Thanks for the post. To be honest, your chances are very, very good.
Traditionally, Kellogg's had the strongest ties to the consulting industry. Some might argue that since you want to go work for a Big 4 firm, then you should go the route of Chicago Booth. However, I strongly believe that since you want to move into the IT part of these companies, you should keep the focus on Kellogg. All of the above being said, you really can't go wrong either school. Kellogg has always been a top five school and Chicago Booth seems to make headlines and every MBA related periodical that I peruse.
What it will come down for you Is your ability to stand out on paper. Remember the stereotype associated with IT type applicants. They are smart, but they are boring. They may be right most of the time, but their solutions are overly technical. They may know exactly what to do, but they will have trouble communicating it. They may be even be strong contributors in the class, but not the person you want to hang out with outside of class. I know all this because I was the IT/engineering applicant.
While I don't know too much about your basic writing style, I have seen this with my technical applicants and I caution you against it -- do not be overly technical in your writing, speak in plain terms and keep the explanations to a minimum. If you have to overly explain something to the admissions committee it sucks up valuable work out. If you have gotten halfway through an essay and you're still describing a situation, you really need to reconsider if you are writing about a situation where if you are writing about you and your contributions. Additionally, being overly explanatory is poor communication, but even worse, it could be completely insulting to the reader. avoid this at all costs.
Of course I know that it benefits me to recommend the services of an admissions consultant. You get that and I get that. I recommend getting a phone call with me for an hour. If you have any essays in progress, you can send them my way as well and I will give it an initial review. I want to see what your writing style is and if I can honestly help you. I would also provide if you a few examples of what the bar should be. So that you understand what you're getting into.
The bottom line is that you have an extremely competitive candidacy and it would be a shame if it was fumbled because of essays that were off point.
Please e-mail me at
MBA@amerasiaconsulting.com, if you're interested in a free initial consultation.
Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti
driege wrote:
Basic Information: 24 year old white male, live in Chicago
Undergrad: 3.9 GPA from Notre Dame in Management Information Systems. I graduated summa cum laude and won the management award for my class.
GMAT: 770 (49Q, 47V)
Work Experience: 2+ years (3 by the time of matriculation) of work in IT audit for one of the Big 4 accounting firms. My job title is consultant because in addition to IT auditing, I have worked on advisory projects as well. I have experience in supervising other team members I should have good recommendations from my managers.
Other activities:
- core team member of an international group for work (help welcome people who are internationally deployed)
- active member of local alumni group, member of the service committee (organize and participate in a monthly service project)
- active in recruiting campus hires (attended career fairs, gave presentations)
- In college, I volunteered for a free legal services organization. I also tutored other students for the college of business
Career ambitions:
I would like to change trajectory and enter the field of IT strategy consulting before ultimately starting my own technology company.
I really would like to stay in Chicago, both for convenience and because the Chicago schools have the strongest networks for where I want to work) so I am hoping to attend either Booth or Kellogg. I am open to other suggestions as well. What do you think of my chances?
Thanks!