Dont know which schools to apply to !

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Dont know which schools to apply to !

by axechik » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:33 am
Hi,
I am 27 yr old female. I am originally from India and have worked in India and USA. I have been active with Indian organizations here and have been helping them arrange /plan events and shows.

I am not sure of which schools I should apply with my profile. I am also considering a 1 year MBA program, but it seems there are very few schools offering a one year MBA.
It would be great if you could let me know which schools would be the best match for my profile. I am looking for schools in USA.
Here is my profile:

Work ex : 5 years in IT
GPA : 3.4
GMAT : 680

I am currently working in the IT industry (Oracle Consulting to be specific). I would like to continue staying in this field as I find it interesting. But my aim is to move up the career ladder. I have been working on coding/testing and that kind of stuff for 5 years now. I believe I have had enough exposure to that and would like to learn more about how to manage a project, how to deal with project / technology related challenges.


The reason I am looking at 1 year MBA programs is so that I can get back into the market as soon as possible are - I would not be out of touch with technology for too long. While I am aiming for a MBA in Systems/IT, I still would need to be in touch with technology and its latest offerings. And I think it would mean quicker progress.


I have taken the GMAT only once. I was also wondering if taking it a second time might improve my chances of getting into a better school. I am still contemplating that.

I really appreciate your advice. I am looking forward to hear from you.
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by Lisa Anderson » Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:39 pm
Dear axechik,

Based on the limited information you posted, I think there are many programs that you would be competitive for based on your GMAT and work experience. As for determining which schools, I will direct you to our sticky on school selection for some tips and insights. You are correct that there are few one year MBA options in the US, so if that is what you wish to do, then you should be able to narrow your list to research quickly. Since you want to stay in your current career path, you could also consider part-time programs (evenings or weekends) and not quit your job. As for your GMAT, a higher score will definitely not hurt you, but it is unclear if you need to retake the GMAT without having your schools identified. You have a great score, so the only reason to retake is if you decide to apply to programs with GMAT averages over 700.

Good luck,
Lisa
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by axechik » Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:05 am
Hi Lisa,

I really appreciate your reply.
Do you think a part time MBA would be considered equivalent to a full time MBA? If I am applying for a job and there is a guy with similar profile but has done full time MBA, wouldn't he be given a preference?

Thanks a ton!

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by Lisa Anderson » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:45 pm
Dear axechik,

Part-time MBA programs are generally equivalent in terms of content with full-time programs. Differences come down to more of delivery and student experience (also the ability to do an internship is only in full-time programs). While there are a few industries that prefer MBAs from full-time programs, that is not the norm and becoming less of an issue all the time. In my opinion, since you are not wanting to make a big change and have plenty of direct experience, it would seem recruiters hiring for the jobs of interest to you will not care so much about whether you attended school part-time versus full-time.

Regards,
Lisa
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