demosthenes810 wrote:
Just looking for some feedback on my chances and right expectations with regard to B-school opportunities.
I am a US citizen recently turned 31, GMAT 720 pretty evenly split, poor GPA in undergrad (like 2.6) with some Fs/Ws (was busy working at a successful startup) - I was double majored in Math and Computer Science, current job is Senior Director at Oracle. I have led teams and organizations as large as 75 people. I have been a software engineer, a sales consultant, director of offshore development living overseas, technical lead for IT implementations that we did at large financial companies and various other roles in my career since 2005. Only 2 companies in my history but very varied roles in both with clear path of consistently being promoted/more responsibility.
I am obviously concerned with regard to my undergrad grades but wondering if perhaps some schools value work experience and GMAT more vs GPA, and thus might make sense as better targets. To be honest my career is going quite well outside of that and I am unlikely to want to drop my good six figure salary for the time period, so also wondering if part time/online opportunities are at all worthwhile in this situation. Goal is to expand my knowledge base, prepare better for the next career level which would be VP or potentially step out and do something new with a good team.
Your GMAT score is good. I assume you will have 9 years of experience by the time of enrolment. This is on a higher side. You need to have a strong reason if you are aiming for a full-time MBA. As you are inclined towards executive MBA, I am not a big fan of executive MBA. I havent seen many people changing their careers dramatically after their MBA. If you want to grow your career in your current organization or your current industry, an executive MBA is good enough. It is very difficult to change your career with an executive MBA program. You might want to explore the executive MBA programs at top schools (Chicago Booth, Columbia EMBA Global, Haas, etc).
Having said that, a part time MBA program totally depends on your requirements and flexibility.
1. Your future aspirations( If you want to continue in your field post MBA or choose a new one)
2. Flexibility of your job ( Weekend, evening classes to be adjusted with your work timings)
3. Finances ( Costs less than a normal MBA and you can continue your job)
4. Network ( Your social and professional networks will be limited as you won’t spend as much time as you can for a normal program)
5. Fee reimbursement ( You can ask your employer to sponsor your program, given if you committed your future with them)
If you can manage all these key points you can target part time programs; almost all the top schools offer them. Good luck.
Good luck!
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14 Nov 2013, 22:24
