rbabian wrote:
- 27 yr old, male
- 3.6 GPA BSEE (Cal Poly Pomona), 3.7 MSEE (USC)
- 780 GMAT
- 5 yrs work experience at IBM as a Design Engineer. I have worked on various different projects. I have also managed several projects of teams up to 30 people.
- I have taken several business classes, (Accounting, marketing, etc.) while working to display an aptitude for the business world. I have done fairly well by managing an unoffical 3.92 GPA.
- I have participated and volunteered in the community. I have organized events to help stimulate interest in science & technology amongst young children and especially women.
- As extracurricular, I have organized a local hiking & outdoor activities club for all ages.
- I am IEEE professional organization member and active speaker on technical topics.
1) I would like to get into a top 10 schools. Do i have the credentials to be a competitive candidate?
2) I would like to transitition from technology to business (either finance, management, and/or corporate developement). However, I would like to hold on to my technical roots, by working for a tech company if possible. Which school's MBA program would be best fitted for me?
3) What would be considered my weakness? I would like to improve my chances if possible.
rbabian,
Very strong profile with a head-turning GMAT. I do think you have the credentials for the top 10, yes. If technology management is your focus, then you should probably consider schools like Haas, CMU, Duke, UNC, Kellogg, Wharton, and MIT. I would not discourage you from applying to any of these schools and believe you can be optimistic about CMU, Duke, UNC and guardedly optimistic about Haas and MIT. Wharton and Kellogg will be doable but tougher. Why am I hedging my bets, i.e., what potential weaknesses might hold you back? You have no red flags that I can see, but aside from your GMAT score your profile is not terrifically unusual. It's very strong but comparatively common. From your moniker I am assuming you are South Asian? If so, that also makes your application a (numerically, demographically) common one. So this is your "weakness." To compensate for it you need to use your essays to emphasize what is distinctive about you and perhaps even seek out some distinctive experiences in the coming months. A consultant can help you identify the distinctive material and present it in a distinctive way.
Good luck,
close
02 Jul 2007, 02:31
. You are basically me (in GMAT score, ECs, similar work experience and leadership, post MBA plan) just a little bit better at everything. This is going to be a rough year. Good luck. 
