GMAT = 750 Q50 V40, GRE = Score range Q750-800 V670-770 (exact results on new scale to follow in Nov)
Age = 26
Location = India
Experience = 5 years (all in Microsoft)
Current position = Program Manager
Experience = Program Manager (1+ year), Software engineer (4 years)
Goals = Product Manager in an exciting tech product company in Silicon Valley in the short term, Senior leader (VP/GM) in a high growth tech product company
Career growth rate = Slightly above average - not star-studded
Extra curricular activities = Very limited
Academics = Good GPA (~3.8) from a reputed engineering school (Delhi School of Engineering)
Manage reports? No
International experience? No
My primary motivation to get into a graduate degree course is mainly to get a break as a PM in the bay area. However, I would like to stay away from MS in Computer Science because I do not want to do a technical course right now. At the same time I do not want to over spend both time as well as money. Therefore I would love to go for a school in which I could get a scholarship.
So far I have narrowed down on California schools - Haas, Anderson and Marshall. I also want to apply to McCombs because of its association with tech sector. I am confused about other colleges.
Please advice
1) What other schools should I apply to for my goals to stay within tech industry?
2) I am not aiming for the top 10 schools except Haas. Am I aiming too low?
3) Any other courses I should consider? (I am already applying for MEM courses)
4) Does it make sense to study from East Coast if my target is to work in California after MBA?
With your grade, your GMAT score, and your work experience, I think you can put in another bid in the top 10. Since you're focusing on tech, MIT Sloan pops into my mind directly and honestly, I think you have a shot (you'll need luck, but everyone needs that). I think Anderson and Marshall will be good spots for you and Haas is a great choice. There are no other 'courses' that you need to worry about and no, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to study from east coast but aiming for west coast. I'd like to elaborate a bit on this - it'll take extra effort from you if you attend an east-coast school but wish to work on the west coast. With that in mind, you'll have to put in additional financial resource to fly around to meet with representatives. Depending on the company you want to work for, if it's global, they might go to the east coast school and therefore, makes it easier on you. But I've seen people who go to east coast school but worked on the west coast afterwards. It'll depend on how much work you put in and how lucky you get.