Please evaluate my profile and advise schools

ashishv25

Hi Stacy/Amy,

I have taken my GMAT and now going through the phase of confusion.

I need help on the following:
- Which schools can I safely target? Top 5? Top 10? Top 20? (Though I desire to go to one of the top three school, I want to be realistic while applying)
- Are my extracurricular activities satisfactory?
- Is my age going to be a negative factor at few of the schools?
- Any other comment.

Thanks.

-- Profile --

Demographics:
- Indian, 33 YO, Male

Education:
- Bachelor of Technology, Mechanical Engineering from one of the IITs (Indian Institute of Technology)
- 7.6/10 CPI (GPA)

GMAT:
- GMAT Score: 750 (Q51, V40), AWA: 5.0

Professional:
- Have about 10 years of experience
- Started software development company along with friends immediately after graduation, had moderate success:grew from 4 people to 80 people in six years, quit the team after 6 years.
- Worked with one of the top software product companies in the world for about two years.
- Built Offshore Development Center in India for a US based startup company. Now running the same shop successfully since last 2 years; stakeholders are very happy.
- Have a couple of patents filed in software architecture area.

Recommendation:
- Expect to get recommendation from the CEO and colleague of the aforementioned US based company.

School Activities:
- Directed plays and won awards, Edited and published presidential magazine etc.

Extra curricular:
- Have been mentoring young students from my secondary school, Run a weekend photography club,

MBA Goals:
- Corporate Strategy

Stacy Blackman · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 12:43 am Post subject:

Hi Ashishv25,
I have answered your questions below:

- Which schools can I safely target? Top 5? Top 10? Top 20? (Though I desire to go to one of the top three school, I want to be realistic while applying)

I would apply to a range of schools. Select one that is an extremely competitive, top tier school that you are very passionate about attending, and then 1-2 mid tier schools and perhaps 1-2 that are less competitive. You come from a challenging demographic, so in spite of strengths such as your GMAT score, you face a very competitive situation.

- Are my extracurricular activities satisfactory?

It's great that you have some non-work activities. This will add depth to your application. Make sure to emphasize the leadership aspects of your experience. This will make your experience even more interesting and relevant.

- Is my age going to be a negative factor at few of the schools?

You should focus on progression in your career to demonstrate that you have grown throughout your career. Also be sure to show maturity and focus and a true understanding of what the program can (and cannot) do for you. Have you considered an EMBA program? This may be a btter fit for you given your age.

aim-wsc · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:19 am Post subject:

Impressive profile Ashish! 8)

ashishv25 · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:12 am Post subject: Thanks..

Thanks for your valuable inputs Stacy!

I did considered EMBA too. However, based on what I have learned on the net, EMBA programs focus more on specialized subjects than on the core subjects. Since I want to specialize in Strategy, I think a good foundation in core subjects will help me in my post-MBA career by supplementing my ad-hoc, on-job knowledge of those subjects.

I think this year I will try to convince the adcoms for a two-year MBA. If I fail this year, I will try for an EMBA next year.