Please evaluate my chances

Question

Hi,

Please have a look at my profile and help me come up with a list of B schools to apply to (Fall 2006)

1. 28 years, Female, Indian
2. Expected GMAT score: 700+ (Will be taking it up next month)
3. Qualifications: B.E (Electronics & Communications) - 75%
4. Work Experience: Almost 6 years in 3 different MNCs (3.5 yrs Siemens, < 1 yr in Hughes and in Intel since early last year) in India. Have experience working with different geos. Been on short term deputations to Europe and US.
5. Recommendations: Can get good ones from ex-boss and ex-colleague. Not from current employer
6. Community Service - Involved in small activites but nothing too great to write about
7. Misc - Though I don't have an official managerial position, I have been leading small teams and involved in mentoring juniors.

My questions are:
1. Which schools should I apply to (US, Canada, Europe) considering scholarships and aid?
2. Any loop holes in my profile that I should work towards?

Thanks a lot.

Accepted.com · Answer

To answer your questions:

1) What do you want to do after your MBA? Where do you want to settle after your MBA?
2) There are minior weaknesses that you should be able to address or ameliorate:
A. Lack of  community service  since you left college. The best move here is to start doing something now.
B. No recs from your current boss. This can and should be explained.
C. Limited leadership experience. You have to make the most of what you have done as a team lead.

Good luck!

guhapriya · Answer

Hi Linda

Thanks for the quick assessment of weaknesses in my profile.

Elaborating more on my career goals:
I am looking at leveraging my managerial career in the technology industry after getting my MBA. So, my focus is on Gen Management in schools which have good placements in tech/ engineering firms.

With this in mind, I have shortlisted Purdue and McCombs. Please suggest other schools that would suit my profile.

Thanks.

Accepted.com · Answer

Good choices. Also consider Carnegie Mellon, Carlson, Eller, Maryland, UNC, Duke,

Good luck!

cont_halt · Answer

Dear Linda,

This is an exerpt from your write up on community service.

"If you come from a country like the US where service is encouraged, then service is almost mandatory at the top schools. Remember, community service has a broad definition, but some form of community service is important to your application's success. "

This suggests that Admissions committees might be more forgiving to non-US students for their lack of public service. Is that right ?

I am in a dilemma on what would I be considered. I have lived in US for 7-8 years but will not be a resident/citizen at the time of application. Will I be a international student or a us student ?

Accepted.com · Answer

That's true, particularly for nationalities that don't send a lot of applicants to b-school. Since the schools want diversity, they will occasionally compromise on community service if an otherwise qualified candidate applies from an "under-represented" background and lacks community service.

You will be considered someone who grew up abroad but has lived in the US for the last 7-8 years. The adcom will realize perhaps that the tradition of community service is not as strong in your home country. But if compatriots do apply with community service and you don't have it, you will still be at a disadvantage.

Good luck!

Please evaluate my chances

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