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wunsun
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Joined: 14 May 2014
Last visit: 03 May 2015
Posts: 25
Own Kudos:
72
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: General Management, Operations
GPA: 3.15
Posts: 25
Kudos: 72
Profile Evaluation - Mechanical Engineer with 700 (Q49&V36) 25 Jul 2014, 18:21
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Good evening,

I would like some assistance in getting some direction for some good engineering MBA schools. I would like to apply for the MBA programs that start in the fall of 2016.

Demographic & Academics
I got a GMAT score of AWA 6, IR 7 and overall score of 700 (Q49 & V36). I am a 26 year old male Chinese-Canadian born in Canada. I went to University of Ottawa and received at BASc in Mechanical Engineering. My overall GPA over the four years was was a 3.15. However, my GPA over the last two years was 3.62. This was calculated using using McMaster's GPA Conversion Chart to translate my score into a 4.0 average - https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/stude ... chart.html. I was also the first of my family to go to University. My low GPA was due to the fact that I did not develop the critical study habits in high school; high school was easy enough to get 80s and 90s without much studying which was simply not possible in University. Once I developed the study habits, my GPA steadily improved, but I had a deep hole to dig myself out of - had a overall GPA of 2.15 at one point.

I originally was planning to go to University of Ottawa Telfer's School of Management which had a median GPA mark of 627. However, I received a 700 score and unfortunately did not plan for success very well.

Work Experience
I work at a tier 1 automotive supplier as a project engineer. This job actually prompted me to pursue the MBA since I really enjoyed project management. I love that I could learn the different facets of the entire spectrum of the program versus getting tied down to one very specific area. Some days I would deal with quality issues, other days I would deal with design issues; the project engineer position allowed my thirst for knowledge and my curiosity to be fulfilled. Unfortunately, since the engineering department is relatively small (10-15 engineers for a company with approximately 500 employees), there is really no job advancement possibilities in the near future. The two positions that is above me is filled by managers that have been with the companies 10+ years and is 10+ years older than me. I have received two raises over the last two years when raises have been official frozen.

From a management standpoint, I manage, from an engineering side, products that bring in a revenue of 5-10 million dollars (rough estimate) yearly into the company. I do not have any direct staff that report to me, however, since I manage a program, I bring many resources together to resolve the problems and take a lead in working through the problem to a final solution. I interact directly with customers and suppliers to understand their issues and concerns and do what we can from a company standpoint to alleviate those concerns.

I have worked this job for 2 years and by the time I start my MBA, I will have 4 years worth of experience.

Extracurricular
From a straight extracurricular point of view, I play a lot of badminton, used to be at the provincial level as a junior. At the club I play with, I try to help out the younger and less experienced members in developing their skills. The area where I now work is a much smaller community than where I was originally from, so the overall skill is much lower than I am used to, so I do what I can to help them out.

From a volunteer prospective, this is my weak point. Only place I really volunteer is with the social club at work. I will do what I can to remedy this, but nothing in the recent pass is really noteworthy.

Future
I want to stay as an engineering focused manager, a very general goal would be to VP of engineering of a fortune 500 company. My very specific goal currently is get some experience in aerospace, specifically Bombardier/Pratt & Whitney as a project lead/manger, and then possibly move to SpaceX/ULA afterwards, again as a project manager. The MBA is to shore up what I perceive to my weaker skill set, finance, but to improve myself in management skills.

Target Schools
University of Ottawa
HEC
McGill
Carleton
Rotman? - From what I know, school is more in tune finance/consulting
Ross - From what I hear, its a good engineering MBA school
Sloan? - Not sure if I would have a chance, but going to MIT would be awesome - I guess dream school? Definitely reach school, if not straight up unrealistic

What other options should I even consider for a engineering focused general management school? I do want to stay in North America, preferably in the North-East. I do not want to switch career paths and would like to know schools that can aid me in my management skill development.

Please evaluate my profile and suggest other schools to apply to. Also thanks for making it through my entire profile. ^^

Thanks
wunsun