Master Thread for all EMBA Profile Evaluations

Question

This thread is the master profile evaluations thread for Executive MBA applications only. We do not want random profile evaluation threads everywhere on the forum. This will help people get some consolidated (and free :P ) advice from consultants and help others learn as well.

Post your profile here if you want!

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Background and nationality
Undergrad Information
GMAT:
Work experience and leadership
Community and others
Post MBA goals
Anything else?

Hi,
Can somebody evaluate my profile and recommend any good b-schools for E-MBA around Pittsburgh, PA. I would also consider an online program. I would say an E-MBA that I could travel to within 4 to 5 hour drive for monthly or every other weekend classes.

1. Doctorate of Pharmacy from West Virginia University GPA 3.6
2. WE: 10 years, currently strategy consultant for a Top 5 health insurance company, previously director for a medium-small size home infusion company and manager of a pharmacy. 
3. 34 y/o male
4. Looking to move up the ranks at my current position but also want to keep my options open.

Thanks,
Ryan

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

If you're absolutely dead set on online programs which I frankly don't recommend, I would recommend IE, which hasI a little bit more credibility due to its hybrid nature. And the at UNC option as well for the same reason. Online mbas are really more suited to just building skills, and potentially getting promoted at work (check into this first!) but not helpful in terms of career switching

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

fenny32 · Answer

I'm actually most interested in E-MBA programs. See my original post. Thank you for your help and I agree that the online options would not be ideal. Any further suggestions?

Thanks,
Ryan

fenny32 · Answer

E-MBA maybe was confusing I meant executive MBA (EMBA).

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Ryan, I misread your post, thinking that you meant in E-MBA as an electronic MBA or something. I would recommend Tepper part-time or hybrid, or Wharton EMBA. The format with Wharton is that you would need to be there every 3 weeks to spend the whole weekend there but it's definitely enhancing the value of your MBA by having that face-to-face in-person experience.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Haha! That's exactly what happened :-)

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

fenny32 · Answer

Do you think with my profile I could get in to Wharton? I have applied to Katz and UNC online. Folks in Pittsburgh have told me that Katz is the better program with better network unless you plan to work for google or move out of the area.

I was also considering Michigan (Ross).

Thoughts?

I was also considering Michigan (Ross).

Thoughts?

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

When you say that Pittsburgh is the better program do you mean better than Tepper? Rather than talking with people in Pittsburgh I would really discuss it with your employer and potentially other Employers in Pittsburgh that you would be selling this degree to. But life is unpredictable and if you leave Pittsburgh I definitely think CMU is going to be far better on your resume. Is Detroit within a 4-5 hour driving distance from Pittsburgh? If so then yes absolutely Ross would be terrific choice and of course nice that you don't have to take the GMAT for that. With regards to your question about Wharton, impossible to tell without having a test score to look at. They do have a really good emphasis on health care, which would be a good argument for fit.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

fenny32 · Answer

Yes, as compared to CMU. A much larger network in Pittsburgh with Katz MBA. I would agree though that Tepper would be easier to sell. Yes, Ann Arbor is about 4 hours from me. Wharton/Philadelphia is about 5 hours. I like that Michigan only meets monthly as well. Katz and CMU are 30 minutes. Katz EMBA is 80k, CMU and Ross are both around 150k. Thanks for you help!

fenny32 · Answer

Last question - Have you heard of any of these programs we have mentioned providing scholarships?

Thanks again,
Ryan

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

I guess a lot of this really has to do with your goals if you plan to stay in Pittsburgh and work to the same employer or if you might down the road be moving. With a strategy Consulting background I honestly think going for the better brand would give you the higher are ROI. Another good EMBA program that meets once a month is Darden in DC. Honestly if you're going to do this once a month you might really just lift the geographic boundaries a bit and take a flight, because that really might be the better way to leverage your time overall so that you don't have to take so much time off of work and everything. I think Kellogg Miami would be an outstanding choice.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

No, merit scholarships are generally reserved for full-time students that are applying to an MBA program where they have a stats that are higher than the average. Need-based scholarships are a different animal.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

just want to make you aware of that for the Kellogg Miami monthly, no GMAT required, which is honestly an awesome opportunity for people who aren't that great at standardized tests.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

I checked with a colleague of mine about the emba scholarship thing and he said extremely rare, however if so GMAT GPA ethnicity are the drivers of that.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

fenny32 · Answer

Thank you for the information. I don't think I'll be able to swing the Kellogg EMBA it would put me out of the office a lot and I can't afford the tuition, but thanks for the information I wish I could do it. I'll probably apply to Michigan, UNC online along with Katz that I already applied to. Maybe CMU as well after I take the GMAT.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

I would also throw Wharton on the list if your test scores come out well. Also strong and Healthcare like Kellogg, if you're going to drive 4 hours something anyway why not do it Philadelphia. I think it would probably lead to a major salary increase in the area of healthcare strategy Consulting. In my opinion when it comes to the MBA why fly to Paris and eat peanut butter sandwiches. It's not going to be cheap but it's worth investing in a really strong brand to get the ROI that you are looking for. Recommend you checking in on this with recruiters for the job that you plan to apply to, the end purchaser of this education. Ross is a very impressive program as well. Get in touch with me if you're interested in working with someone on your applications.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

fenny32 · Answer

After taking your advice I applied to Darden EMBA and Cornell EMBA Americas. I have been admitted to both programs. I would have to wait until next year to apply to UPENN and I'm not getting any younger. Kellogg I seriously considered applying too as well but logistics were tough for me so I didn't. I looked at some others as well such MIT, Columbia basically all the top programs many of which now waive the GMAT altogether or in lieu of an executive assessment. In the end though Darden and Cornell were the two programs within a 4 hour drive that were least disruptive to my career. 
I'd like to get into consulting, IB, or healthcare VC post mba. What would your advice be? Thanks!

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Well gosh you have to narrow it down a little bit. Darden is planning to ramp up their focus on Consulting and they already have pretty decent numbers for a consult thing already. It's a very strong brand and I kind of am more inclined to go that direction. Have you visited or tonic last visit or anything like that? If not I really encourage you to do that every one thinks these schools are kind of similar but they are not and have very unique culture is. So that really might be a way to make that choice if you are really undecided about your post MBA goal

https://MBAPrepCoach.COM

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Sorry about the voice text errors! https://MBAPrepCoach.COM

Narenn · Answer

This thread is the master profile evaluations thread for Executive MBA applications only. We do not want random profile evaluation threads everywhere on the forum. This will help people get some consolidated (and free :P ) advice from consultants and help others learn as well.

Post your profile here if you want!

Suggested Template

Background and nationality
Undergrad Information
GMAT:
Work experience and leadership
Community and others
Post MBA goals
Anything else?

Master Thread for all EMBA Profile Evaluations

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