Need your opinion!

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Need your opinion!

by chster » Sun May 20, 2012 4:47 am
Hi,
I just started looking at MBA as a serious option recently. And think I could really use some help from the experienced people, because my case may be a bit uncommon.

I am a 33-year-old male. Chinese.
Went to USC for graduate school. PhD in a non-IT major from Engineering school
only 3 year working experience by next August in the R&D center of an F500 company
Not sure if my GPA for undergraduate still matters here.
Haven't taken GMAT yet, but it's easier than GRE to me. >700 shouldn't be a problem.

After MBA, I would like to take up a position in a consultancy firm focusing on the same field or play a role in global strategy and management for a leading company. My strength is analytical thinking (thanks to my PhD training), international exposure (study and work in three continents), cross unit collaboration experience. I really think my future is beyond just R&D, while my training and experience from research actually can be crucial for the career later.

My weakness is very obvious. Relatively old with relatively short WE. My experience in management and leadership is growing gradually, but nothing jumping out comparing to lots of other applicants. Right now I supervise a small research team and chair the committee which oversees the daily operation of the site.

I hope I can gain some honest feedback from you. What effect will having a PhD have on my application? Is the combination of my age and WE a big disadvantage to me? Getting MBA is a big decision not only career wise, also money wise. At this stage of my life, I would only go for it if it's from a top school. I have no idea what the odds are. And this is the reason I will really appreciate your help.

Thanks a lot!
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by Deena@ClearAdmit » Tue May 22, 2012 8:23 am
Hi Chster, and thanks so much for your post.

I think that from the information you've posted, you do have a very solid profile, and that you're right to have some concerns as well. In response to your questions, having a PhD will be considered additional evidence of your academic strength, but it will not really say much about your ability to succeed post MBA as much as your work experience will. You should look at the knowledge and skills you've gained during your PhD program and your work experience up to this point, and really try to define how they, combined with what you need from a B school program will get you to the job you see yourself in, immediately post-MBA.

I think that I don't have a complete picture here of your profile, but considering your age at this point, I would say that you should also be considering some part time programs which tend to skew towards older students.

Feel free to contact us at [email protected] for a more detailed, free personalized assessment of your profile.

Best,

Deena

Deena Maerowitz
Clear Admit, LLC


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