Need Stacy's advice: Non-Traditional Undergrad wants MBA

khilker

Stacy,

First a mini-biography and then I hope you can give me some advice on applying for a MBA.

After high school I went to one year of college and dropped out. It was the late 90's and there were a lot of oppertunities in the IT field as a software consultant regardless of a degree. I have been hired for contract based consulting for several Fortune 500 companies accumulating about three years of experience. I then worked for a small software company as a technical trainier gaining public speaking experience in the classroom and presenting at conferences. Unfortunatly in a small company, climbing the corporate ladder is slow so I decided to return to college, knowing a degree would open more doors. I am now in my senior year of a degree in Geographic Information Systems with a GPA of 3.95. I have spent my summers working in "Team Lead" positions of short term IT contracts to build up my leadership skills and experience.

Finally, getting to the point. I graduate in the spring and am very interested in persuing an MBA with the long term goal of obtaining a position in Software Product Management (preferably GIS). I have good grades, strong recommendations from professors and previous employers but all of my professional experience is pre-undergrad. What is the best way to sell myself and which schools may be more open to this non-traditional approach?

Thank you in advance for your time and advice,
Ken

Stacy Blackman · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:51 pm Post subject:

You have the degree and the work experience. I do not see why having them in reverse order should be much of a problem. Your biggest challenge is that you will need to prove to them that you do value academics, school, learning. You want to demonstrate that you are intellectually curious and did not just go back to school because you hit a wall. If you can use your experience to tell a story about lessons learned and the realization that school was a truly important step for you I think you should fare well.

njlw226 · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:27 am Post subject:

Stacy - thanks for the feedback!!

My goal is to work in corporate finance after graduation. Which other schools would you recommend? I would love to apply to Harvard, Wharton, Chicago, etc. but I am worried about my 670 GMAT and only 3 years of work experience.

Thanks!

khilker · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:43 am Post subject: Thank You!

Thanks a lot Stacy! I difinitly put a high value on education and make sure that is clear. the wall was only one of my reasons for attending school.

Once again, Thank you for the advice!
-Ken