old salesman

Question

I'm a salesman of a multinational company in India for last 12 yrs(with little career growth).
I'm 37 now.
I got 57% in Economics(graduation)----  .
Do I stand a chance to be in at Wharton,kellogg,Darden,Tuck (provided good GMAT).
Prfessional achievement---worked in three projects in last 6 yrs.
Extracurricular---Spreading interest in meditation.

joy123 · Answer

please Hjort, speak up!!!!!!!!!

Hjort · Answer

What are your goals following the MBA? 
Why these particular schools?

joy123 · Answer

I want to shift to marketing from sales in the short term & further move to gen management in 5yr down the line.
I've chosen the schools basis 3-4 factors
1)Acceptence of three yr undergraduate students.
2)Comparatively experience fetish.
3)Loans without cosignors.
4)Placement stats.

Hjort · Answer

Are you in a leadership position now? 
Do you intend to work in India after the MBA?

joy123 · Answer

A)I do work in a leadership position but in the ground level. No person in the direct payroll of company report to me ; but I control 8 salesman & sales promoters, $30K worth asset and moreover one sunshine business in Calcutta Metro.
 
 B)I am ready to work in any country afterwards.

Hjort · Answer

Can you expand on why you are seeking a fulltime MBA now?

joy123 · Answer

Actually I'm a small town person with little access to internet even 3-4 yrs back and you can coin me late bloomer as well. I've matured late enough to rise to get me exposed to MBA. I felt the need to carry out MBA 3-4 yrs back but that never culminated fruitfully. Last yr I took GMAT with dismal 510 & preparing to sit again.
 After MBA I want to join marketing(brand mgmt etc--switching from sales) in FMCG in which I've got vast exposure. I want to continue in marketing and even can take marketing consulting in stride afterwards.
 While suggesting please take PLCEMENT ASSISTANCE into account.

joy123 · Answer

Please Hjort......

Hjort · Answer

Let's look at this another way- What unique skills, attributes, experiences etc. will you bring to your MBA class? Why should the admissions staff choose you over another candidate?

joy123 · Answer

I've got vast experience in sales & marketing of different food categories & worked in both traditional & super store format.Being a sales guy & having done new project of establishing new products I'm in a position to share my immence knowledge & skills in this area.Above all India becming the happening FMCG market my peers can definitely enrich them by imbibing my inputs.All in all I can share valuable elements of indian market scenario along with dynamics of Indian FMCG market

joy123 · Answer

am I talking sense?

Hjort · Answer

What schools have you looked at in Asia? ISB?

joy123 · Answer

I'm looking westward.

Hjort · Answer

Have you looked at online MBA programs?

joy123 · Answer

Can you please tell me why I should lose hope in getting into a full time MBA.

mba05 · Answer

Dear Joy,

I'm taking the liberty to chime in. I hope my thoughts will be useful.
I hope Hjort is ok with this.

Target Schools:
"Wharton,kellogg,Darden,Tuck (provided good GMAT)" 

Lets look at your candidacy:

Positives:
Sales & Economics (as against the hordes of engineering/ IT guys from India)
"work in a leadership position" (you need to expand on your responsibilities)
multinational company in India (some figures regarding the size, market cap etc would be useful)

Negatives:
Age:37 
57% (if you provide a class rank, then a more objective evaluation could be possible)
"No person in the direct payroll of company report to me ; but I control 8 salesman & sales promoters, $30K worth asset and moreover one sunshine business in Calcutta Metro"


You are up against the best from all over the world. Its going to be an uphill task to say the least. 
It will help if you try to connect with other applicants and see where you stand. 

You shd:
Target a realistic set of schools.
Target min GMAT of 650+ 
Perhaps you have some managerial / leadership positions / community service that you have not stated. You need to project this to the max.
Improve written comm. skills

Disclaimer: Fall 2006 applicant

Hjort · Answer

mba05 has made some excellent points.

I am not trying to make you lose hope in any type of MBA program. I just think it is a good idea to explore a variety of options. Your age is much more of an issue with FT programs than with PT, Exec, or Online options.

Admissions officers can be amazingly risk averse people, especially when they have far more applicants than seats in the class. How will you address the primary admissions risks?

https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=19450

Employment Risk: There might be some fears that you age will complicate employment if recruiters are looking for individuals roughly a decade younger
Academic Risk: GMAT is low relative to the ultra elite/elite schools you mention, college rank is unclear
Social Skills/Class Contribution/Social Communication Risk: unknown
Demographic Risk: Age distinguishes from other candidates
Leadership Risk: unclear

old salesman

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