Approaching ExecMBA w/ 7-yr career in IT/Mgt - please advise

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Hi – can you please provide an assessment on my eligibility to be selected for some top 10 Executive MBA programs, based on my profile below?

Here are the schools I’m considering:

1) Northwestern (Kellog)
2) Columbia
3) University of Penn (Wharton)
4) Duke University (Fuqua)
5) University of Virginia (Darden)


And here are my qualifications on a high-level:


Bachelors of Engineering (Electronics & Communications) from a University in M.P., India with ~4.00 GPA

Employers (from latest to earliest):
1) Fujitsu America (previously Fujitsu Consulting & Rapidigm)
• Hired as Senior SAP consultant --> Principal SAP Consultant (after 1 yr) --> SAP Associate Practice Director (after 1 yr) – current role
2) Bearing Point
• Hired as Senior SAP consultant
3) Net Matrix Solutions
• Hired as a SAP Consulting Engagement Advisor
4) Bharti Telenet
• Hired as a Technical Consultant

Key areas where I have demonstrated leadership & career growth:
1) Led a team of 30+ developers to build a CPG industry-based composite application which became SAP® xApps™CERTIFIED, Powered by SAP NetWeaver® in 2007.
2) Established as a Thought Leader: selected to present 11 times at major SAP conferences, published 2 featured SAP magazine articles.
3) While developing the SAP practice (with current employer), I have been a key contributor in finalizing budgets for workforce management in terms of hiring, training, project delivery, team structural changes, etc.
4) Lead several pursuits for major project bids, ranging from $5M to ~$60M deal size and across various industry verticals.
5) Was instrumental in keeping an SAP implementation for a globally recognized CPG company ‘on track’ by influencing the project's direction in terms of resourcing, solution approach, scope assessment, and management among the technical team.
6) Was a primary decision-maker in restructuring current employer's technical team within the SAP practice to create better alignment between the functional & technical groups.
7) Played a key role developing an IP-based solution during a strategic ramp-up project for Bearing Point, which received an SAP Pinnacle Award in 2006.

No GMAT score (debating on whether I need to have it or whether I can be selected based more on my extensive management experience).

Any advice, honest feedback, or other input would be very much appreciated!

- R
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by Lisa Anderson » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:27 am
Dear R,

You have demonstrated career progression and some solid leadership and teamwork experiences. You did not indicate how long you were at each job, so I'm not sure of the amount of work experience you have. From the amount of detail on your career accomplishments, it would seem you have over 10 years of experience. If you have at least 8 years, then you are in range for most Executive MBA programs. I would suggest contacting the programs you are interested in to determine if a GMAT score is necessary in your case. I think you will find that some will require it of you since you do not have a PhD, but there might be some that will waive the GMAT for you. I also think a visit to these programs would be worthwhile for you if you can take the time to schedule the visits. Your essays, recommendations and interviews are integral to the process, so be sure to put in the effort to give yourself the best chance for admission.

Best of luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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