Profile evaluation

Question

Undergrad GPA: 4.0
Graduate GPA: 4.0
Both degrees in Russian Studies.
Overseas experience: 5 years (2 as a student in Russia, 3 as an English/Russian teacher in Germany)
Work: 3 years English/Russian teacher as freelance business and employed at various schools
Languages: English (native), Russian (Fluent), German (Fluent), Spanish (Intermediate - learning), Ukrainian (Learning)
GMAT: 710 M 45 V 41
Age: 30

I'm obviously a career-changer. I want to take my language skills and international experience and enter the energy or high-tech field. What sort of schools should I be looking at? I have a daughter and a wife looking for a medical residency program in the US? I would like to get the best value possible with the best education, since I really need the retraining.

So far I've applied to UT, USC, A&M, and Oklahoma (Price) as a safety. Are those within my range? Should I take a shot at a top program, though my work experience is not traditional at all?

Your help is appreciated,

Michael Nichols

bryantmichaels · Answer

Michael I am so glad you asked. Your profile is actually exactly the kind of unique offering that b-schools look for to fill niche's in their programs so they don't end up with all bankers, consultants and accountants. Pharmacists, entrepreneurs, social workers, translators, farmers--you name it, all have a decent shot at business school, especially someone like you, with such a stellar academic record and GMAT score. I would highly encourage you to aim high and pick 2-3 other schools to "reach for" in your application process. As a shameless plug, you would likely find a great deal of value in using a consultant as you navigate these waters of the top 10. The key will be in how you cast your long term vision and how you demonstrate that your past has been ideal preparation for b-school and beyond considering this vision.

soonerliberty · Answer

Thanks a lot for your reply. I think I will give a shot at Columbia and Chicago. My main requirement is that each place have a lot of residency opportunities for my wife and the option of Ukrainian school for my daughter. Perhaps I will fail, but I think it's worth a shot.

I probably have no chance at scholarships at those schools, though, which is a massive concern of mine.

Thanks

I'll think about the admissions consulting, but I'm a broke English teacher

.

bryantmichaels · Answer

Look at Duke --lots of medical opportunities. not sure about daughter's school, but duke is very interested in non-traditional candidates.

soonerliberty · Answer

Are those schools not interested non-traditional? I like Duke, but logistically it would be difficult, because my wife will be a foreign medical graduate and if she does her residency there, we will be at Duke for 4 years given the timing of her USMLEs. Any other schools I should look at?

I hate to waste your time, but thank you for your efforts.

I hate to waste your time, but thank you for your efforts.

bryantmichaels · Answer

You are wise targeting big cities...in addition to Chicago and NY (great schools you have chosen) also look at UCLA Anderson in Los Angeles and Emory or GA Tech in Atlanta all of which have medical community.

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