Profile for MBA-please evaluate

Question

Hi, 

Please could you evaluate my profile and let me know the schools that I should target and my chances. 

Age: 28 Indian Female
Work Ex-4+ yrs in Environmental Engg. Consulting 
Licenses: Registered PE
Grad GPA: 3.6
Undergrad GPA: 4.0

Leadership: 
Leading Company's Sustainable Business Development Strategy
Pacific Northwest Section Rep (Society for Women Engg-SWE)

Volunteer Work:
Volunteer time with Non-profit supporting education for children in India
Volunteering work for Tsunami Relief Efforts

Post MBA Goal:
Shift to Corporate Strategy for CSR or Sustainable Development

Target Schools:
HBS
MIT
Stanford
Cal Berkeley

Any additional information to evaluate the profile? 

Thanks for your help.

scottshrum · Answer

Your environmental engineering background and your interest in sutainable development connect with each other nicely, and this should help you stand out some in the applicant pool.

Regarding extracurriculars, your leadership experiences sound more interesting that your volunteer work. Remember to go for quality, not quantity... Something where you've showed continuous commitment is much more valuable than something we're you've just volunteered a few times.

If you're interested in CSR, be sure to consider Yale. Also, as Kellogg alum, I can tell you that CSR is big and growing there. Also, if you're interested in Northwestern's law school, we offer  law school admissions consulting  services.

Scott

bozo190101 · Answer

Thanks for the evaluation Scott. I wasn't aware of Yale's program with a focus on CSR. 

Yeah my volunteer work is really over a period of 4 years that I have been associated with this organization. 

I am hoping to get into CSR because that ties my Environmental background. But really I want to get more into Corporate Strategy/Marketting type of a thing. 

The biggest reason for the MBA is that big corporations don't consider my background substantial for such roles, they are looking for an MBA even though CSR and Sustainable Business Development is my area. 

Any ideas on what the best strategy for making a really good case would be?

scottshrum · Answer

I actually don't think that this will be much of an issue for you. As long as you show that you have the intellect and leadership abilities, those corporations won't care much about yoru background. Most people in business school are career switchers!

Scott

bozo190101 · Answer

Thanks Scott. True..but I also think that I might stand a better chance at one of the larger Consulting frims in Corporate Strategy armed with an MBA. 

Yes, I don't want a dramatic switch from Engineering to Finance but I want to be more marketable and diverse with my skill sets and enter the BD area versus the technical track. 

Now start the GMAT grind. Thanks for your insight. Saw your website really neat and the article in Business Week. It's great that you guys have taken this initiative to help all GMAT hopefuls. 

On a side note: what do you think of a career in Sustainable BD and CSR in the current context of things? 

Thanks a ton! 
Joyeeta

scottshrum · Answer

I think it's VERY relevant in today's market. If anything, it has the potential to overheat and maybe be the "it" career choice (like private equity today) over the next few years. But this is probably the best time ever to try and get into CSR.

Scott

bozo190101 · Answer

Thanks a ton! For the advice will keep you posted on the proceedings...

Profile for MBA-please evaluate

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