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Hello,

I request you to please go through my profile and help me understand the ground reality about my preparedness for the MBA schools of my choice.

GMAT: Expecting 720
Target: Round 2 for 2010 (Jan 2010 deadline).

Education:
MS in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago; GPA: 3.6; Graduated in Fall 2004
B.Tech from JNTU Hyderabad, India; Percentage: 73% - Graduated in Spring 2001.

Professional certifications:
1. Project Management Professional (PMP).
2. Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for Java platform. (Highest tech certification in that field in the industry. I am not apologetic for my tech skills, in fact satisfied/proud of my accomplishments).

Work Exp: Total: 4.5 years
1. For the last 1 yr working as Tech Architect (as a consultant) for a major Health Insurance company:
a. After my PMP certification, I wanted to move as a Project Manager but as the economy is bad and there is a lot of hiring freeze, this may not happen for next 6 months.
b. Initiated and lead various strategic initiatives that solve the problems in right way and there by saved thousands of dollars in terms of man power used, time spent on them and customer support.
c. Managed and collaborated with various experts from different departments to solve complex problems.
2. Worked as a Project Lead for 3.5 yrs (as a consultant) for Fortune 50 Company.
a. Lead and nurtured the next generation of project leads and developers for the company.
b. Analyzed and solved complex project problems and issues.
c. Built team spirit by organizing various team building activities.

Entrepreneur ventures:
1. Co-Founder and CEO for a start-up company in US that develops software for mobile phones. Our product was selected for semi-final round in a major tech conference. I presented it myself and currently following up with VCs and business partners to raise money for the company and make deals.
2. Co-Founder and Manager for an Indian IT company that has under taken 2 projects for clients in Europe and has to date a turn over in single digit million rupees.

Extra-curricular activities:

1. As a member of maintenance committee in a major temple in US, I initiated projects to maintain the Temple in good condition to cause comfort for the devotees who come to visit temple. I am also working on a Project Management Template that temple can use to create, record and maintain project cost, schedule and time in a professional way that can save a lot of money by doing it in right way. (This is a democratic process, so successful completion of Initiated projects takes time, but the fact that I am involved in such an open minded and democratic process is very satisfying).
2. During my under graduate years, successfully lead my peers and juniors in maintaining the harmony and peaceful living of various communities in the college campus.
3. From childhood, has been active in organizing various religious and social events that causes people to celebrate the functions and joy.

MBA goals: Entrepreneurship and Leadership related course work and experience.

Target MBA universities: Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Columbia and Univ of Chicago.

Can you please give me your evaluation of my profile?

Sincerely,
kncs

Hello and thanks for your question. It sounds to me like you have an outstanding profile --and the fact that, unlike a lot of folks from India, you have a master's from a U.S. university will really help set you apart.

I could go through and enumerate all of the great things about your background but I won't take the time; instead, I'll just say that you sound like a very solid candidate.

My only thought, and I think it's important, is that you are applying to the absolute best finance schools: you may want to consider applying to some programs that are very good but not the absolute elite. There are two reasons:

- First, you may have a run of bad luck and not get into any of the top programs to which you're applying (believe, every single one of those programs has more qualified applicants than they have spaces; there is always a lottery element).

- Second, given the strength of your candidacy you may be in a position to get some scholarship or fellowship money. This may not relevant now but, believe me, when you start toting up the cost of living, tuition, etc., having a nice merit-based fellowship at a very good even if non-elite program is a very nice thing to have. It's about giving yourself options.