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Profile Evaluation for Mech. Engineer (2013 Matriculation)

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Profile Evaluation for Mech. Engineer (2013 Matriculation)

by houstonmba59 » Thu Jul 07, 2011 3:35 pm
Hi all,

I've been wanting to pursue a top-tier MBA for many years now (since early Undergrad), and I estimate I'm about two years away from Matriculation. I'd like a profile evaluation to evaluate my weaknesses early.

Background Info:
- White male, currently 25 years old.
- Graduated May 09 from a regional Midwest engineering school with a mechanical engineering degree and a minor in economics.
- Cumulative GPA is on the low side, 3.05, but I excelled in my quantitative economics minor (3.8 among 6 finance & econ classes).
- My grades were generally poor in my engineering and math classes (B's and C's).
- GMAT 700 (V40, Q45, AWA 6.0), 90th percentile

Work Experience:
- Summer internship helping start a distribution business from the ground up
- Summer internship as a production supervisor for big three automaker (40 direct reports)
- 1.5 years in oil and gas services as an applications engineer (selective rotational program)
- 6+ months (currently employed) in oil and gas services managing the proposal/bid process for a $200MM/year product line and I'm exposed to many facets of the business

Recommendations:
- Expected to be very strong from various managers at current employer

Extracurriculars:
- Was a DJ at the college radio station for ~2 years
- Leader of senior design team that had project actually implemented at corporate sponsor
- Avid investor and blogger (1-2+ hours a day of research), started with own money at age 15
- Heavy into personal fitness (5-6 days a week), for what its worth

I'm aiming at the following Top 25 schools for fall 2013 Matriculation after I gain more work experience. Looking at a finance focus for eventual career in consulting, industry, or perhaps banking.
- UT Austin
- Carnegie Mellon
- Michigan Ross
- Duke
- UVA Darden
- Northwestern / Chicago GSB (big reach?)

How realistic are these schools given my background? Is my weak quantitative performance a deal breaker given my quant-heavy degree and work experience? Would taking accounting or similar at a local university bolster my quantitative 'pedigree,' given that I've already excelled in many finance and economics classes?

Thanks for your input!
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by paulsbodine » Sat Jul 09, 2011 8:06 am
houstonmba59,

You have a solid profile with no major issues. You might want to rebuild your math transcript, assuming that some of your C's were in math classes. You should definitely explain any extenuating circumstances that lowered your GPA (like working full-time or major external distractions). The best thing would probably be to raise your GMAT another 20-30 points if you have any evidence (practice tests, etc.) that that's feasible.

Since you are a year away from applying, I recommend taking one of your existing extracurriculars and finding a way to build a leadership role with some kind of community impact around it. Doesn't matter what it is, but build on what you've already done -- just find a way to coordinate others in some kind of socially useful way through one of those extracurriculars.

If you execute these improvements -- and perhaps get a promotion at work or new responsibility -- all of these schools could be doable, though Texas, CMU, Duke, and UVA will remain more feasible than Ross, Kellogg, and Booth.

Good luck,
Paul Bodine
Author, "Great Applications for Business School," "Perfect Phrases for Business School Acceptance," "Perfect Phrases for Letters of Recommendation"
https://www.paulsbodine.com/
[email protected]
(858) 869-1959
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by houstonmba59 » Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:00 pm
Thanks for your feedback Paul, I appreciate it.
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by FutureWorks » Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:27 pm
Hi There


When aiming for top institutes abroad a score above 700 is advisable. Looking at class profile of your aimed institute students on their GMAT scored-

Ross- Average 704

Middle 80% Range 650 - 750

UVA Darden Middle 80% 650-740 with Mean score 699

Duke: 80% Range of GMAT score 640 - 750 with mean score 697

Kellogg: 80% Range of GMAT score 640 - 750 with mean score715

If you can improve your GMAT score by 15-20 points you can be in a secure place GMAT wise for Kellogg. Although you might need to prove to the admission committee that your GPA won't be an issue. If you can tell in your application about the skills that you gained at work and beyond in the areas you had scored low would put you in better position. You need to indicate a positive learning from your bad experience. If you took any extra classes or courses in the subjects that you din't do well and highlight your zeal to learn and improve it could also improve your low GPA situation.

Make sure you follow the 'show rather than tell' principle so that the admissions committee could really understand your strengths and differentiating factors."

Generally most of the applicants have a good 4-5 years of work experience. Although it is not just the work experience that counts but also what you did there like-what were your achievements, what initiative you took, what changes you drove in your workplace etc. So you need to build your work profile around these areas.

Hence the quality of your work, your academics and beyond academics will play an important role in determining your candidature. Start thinking what makes you unique and what's that 'hook' that will be key to your application.
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