Dear bennybob,

I will be honest with you--not working after graduation is a big issue, for both MBA admissions and your future career search. The longer your unemployment stretches, the more negative that will be for you. Regardless of where you apply, if you do decide to apply to start business school next fall, then you absolutely need to have some sort of plan for what you will be doing for the next year. Perhaps the Wachovia stock broker could hire you as an intern? Even if what you do is unpaid, you need to do something between now and starting business school.

To answer your questions:

1) You are competitive for your target list in terms of GMAT/GPA, but the lack of work experience is a big concern. I'm not sure any of these will be interested if you are unemployed, with no plan, and your explanation is you have decided you don't like engineering. It is possible to get an internship or a job outside of engineering, so I strongly encourage you to figure something out. I also encourage you to identify some other schools that are not as competitive but will give you a strong finance curriculum. There are so many great finance programs in the top 40 that I am confident you will find alternatives as a backup plan.

2) Of course, 2-3 years of professional work experience will improve your profile IF you can demonstrate progression during that time. It is what you do in your tenure (quality v. quantity) that matters. No matter where you work, it is important to show an increase in responsibility and have accomplishments to highlight in your application.

3) If you decide to go ahead and apply now, then the professor is probably a good option if he is the closest thing you have to a supervisor on a job. The Wachovia stock broker could also be helpful, but a recommendation from him/her would be more meaningful if s/he was a supervisor or co-worker.

Best of luck,
Lisa