which US Bschools should i target?

Question

Hi i want to know my chances for few good us universities..

10th- 49% (2003)
12th- 60% (2005)
Grad- Bachelor in commerce though distance learning from Tier1 university 43% (2009)
Grad repeated- Bachelor in commerce though distance learning from different Tier3 university 73% (2012)
Diploma in Aviation and hospitality from Edexel university (2010)
Diploma in Theater (2007)
Apart from this a lot of small certificates.

Work Exp- Small family garments business(small botique) So dont think adcom will consider it.
Want to do MBA in finance.

Have not taken Gmat but in mocks getting around 650- 680, i can improve a lot more and target 720.

So as per my profile which colleges should i target, i know my profile is not good neither i am targeting top 20 US Bschools. Kindly guide me.
_________________

bryantmichaels · Answer

Prateek-

going outside the top 20 opens up all kinds of possibilities, so it would be difficult to help you narrow the focus without a discussion of your post MBA vision and why you wnat the MBA. Other things to consider are your desired learning style and where you want to end up working. Although b-schools have been known to discount family work experience, keep in mind that it can also be very valuable, since you likely had a peek into the decision making process behind major decisions and also likely touched several different aspects of the business, which is more than most can do from a desk job in a big corporation. I would say figure out exactly what you want to do and where you want to do it then use that data to help you narrow the field.

prateekbhatt · Answer

Thanks Bryant

Here is little more about myself...

Here is little more about me....

1) Brief description of your full-time work experience. What do you do?

After my schooling (2005)i joined my family garment business.We have a small showroom and we get our products from different states of india through our staff. The business was established in 1995, though its not a large scale but i wish to expand it.

My work profile-

Multiple work profile, it really difficult the content it in words but starting from

cleaning my work station to dealing with clients in terms of showing them our product to coordinating with our agents to get the product on time to working on accounts on daily basis and making a balance sheet quaterly.

But since its a small scale business i am afraid that adcom might not consider it.

2) Your GMAT.

Mocks- 720 ( have not taken it yet)

3) College info: The name of the college, your GPA or grade average, your major, year of graduation. For any graduate degrees, please provide the same info. If you grades are low, please indicate if there were extenuating circumstances.

Bachelor in commerce through distance learning from university of Delhi Tier1( 43%) completed in 2009.

For this degree it was really difficult the get a good score and the topper of the university got 62%.

Graduation repeated in Bachelor in commerce through distance learning from Tier 3 university 73% & completed in 2012.

Had to repeat it since i was not eligible to take any indian mba entrances, moreover i knew the my earlier scores were not a reflector of my potentials.

4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.

Diploma in Aviation and hospitality from Edexel University 2010 (18 months duration).
Diploma in Theater 2007.
Certified First Aider.
Certificate in English from BBC UK.
Certified in Galileo and Fideleo( Programs very known in Aviation and hospitality).

5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.

Though i do have a plan to go for CFA.

6) Your target programs.

MBA in Finance
MS in Finance
MS in Economics

7) When you plan to apply? Please specify round and application cycle, for example R1 2013-14 or R3 2012-13.

R1 for Fall 2014.

8) Your post-MBA goal.

Getting a good exposure in international market for around 5 years and then expanding my business and taking it to another level(Have a plan to have chain of big showrooms).

Thanks and appreciate your help.

bryantmichaels · Answer

Have you considered one year MBA programs? For folks who like what they do and want to grow their own business, the one year programs can give you what you need quickly so you don't have to spend much time off the job. Emory (Goizueta) has a good program, and if you hit what you are targeting on the GMAT, you would likely be a shoo-in for their one year program. The additional advantage is that it's cheaper and they aren't as strict on the intake requirements.

prateekbhatt · Answer

This is a great advise Bryant, But my short term goal is to get maximum exposure in international market before striving my business. So are these 1 year program good for it?
Though i agree with the cost of the program and intake it will become easy.

bryantmichaels · Answer

Possibly. Emory has a great international focus but you will not get an internship with a one year program, so if you were looking for some separate work expereince as part of your MBA the one year programs would not work. They are most advantageous for those who are focused on their own business or job who want to spend as little time away from the market as possible.

prateekbhatt · Answer

So for 2 years regular MBA which schools do you suggest?

bryantmichaels · Answer

Georgetown, UNC Keenan Flagler, UT Austin

which US Bschools should i target?

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