Do I have a competitive profile?

Question

Hi Linda,

Thank you for all of your advice here on this forum -- even though it's advice for other people, a lot of us get quite a bit out of it. I had a couple of questions for you, but first, here's my profile:

White male, 26 

Undergrad degree:
Computer science, University of Michigan, GPA 3.7/4.0

Experience:
4 years of writing software/managing development in a small business ( < 10 people) for, suprisingly, the software industry.

Extracurricular:
Eagle scout, manage & develop 2 open source software projects, currently studying Tang Soo Do (martial arts) for 2.5 years, 1.5 years to black belt.

GMAT:
750 (Q50, V41)

Probable MBA concentrations:
Entrepeuership, IT, maybe VC?

Post-MBA goals:
Either start a software business, or become an IT consultant. Possibly work in developing software for finance, maybe a spider fund?

My questions to you would be:
1. Am I competitive at HBS, MIT, Kellogg, Michigan, Texas, Chicago?

2. What part of my profile could I improve this late in the game? Will last minute community service look contrived?

3. I've heard a rumor that schools don't like you if you did undergrad there, because of "lack of diversity." Since I did my undergrad at Michigan, should I even apply there? 

4. What's the probability of merit-based scholarships for my profile? Would it be totally unqualified to expect any? Should I look for this only from the trans-elites?

5. What other schools would you recommend? (Haas, Carnegie Mellon, Tuck, etc.?) 

Thanks Linda!

Best Regards,
The IT guy

Accepted.com · Answer

You're most welcome. THanks for the feedback.

To answer your questions:
1) You have a competitive profile for all the schools you list with HBS (surprise!) being the least likely admit.
2) Are you an Eagle Scout or leading a troop of Eagle Scouts? Why isn't your open source project  community service ? I'm not sure you lack community service. You don't mention any international exposure. If you could incorporate an int'l element in your at this point, it would add to your profile.
3) You certainly should apply to Michigan if you want to go there. What frequently happens is that a lot of people who live close to a given school apply, especially if it is a public U with in-state tuition. Since schools value diversity and that includes geographic diversity, competition intensifies among applicants from that state. That doesn't mean that Ross doesn't accept anyone who went to Ross as an undergrad and it also doesn't mean you should apply.
4) I am not an expert on financial aid. You probably have a chance of some aid at the schools you list. In general your chances of merit-based aid will increase as you go down the rankings.
5) Haas, UCLA, CMU, UT, Tuck, Wharton.

Good luck!

theitguy · Answer

Hi Linda,

Thanks for the great info, that puts me in the right mindset. Time to crank on the essays.

Regarding my open-source projects, I see now that they would be considered community service. I was under the impression that only "orthodox" community service counted as such, but after reading your link, I can see that the projects I've done fall clearly in that category. I am also an Eagle Scout, although it is a title earned ten years ago

Thanks again!

--The IT Guy

Thanks again! --The IT Guy

Accepted.com · Answer

You're most welcome.

Do I have a competitive profile?

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