Profile Evaluation - Advice on school selection please

Question

Hi Jon,

Love your analysis mate! Keen to get your thoughts on my chances of admission at my choice of schools.

Background: Male, 26, Naturalised Australian (Indian heritage)
Undergrad: BE, Electrical Engineering from top 3 engineering school in Australia.
Graduated with first class honours, Deans Honour list for all years at uni.
Studied on a full fee faculty scholarship (which is uncommon for an international student here)
GPA: 3.65+ (As per a basic converter, Weighted Average Mean of 80)
GMAT 730, Q49, V41 IR 5 AWA 5.0

Work experience:

1) Internship within the R&D arm of a Japanese technology company ( think Canon, Fujitsu, Nikon)
2) A small telecomm company for 6 months post graduation
3) Presently employed at a global construction and engineering firm for the past 3 and half years (think Bechtel, Jacobs, AECOM) 
 - started on the graduate program
 - promoted once.
 - accredited deputy project manager internally to assist with major project delivery and about to receive project manger status.
 - Have worked on a diverse range of projects from commercial developments to large scale defence infrastructure upgrades.
 - Primarily been involved in the delivery of a A$850m+ harbourside commercial development in Sydney over the past year and half. Project is currently in construction and I'm taking 
 on a greater role on site. 
 - Nominated to be on the key account management team for one of our major clients which accounts for A$150m+ in revenue ANZ wide. Responsibilities include 
 liaising with client managers across different offices within ANZ, planning regular meetings with client and tracking actions, and developing a short term and a longer term account 
 growth strategy - great exposure to some big picture stuff!
 - Will be undertaking a secondment to our UK office in 2 months.
 
 Notable Extracurriculars:

1) Student mentor with the international student services for a short time during university.
2) Member of the graduate committee representing my business line at my workplace. Was part of a team of graduates that organised charity fundraisers, professional networking events, professional development events such as tech talks by industry experts.

ST goals: A more traditional path of working with a reputed global strategy consulting firm and work in their Construction and Engineering/ Infrastructure practice.
LT goals: Would like to return to the industry and leverage upon my experience in strategy consulting. Look to take on an internal strategy role.

Target schools: R1: MIT: Sloan, Tuck, Duke and HBS.
 R2: Kellogg, Haas, LBS and McCombs.

Questions:

1) Am I being overly aspirational on my target schools and need a reality check? I wasn't going to apply for HBS until I attended a HBS webinar on engineers in industry who are currently studying at HBS and it got me thinking. I've done a fair bit of research on Tuck & Duke and feel that I would be a good fit with the culture in both these schools. MIT: Sloan- As an engineer I have immense respect for the uni and also attended one of their international events here in Sydney last year. 
2) Should I not mention on my app about my impending secondment to the UK as it doesn't appear to line up with the overall story but it's a great opportunity for me personally!
3) IR 5 is a little bit low - not sure what happened during the test. Should I specifically address this in the optional essays? I don't want to retake the GMAT unless you feel that I should. I did score a IR 7 on my previous attempt.
4) Extra curriculars- This is the weakest aspect on my application as I do not have any significant leadership roles outside of work. How badly will this impact my application?

Thanks very much in advance. Let me know if you need any other specific info.

cheers.

EDIT: fixed typos etc.

Admissionado · Answer

Hello hello my good friend, So first of all congrats on that awesome GMAT. Good job there getting what needs to be done. I like your university track record, with the scholarship, the Dean's list and the good grades. All that makes for a very solid basis. For your work experience, I think I would really need a bit more detail. But what I can see that is good is that you have been promoted, you are being assigned abroad, and you are from a relatively unique industry (at least in terms of Bschools applicants). As far as weaknesses go, I don't see any major ones that need to be dealt with. Except maybe that there' a bit of pizzazz/uniqueness/exceptionality missing in it for the moment (more about this later) Let's get on to your questions: 1) Am I being overly aspirational on my target schools and need a reality check? I wasn't going to apply for HBS until I attended a HBS webinar on engineers in industry who are currently studying at HBS and it got me thinking. I've done a fair bit of research on Tuck & Duke and feel that I would be a good fit with the culture in both these schools. MIT: Sloan- As an engineer I have immense respect for the uni and also attended one of their international events here in Sydney last year. Hard to tell without more detail. My tendency would be to say, a bit. You do have thew grades/GMAT and work experience, but for these top programs most everybody does also, and then there are folks who aren't from the top 3 schools, but from the top 1 school, and come from Big feeder firms, or have exceptional things like political leadership, successful startups etc. etc. Now I do think your basis is fantastic, but I would urge you to work on pulling out what you can out of your extras. I would like to see 1-2 schools in the 10-20 ranking on your list (even added) and I would be more comfy with it. 2) Should I not mention on my app about my impending secondment to the UK as it doesn't appear to line up with the overall story but it's a great opportunity for me personally! Mention it! It's a sort of little promotion. Plus with international experience! 3) IR 5 is a little bit low - not sure what happened during the test. Should I specifically address this in the optional essays? I don't want to retake the GMAT unless you feel that I should. I did score a IR 7 on my previous attempt. Naaaaaaaaah. It's all good. 4) Extra curriculars- This is the weakest aspect on my application as I do not have any significant leadership roles outside of work. How badly will this impact my application? Well, it's better if you have it.

But since you don't the most important thing now is to make the best out of what you DO have. Did I answer all your questions? I hope so, Jon

Admissionado · Answer

Ah yes, so I should also write about your school selection list!

So, it's a bit tough I think, and could use a bit of an adjustment. From your list I think the following are stretch schools: MIT, HBS, LBS, Tuck Competitive: Duke, Kellogg, Haas Safe: McCombs So, as you can see, your school list is a bit top heavy. I'd suggest removing two from the stretch list (LBS/HBS), and then add one more competitive school and one more "Safe". I hope this helps! JF

ZoSoKM · Answer

Hi Jon,

Thanks very much for your insight on my profile- Much appreciated!

Agree with your comment on my profile lacking some stardust and multi-dimensionality. Guess, I gotta play with the hand that I've dealt myself.

To provide you with a bit more context on my work experience:

1) Started as a graduate engineer in the organisation's development program wherein you are provided with both professional and personal development training on developing leadership potential, learning to effectively communication with clients, understanding project delivery etc. 
2) My primary role is to design the electrical aspects within buildings- the nature of our work requires us to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects, and builders to deliver the project. Ensure no deviation from design during construction.
4) Taken on the role of deputy project manager on a large signature commercial development- focus on managing sub consultant, ensuring adherence to project scope, conflict resolution and monitoring the financial health of the project.
5) Due to project nature of my work, my direct management responsibility depends on project team structure (typically 1-2 people at most). I do have decision making authority that influences design evolution.

After some thought I might drop MIT for R1 and add McCombs but somehow would like to stick with Tuck and Duke due to my interactions with the alumni, the school culture- strongly appeal to me.

So updated R1: HBS, Tuck, Duke and McCombs. If I get into Tuck/ Duke/ HBS (yep, a man's gotta dream!) I won't apply in R2.

Else, I'll apply to R2: Kellogg, MIT/ LBS, Ross (?), and Emory.

Thoughts?

My post MBA goal being consulting, can toy recommend any other safety schools?

Thanks again.

Admissionado · Answer

Well, you also have to try and mine yourself some stardust out of what is there. So none of this passive "I aint got no stardust" stuff (that could be the title of a cool new pop song. I'm gonna have to copyright that).

Other than that I like your new list. Two comments though: You are not likely to get results from R1 in time to make a decision about R2. You are likely gonna have to roll on through those applications, and then in the middle of the process you might start to get some answers. Second, if you were to drop a school from the list because of time pressure, I'd suggest the MIT/LBS since they aren't your preferred top schools, and are likely to be as hard to get into as Tuck/Duke if not harder.

Otherwise, looks pretty good!
Best,
JF

ZoSoKM · Answer

Nice one! Yep, I will have to start preparing for Round 2 straight after R1 submissions but would not end up applying if I were to receive admission at any R1 schools. Haha, that's true will dig deep and since you thought about it when evaluating my profile, it makes sense share the copyright

(I think we got some potential here!). Thanks heaps Jon.

Admissionado · Answer

Wahoo dude!
Good luck, and if there's any way we can help, drop a line,
Best,
JF

Profile Evaluation - Advice on school selection please

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