Basics: 28 , Male, UK (London)
Background: MEng from top #5 UK University - high 2:1 grade (equivalent to 3.6-3.7 GPA according to Fullbright commission - does anyone have any better guidelines on this?)
720 GMAT (Q47/V42), 7 IR 6 AWA
Work Experience:Since University I moved into Operations;
2 years on a major FMCG Supply Chain Graduate Scheme
18 Months as a Production Shift Manager, managing food factory on shift
Moved to another international consumer products company
2 promotions in 2 years. Currently divisional Production Manager since May 2012, managing team of 25 staff in automated factory with $25m+ annual turnover
Approx 6 years experience at point of applications in September.
Goals:My main criteria for study is outside the UK to gain international experience. I'm looking at top US/EU programmes, although LBS is in as a possible if Finance is difficult.
I'd like to move out of Operations into a high-tech field or another field completely as I'm becoming very production-orientated, and see MBA as a good way of moving into a more commerical field and hitting 'reset' on my career.
Schools:Stanford / Harvard / MIT / INSEAD all feature highly early on, I'm also keen on Toronto (Rotman) as it has an attractive package and working in the US may be difficult after graduation. Reputation of the school is key for me. As I've said, my score was sent to LBS but when being honest with myself I'd be disappointed if I stayed in the UK.
I'd really appreciate some feedback, especially from international students who are successfully making the hop to other countries. How did you research schools effectively without being able to visit?