Engineer to Being Small Retai Business Owner Hurts or Helps?

Question

Hi all,

I haven't taken GMAT yet; I am planning on applying for fall 09 with my eyes on Columbia or Stern.

I had dual BS in Engineering (GPA 3.9) in US/MS in Engineering (GPA 3.8) at Stevens Inst. of Tech and MS in Engineering at Berkely (GPA 3.2). 

I worked as a product manager for big hi-tech firm for 5 years in the US. I had several good experiences where I was the leaders of the projects. For example, I organized and conducted conferences & seminar tours in Asia, etc.... Then, I gave up day job to pursue small, independent jewelry retail business in the US. I've been in the business for 4 years (with 2 years of overlapping between running the business & working at the tech-firm)

I am Vietnamese American, and an active supporter & fundraiser of an Vietnamese orphanage; I led several activities to raise money for orphans in Vietnam.

Assuming that GMAT will be around 650 to 690 (i think I could achieve this score on real test), what r the chances at Columbia or Stern?

My goal is to get an MBA and expand my business into a national enterprise.

How would ad. comittee view my career switch from engineering to retailers? Would it help or hurt to have experience recently as small business owner? I do have a few employees to manage. Pretty much run my own show from purchasing, merchandising, sales, marketing to managing employees & finance. My concern is that top MBA schools do not value small business experience as much.

Any tips on how I can showcase my experiences?

Thanks!

Accepted.com · Answer

tnguyen07,

I think you need at least a 700 GMAT to have a chance at NYU and Columbia. Your career switch is fine if it's related to why you need the MBA and to what you plan to do after the MBA. If it is not related then I think it hurts you. I agree that schools probably do not value small retail business experience as much as they do other experience. I think your Vietnamese background is an asset, and you should emphasize it, your leadership at work, and your community activities in your essays.

Hope this helps,

tnguyen707 · Answer

Hello Paul,

Thanks for taking the time to help MBA wannabes like me. Yes, I am shooting for GMAT 700; I think it's doable for me. Yes, I'll highlight all those assets that you pointed out. When I was at Stevens Tech, I did something very exceptional: finish dual MS/BS in Engieering in 3 years and still maintained GPA above 3.8 for both degrees. I was a scholar program student, who was allowed to take unlimited credit/semester and full tuition in summers. So I was able to finish everything in three years. I think ad com would like that.

Do you think that getting an MBA to help taking off my small specialty retail business into a chain store would be convincing enough? Some may think uhh.. Mr. you don't need an MBA for that, just need to be business savy, dear!

Rutgers is also my favorite school.

Thanks again!

Rutgers is also my favorite school. Thanks again!

Accepted.com · Answer

tnguyen707,

I think schools would buy into your need for an MBA if you make your plans ambitious enough, i.e., a whole chain of stores, etc. So give them a well-thought-out long-term plan and explain why you need the specific skills that an MBA gives you to realize that plan.

Good luck,

tnguyen707 · Answer

Hello Paul,

Thanks for the advice. Yours are definitely valuable to my MBA application game plan. Wish the best to you.

TN

Accepted.com · Answer

You're welcome.

Engineer to Being Small Retai Business Owner Hurts or Helps?

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