Profile Evaluation

Question

Hi Paul,

I have been working as Database Admin ( Information Technology) for the last 5 years with less leadership/ management experience and

Here is my profile:

Undergrad - 2.8 GPA (raw conversion of 70% of marks from an indian university)

This , i know, is really a poor GPA. but i have an explanation. The medium of instruction for whole of my schooling (that includes high school too) was in my mother language. Where as the medium of instruction in my undergrade was English. It took sometime to get adjusted and there is a evidence of proof too as i maintained 2.6 GPA for the first two years and little better 2.92 GPA for the last two of years of undergrad.

Masters - 3.0 GPA from New Jersey Inst of Tech ( not a steller perfornce here too, but i dont need to explain, i hope!)

Work Experience : Total 5 years. 3 years of working experience in India as Database Admin ( IT ) and 2 years working experience in USA as Database Admin again (at IBM and KPMG) . Led couple of small sub projects. Even though i have not exposed to lead peoples at my work, i have been progressing all along ( from software developer to junior DBA to senior DBA) and also i have the experience of leading some small sub projects.

Community Service : Did some community service during my high school days ( teaching uneducated people to read and write in their mother language) and continued it in undergrad too ( organized couple of yout leadership camps) . Did some community service during masters as a tutor for underprivileged high school kids ( organized by the NJIT ).

GMAT : planning to take early next year and expectin a 700 - 740 score.

I am planning to apply for 2010. I am planning to take some extra courses in Quants ( statistcs, calculus etc) and in management ( Accounts, microeconomics etc) to mitigate my low undergard GPA. I hope i will score A's in all those extra courses.As i have 2 more years to go , i belive i can add more community services too into my profile.

Last but not least, i do want to stay in IT after MBA, so i want to do technology oriented concentration like Management of Infromation Systems/ Genl Management.

1.what is my chance of getting admitted into any one of the following schools?

Cornell, CMU ( Tepper ), U of Maryland ( Smith), Yale and UV Darden.

2.I will turn 31 and no of years of experience will be 8 while applying for B-Schools in 2010, is that too old to get admitted into those schools i mentioned in my last question?

3.Please suggest me some safe/backup schools.

Thanks , 
Nanchil

Accepted.com · Answer

Nanchil,

A 740 or higher GMAT will go a decent way toward compensating for your GPA. Of greater concern is the leadership. It's imperative that you find a major leadership role outside of work such as board of directors of community organization, or role coordinating multiple volunteers, or starting own NGO to compensate for lack of leadership in your career. Your age to some extent but more importantly the demographics of your profile (male, Indian, IT) hurt you: B-schools seek diverse class so can only admit a limited number from any one demographic. Darden and Yale will be tough, but everyone should apply to some longshots. Cornell and CMU seem doable. Your chances at Maryland should be good. Also consider UC Irvine, Boston U. and U. Arizona.

Good luck,

nanchilguy · Answer

Thanks for your inputs Paul, Thats Great!! Indeed its good to know that Cornell and CMU are reachable . I hope to get some leadership postion in next two years, also i will try to explore the options of having some leadership position outside the work.

Thanks,
Nanchil

Thanks,
 Nanchil

Accepted.com · Answer

You're welcome and good luck.

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