Evaluate my chances and advise target GMAT score

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Dear Stacey/Amy,

Please evaluate my chances and advise my target GMAT score. I'm aiming for UT Austin and Rice University as my current employer is only supporting these schools for reimbursement.

Education Background
I graduated as chemical engineer from McMaster University in Canada with a low GPA due to my cirumstances at that time.

Work Experience
I started my career as a process engineer for a former ExxonMobil petrochemical plant in Pakistan. I was the first to complete training in record 5 1/2 months and was promoted in record time.

From there I was scouted by a US-based, high tech company with clients primarily in the energy sector (oil supermajors) to work as a sales engineer in their Singapore office covering South East Asia. I spent 6 years in technical sales achieving my targets 4 out of 6 times and exceeding targets twice (150% and 200%). My territory was expanded three times to include Australia and New Zealand.

From there I was transferred to the company's world wide headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa as senior applications engineer covering Middle East. I was in this role for 2 years handling the most complex projects not only from a technical standpoint but also from a global pursuit point of view.

Last year I was promoted to global Applications Marketing Leader reporting only to the President of the company. My current role includes defining marketing strategies for each market segment, developing applications technology, writing patents and marketing our solutions in the form of publications. I already have one publication this year with two more in the works. I also have patent pending this year. I've been a speaker at a couple of conferences this year as well.

As you can see my strength is in my work experience having the luxury of working in three distinct regions in the world. Our company's President will be writing a recommendation letter for me backing my claims. Since I'm only interested in UT Austin (first priority) and Rice University please evaluate my chances. Lastly also please advise my target GMAT score considering that I'm going through the application process this year for entry in fall 2008.

Thanks.
Source: — Ask Stacy Blackman |

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by Amy » Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:07 pm
Hi nislam,

It sounds like you have some excellent work experience, which is great. It's hard for me to tell you how competitive you are for UT Austin and Rice without your GPA or GMAT information.

Scoring a GMAT within the range specified by the school - and preferably at, near or above the mean - would be positive for your chances. The most recent stats are available on the programs' websites or on businessweek.com.

If you are concerned about your low GPA and have the time to take a class at the local college, that may help you develop your academic profile.

Good luck!

Amy
Amy
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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What class should I take?

by nislam » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:31 am
Thanks for your valuable insight. What kind of course do you recommend engineering, finance, economics? Should this be grad level course?

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by Amy » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:31 pm
Continuing education is great - the classes I would recommend would be calculus, statistics, and maybe economics.
Amy
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Stacy Blackman Consulting