Profile evaluation

Question

Hey there,

I am an international student from Uzbekistan who wishes to apply to a full-time MBA program in the US with possible start in Fall semester, 2015. I would be very thankful if someone could give me any kind of feedback looking through my profile (chances to be accepted, advice on schools to attend etc.). I am currently 23 years old.

- Graduated from IT College in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (teaching language - Russian) with a GPA of 3.7 in 2010. (GPA has been converted from original source because of difference between grading systems) 
- Expected 3.8 overall GPA from a top state university of Uzbekistan (standard 4 years), located in Tashkent (capital), (teaching language - Russian), with a major in Economics with a special focus on China (expected graduation date - June, 2015). I had 4.0 GPA last 2 semesters and I suppose that this tendency will go on. (GPA has been converted from original source because of difference between grading systems) 
- Received a 2012-2013 UGRAD (Fulbright Undergraduate) scholarship to able to study in the US for a year. Spent a year in the US attending one of Cal State Universities with a total GPA of 3.5 for 2 consecutive semesters (made Dean`s list once) 
- Had an internship for 4 months as an event-coordinator`s assistant in UN Regional Office for Central Asia - (2012) 
- Had a paid internship for 5 months in the US working as business associate for an international freight forwarding company ($1.5 million revenue in FY 2012) - (2013) (was very tough to get in since I was an international student without US citizenship) 
- Completed a two-month community service while being in the US 
- Participated in enormous amount of conferences all across the globe including Harvard University MUN and UCLA MUN as well as business and marketing conferences of various kind (mostly being a leader of my country/delegation/team) 
- As a member of American Marketing Association, was among those who received a presidential award for outstanding organization of the year, 2013 
- Is currently working in a local consulting firm as a marketing associate (part-time) 
- Knows 5 languages, including Russian, Uzbek (native language), English, German (intermediate) and Chinese (intermediate) 
- Plays piano and guitar (if it matters here). 
- Haven`t taken GMAT yet but aiming for 700-720 range

I am planning to start my full-time MBA program as soon as I will be done with my undergraduate work. I am still considering various kinds of concentrations but I suppose that I will go for something close to marketing or information systems since I`ve already received some experience. 
I am still searching for good schools which can provide me with full scholarship since even a good partial scholarship from good schools may be insufficient.

Please do not hesitate to provide me with any kind of advice concerning my profile. 
I highly appreciate your time!

Admissionado · Answer

Hello there! So, you seem to be doing pretty great. You have fantastic grades! You have some interesting exchange program, speak a lot of languages, and have good internships. So, so far all is awesome. What you are missing though is work experience!

To apply to an MBA program you will need to have a minimum of three years experience!!! So you may have to wait a while until you actually apply. But that is a good thing. It gives you a lot of time to make your profile awesome. First, by acing that GMAT of course, and second by doing well in your work, while making sure you have some good extra activities and community service on the side as well. If you have any further questions or comments, don't hesitate, Best, JF

Provoid · Answer

Thank you very much for your reply Jon

Frankly writing, I am in a very special situation right now. 
I will graduate next year from my university as I mentioned above in my profile. This is true and I know it for sure that MBA programs require future MBA students to have at least 2-3 years of professional experience. However, I planning to emigrate to the US and I think that it will be difficult to find any position there with my current diploma. That is why I thought that MBA might be a good option for me to consider which in my opinion will certainly boost my chances to find a well-paid job in the future and give me a chance to make a good use of skills that I have. Writing more precisely about my future plans, I want to assert the fact that I want to work for international business/international marketing company after graduation and as a long term goal I have a plan to open my own business.

That is why I still have some questions unanswered and I would be very glad if you could help.

1) I`ve been working in a local consulting firm as a marketing associate since June 2013 (40+ hours a week - from 1 pm till 8 pm every day including Saturdays) - will it be considered as a full time position?
2) I know that I need to submit two letters of recommendations from my supervisors - may I translate a letter of recommendation written by my current supervisor in Russian? Moreover I know that adcom may call my supervisor and talk to him about my recommendation letters (eventually I am asking because he does not speak any English and will not respond to adcom questions properly) - what should I do?
3) I heard that top schools don`t usually give full scholarships to students. Having in mind that this is the only possibility for me, do I need to consider middle range schools then?

Thank you very much for assistance - you are really making my life easier.

Admissionado · Answer

Aha! I see.

The only problem is your plan doesn't fit in with the schools' plan. So if you want/need to emigrate NOW, my advice is: push off the MBA for the moment, and apply to a professional Masters that doesn't require work experience: Finance, Economics, Mathematics, whatever interests you that might get you closer to your goals.

What do you think? What other Masters might you be interested in?

Provoid · Answer

Hi, and thank you once again for your reply.

In one of the posts here in gmatclub forum somebody mentioned some great school which offer deferred admissions. How would you evaluate my chances to get admitted there?

Moreover, I didn`t quite understand the concept of deferred admission - will I need to pay the same amount of money as ordinary MBA students do every year while waiting for my actual MBA to begin or will I be able to earn some money while working being a deferred admission student to finance my MBA degree??

In addition, do you know any top school which provides educational loans to international students???
 
Thank you very much for your assistance!

Admissionado · Answer

Hey,
So deferred admission is that basically you get in, with the knowledge and agreement that you will do something for a few years before you go. You will likely have to pay the deposit (say 10,000 or so) but only pay tuition when you attend. But there aren't thaaaat many deferred MBAs. Harvard Stanford and Yale have them... but they are NOT easy programs to get into.

so you might want to consider, like I wrote doing say a Masters in Finance (which has no work requirements) then getting a job, and in five years, you can reconsider the MBA. Otherwise you are leaving yourself very few options.

Best,
JF

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