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MyBschoolApp
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Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Last visit: 13 Jul 2006
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My chances 25 Apr 2006, 22:09
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Hello:

I am trying to evaluate my chances for Fall 2007 at the following schools organized in order of choice
1. Columbia (applying early decision)
2. Tuck
3. Kellogg
4. Darden
5. Cornell
6. Duke

Here is my background:
My B-School application is the only reason I wish I belonged to another race so yes I am an Indian male applicant.
I have a decent academic background:
B.S. Computer Engineer from a top 15 school
Cumulative GPA: 3.3
Major GPA: 3.5
GMAT: 710 (49Q, 38V) - 95%

Work experience:

I was recruited in to a leadership program at a mid size but prestigious engineering firm filled with over ambitious grads flaunting their 4.0 GPAs ( the avg gpa in the dept was a 3.7). I have since moved out of the leadership program after I was promoted to Product Marketing Manager a year after I was recruited. I was one of the youngest people to become a PMM over a span of 2 years (I think 3 other ppl moved up faster)
I now completely manage a $15M product line 1.5 years in to my professional career. And when I say completely, I mean it right from product strategy to product positioning to even determining which products get built.

Why an MBA and why now?

I have always loved strategy and problem solving and analysis has always been my forte. I’ve determined that no matter which corporation I go to, I will need to gain necessary business skills. For example, even though I'm a marketing manager for a technical product, I work on things such as product forecasting and market strategy (6Cs - my company firmly believes that 5Cs is not enough for them to position their products). I also feel the need for switching careers. I find that I love parts of my current job and care less for the others. The part I really love is product positioning aka strategy. Parts I do not care for include nitty-gritty technical specifications meetings which I seem to be involved in for about 20% of my time. I would say my current job is about half business and half engineering and I seem to love the business part a lot more. Since I’ve made my decision that my future career path will be non-technical, I see no point in delaying my application or staying in a technical role any further (Again, because my company makes technical products there is no real job for me there that is completely non-technical) hence the desire to apply now. Furthermore, at the time of enrollment I will have 3 years of experience (I started working in Sept 2004).

Questions that I have:

1. Though I am an Indian citizen, I have lived in the U.S. for the past 7 years (did my undergrad here). Does this make it any easier on me?
2. Am I too young? At the time of application I will have 2 years of experience but at the time of enrollment I will have 3. Which one would B-Schools look at?
3. Are the schools I’m looking at realistic?
4. I know that Columbia is a bit of a stretch but I’m hoping that if I apply for early decision it will show them my commitment and eagerness. Furthermore, I also plan on making class visits at Columbia and Darden.
5. Would you say I have a great shot at any of these schools?


Thanks a bunch

-MBA
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My chances 29 Apr 2006, 12:44
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MyBschoolApp
Hello:

I am trying to evaluate my chances for Fall 2007 at the following schools organized in order of choice
1. Columbia (applying early decision)
2. Tuck
3. Kellogg
4. Darden
5. Cornell
6. Duke

Here is my background:
My B-School application is the only reason I wish I belonged to another race so yes I am an Indian male applicant.
I have a decent academic background:
B.S. Computer Engineer from a top 15 school
Cumulative GPA: 3.3
Major GPA: 3.5
GMAT: 710 (49Q, 38V) - 95%

Work experience:

I was recruited in to a leadership program at a mid size but prestigious engineering firm filled with over ambitious grads flaunting their 4.0 GPAs ( the avg gpa in the dept was a 3.7). I have since moved out of the leadership program after I was promoted to Product Marketing Manager a year after I was recruited. I was one of the youngest people to become a PMM over a span of 2 years (I think 3 other ppl moved up faster)
I now completely manage a $15M product line 1.5 years in to my professional career. And when I say completely, I mean it right from product strategy to product positioning to even determining which products get built.

Why an MBA and why now?

I have always loved strategy and problem solving and analysis has always been my forte. I’ve determined that no matter which corporation I go to, I will need to gain necessary business skills. For example, even though I'm a marketing manager for a technical product, I work on things such as product forecasting and market strategy (6Cs - my company firmly believes that 5Cs is not enough for them to position their products). I also feel the need for switching careers. I find that I love parts of my current job and care less for the others. The part I really love is product positioning aka strategy. Parts I do not care for include nitty-gritty technical specifications meetings which I seem to be involved in for about 20% of my time. I would say my current job is about half business and half engineering and I seem to love the business part a lot more. Since I’ve made my decision that my future career path will be non-technical, I see no point in delaying my application or staying in a technical role any further (Again, because my company makes technical products there is no real job for me there that is completely non-technical) hence the desire to apply now. Furthermore, at the time of enrollment I will have 3 years of experience (I started working in Sept 2004).

Questions that I have:

1. Though I am an Indian citizen, I have lived in the U.S. for the past 7 years (did my undergrad here). Does this make it any easier on me?
2. Am I too young? At the time of application I will have 2 years of experience but at the time of enrollment I will have 3. Which one would B-Schools look at?
3. Are the schools I’m looking at realistic?
4. I know that Columbia is a bit of a stretch but I’m hoping that if I apply for early decision it will show them my commitment and eagerness. Furthermore, I also plan on making class visits at Columbia and Darden.
5. Would you say I have a great shot at any of these schools?


Thanks a bunch

-MBA
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MyBschoolApp,

To go straight to your questions:
1. The fact that you have been in the States since your late teens might help you stand out a bit but its positive impact will be modest.
2. B-schools must evaluate you on the basis of your work experience to date, so you will have 2 years of work experience, which is fine. Two years is about the lower end of length of work experience for the middle 80% of B-school students.
3. The schools you are looking at are realistic. You have an impressive career profile, though demonstrating high-impact community involvements will also be important.
4. Your early decision strategy is a sound one if CBS is indeed your number once choice. I wouldn't discourage you from pursuing it. Campus visits (as well as building a network among their students and alumni) are an essential part of showing a school you really "care."
5. I would say that you have a "great" chance at Cornell, depending on how you define great, and a decent chance at all the other schools. I mean that to sound encouraging!

Good luck,