Profile evaluation: Healthcare MBA programs

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Profile evaluation: Healthcare MBA programs

by zivi » Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:36 am
Hi Jon,

Thanks in advance for taking the time to look at this long post of mine :)

I need your advice on applying to MBA programs in healthcare. My plan is to apply for the 2013 intake, but I'm worried that my low GPA and relative inexperience (as compared to other applicants) might work against me. Here are my details:

Indian female, 24 years. I grew up in the Middle East and then moved to India.
Undergraduate degree: Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering, GPA 2.99, non IIT but well known university. I lost focus in the first two years, but I matured and picked up the pace in the last two years, scoring mostly A's and B's.
3 years work experience presently and 2 promotions ( will be over 4 years by matriculation). I spent 2 years in an IT consulting company, where I worked with Fortune 500 clients in the Healthcare division. There, I realized that I wanted to entrench myself in Healthcare, so I quit and took up a job at Siemens Medical.
My growth in this one year has been swift. For example, I don't officially supervise anyone, but I have mentored a number of newly joined people into the team (something which only more senior people are allowed to do here). I sit in for my manager on many important meetings, and on occasion, I do make the decisions myself. Overall, the career growth looks really good for the next one or two years, and I'm sure of getting great recommendations.

Haven't yet given the GMAT, but my aim would be to score above 720.

Extra curricular activities: I volunteer at a local organization that looks after the welfare of stray dogs. And I'm in the process of starting up a venture along with other friends. The objective is to provide employment for differently abled people. Was co chair of a children's welfare organization in college.

For the past 2 years, I've been supporting my family financially as my father had to retire because of ill health. My mother has gone back to college for her degree in Education, after which she would get a job, so family finances will not be a problem while applying.

I am targeting Tuck, Fuqua, Ross and Emory. Tuck is my dream school, but I know how competitive the applicant pool is. What do you think? Do I stand a chance at any of these schools? What would you recommend me to do in order to improve my profile? I am willing to wait a couple more years, if it will make for a solid application.


Thanks so much! Again, sorry about the long post!

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by Jon@Admissionado » Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:33 am
Don;t be sorry about the long post! We LOVE long posts!
Cause they are more detailed, and I can give you some better advice.
:)
Now, to get down to business.
I rarely advise people to do this (and it's also bad for business ;) ) but I think you might consider waiting another year. My reasoning is as follows: If I were evaluating your profile the first thing I would want/expect is a little bit more experience in your industry. And given your youth, I would feel like you could develop more in the industry of your dream before making that jump. Secondly and just as importantly, if you have not taken the GMAT yet, and you are targeting round two, although it is feasible, it's a bit tight. But thirdly, and perhaps more importantly, is that in applying to your dream school - Tuck - you will have MUCH better chances if you can apply R1. It's really the best way to convince them that you are really dedicated to the school (and this is something that is especially important to them)

Buuut if you were to apply now (assuming a GMAT of 720), I would say Tuck and Fuqua would be a reach, Ross and Emory would be competitive.

You might also look into Haas (although this is not gonna be any easier to get into than Tuck or Fuqua) because of their certificate program, and UNC in in Research Triangle Park which benefits from proximity to lots of Pharma companies.

If you have any follow up Questions, let me know...
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by zivi » Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:06 am
Wow thanks Jon! You know, that's exactly how I feel in my gut. I really won't be able to take advantage of the MBA or give anything of value back to my class, if right now, I'm still studying nuts and bolts and am yet to see the big picture.

I am a little confused though. When you said "Wait for another year.." did you mean apply for the class of 2015 or 16? Because it sounded like you thought I was going to apply this year (class of 2013). Correct me if I'm wrong. I would never consider applying this year since I'm not a strong candidate at this stage.

How particular are these colleges about GPA? Coz mine isn't exactly stellar. Would this reduce my chances of getting an admit?

And finally, would I be at a disadvantage if I took the GMAT before June 2012 when the Integrated Reasoning section comes up? 2013 is still a long way off and by that time many applicants would have applied with the new GMAT. I've read up, but couldn't find any information on this.

Thanks!

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by Jon@Admissionado » Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:54 am
Ahh okay. No I thought you were gonna apply this year. So you are good applying in 2013. I'm not going to lie to you, the low GPA is a bummer, and it decreases your chances, in terms of that if you had a 3.7 you would have better chances. But there's no use crying over spilt milk. :) Sooo the question is what can you DO to counter it, and really first and foremost would be to beat the heck out of the GMAT. If you can show that you are good at this standardized test stuff, this will greatly increase their confidence about your academic capacities.

As for the GMAT. you can comfortably take it before June 2012. In fact I'd suggest it, as if you get less than you expect it gives you pleeeenty of time to retake.

Anyways, I'm happy to see you are starting your research sooo early. Very wise of you!
and if you get a chance, try and visit all the schools you will apply to.

Cheers,
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
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Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
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Mostly, email Claudia.