Profile Evaluation

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Profile Evaluation

by caliguy » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:05 pm
Hello,

Please give me an honest evaluation. I was drawn to and applied to Babson's Fast Track program based on the school's reputation in entrepeneurship.

-DISMISSED from UCLA with a 2.1 GPA (video game addiction) in 1997
-Completed bachelor's in marketing at U of Phoenix (yuck!) with 3.6 GPA in 2003
-No GMAT score (confident I can hit 650+; admissions director told me that I may not need to submit)

-11 years total experience at 2 high tech start-ups.
-6 years experience at start-up as 12th employee; company eventually had successful IPO. Had roles as customer support supervisor, product specialist, project manager, API program manager, manager of strategic projects. Instrumental in securing company's largest customer. I was promoted 4 times and managed 3 different teams. Team sizes ranged from 4-15 people.

-Left company on good terms and started my own hardware reselling and technology consulting company 5 years ago. Current position is President. Company currently has 5 employees with revenues that will be around $1.3 million in 2009 and $4 million in 2010. Profitable since 2007.

-I am specifically drawn to Babson because of its entrepeneurial focus.

Are there any other schools I should consider? I can only consider distance learning programs for now (need to stay in 1 place to manage the company) or schools that are local to the bay area of california.

Thanks so much!
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by Sophia007 » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:25 am
Please help me understand whether you have 11 yrs of work experience (out of which 6 yrs at start-up as 12th employee). This is not clear from your profile.

I am more interested in 'what' did you do during your working years as a 'President'. I need more information on the actual work that you did while you opened your own start up.

Also, please help me understand - If you are a President of a company. Why do you need an MBA at this point in your career? Don't you think it would hinder your firms's progression/ growth track and revenue? How do you plan to balance it out? What impact will this have on its employees? Are you planning to enroll in a full-time or part-time program?

Please think through this when you are planning to write your essays. You have too many bottlenecks to clear up.

Please provide further information if you need further guidance.
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by caliguy » Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:45 pm
Hi Sophia,

Thank you for your reply. Sorry that I wasn't clear. Yes, I have 11 total years of work experience in hi tech.

I plan to pursue either a weekend or distance MBA program so that it doesn't adversely affect my company. In fact, I hope things that I learn during my MBA studies will positively and immediately impact what I am doing today. Programs that I am interested in will give me a stronger analytical background, and also open up my eyes to other entrepeneurial endeavors.

Here's my experience:

*6 years at a start-up company in various roles. Company eventually outgrew its start-up status and went public.

*Left above company and started my own company 5 years ago where I am president, overseeing all aspects of the company's sales, biz dev and financial decisions.

*When I started the company, I initially built an informal biz plan(hence 1 of my needs for mba), but was able to secure modest private capital investments. We initially developed a web-based pay service, but it didn't work out. We've switched directions a bit and are now selling hardware and consulting services.

*For the first few years, we were losing money and I considered folding the company...but we had a breakthrough in early 2008, and now we are profitable.

*I recently secured a very large contract that will quadruple our revs in 2010. But it's an extremely risky...and 1 or 2 missteps could jeopardize our company. So I am worried. This new contract will severely hamper our cash flow flexibility (since our customer will be asking us for huge credit limits) and force us to reign in credit that we currently issue to our other customers.

I feel like I need an MBA for the following reasons:

-I don't have formal training on how to financial analysis. Need tools to help me perform more empirical risk assessment.
-I believe my company has a real opportunity to grow in other areas, but I need to secure more capital to make it happen. I also need to secure more capital to mitigate our anticipated future cash flow problems. I don't know how to do this, and I don't think my current education will enable me to convince outside capital sources.
-We could certainly continue with our current business, but I want to grow...and I need to have more knowledge about opportunities that I could be missing. I believe an MBA will help me do this.
-I need to be able to translate our complex business model into layman's terms, for both customers AND for potential investors. I lack the language of standard business models.
-I wish to be able to negotiate future large contracts from a greater position of strength by quantifying the value to my clients. MBA will help me do this.

I hope that makes sense. I look forward to your response!

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by Sophia007 » Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:53 pm
I plan to pursue either a weekend or distance MBA program so that it doesn't adversely affect my company.
Makes sense and probably for someone in your situation, this is a good decision.
Programs that I am interested in will give me a stronger analytical background, and also open up my eyes to other entrepeneurial endeavors.
The reason I asked you was to make sure you are very clear about what do you want from your degree since it will cost your time and effort on top of running your business.
*For the first few years, we were losing money and I considered folding the company...but we had a breakthrough in early 2008, and now we are profitable.
You have something very unique to offer to the program. This experience can be used in your essays to showcase how you turned things around.

You have valid and strong reasons to be going for a program. However, my only suggestion would be that you apply to more than one B-school that suits your needs [ 3-5 B-schools in your case]. You could check with the current students enrolled in Babson on what other options did.

Hope this helps.
Good Luck.
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by caliguy » Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:14 pm
Hello Sophia,

Thank you very much for your feedback! That's the reason Babson is my #1 choice, but I definitely understand the need to have a few other schools in mind.

Indiana U (Kelley Direct) has a program that I'm also interested in, but seems much more competitive. Given my credentials (both good and bad), do you think I am a viable candidate for Babson and Indiana?

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by Sophia007 » Thu Oct 08, 2009 11:08 am
Hi Caliguy,

I'd recommend that you apply to BOTH! Never put all your eggs in one basket :)

Can you simply email me if you have further questions? Sorry, I've been busy with other candidates as 1st round deadlines are approaching fast.

Warm regards,
-S
Sophia Pathak| Admissions Consultant |

If my post was helpful, let me know by pushing the thanks button.:) Please free to directly email me at [email protected]. ANY questions are welcome! check out what others have to say about their experience with me https://mymbamentor.com/?page_id=31