Hi--

I think you have a shot at getting into a solid program but there are definitely some challenges here. Taking your concerns one-by-one:

Lack of b-school type classes

This is not a deal-breaker for two reasons. First, lots of people go into b-school w/ liberal arts degrees, etc., and not much exposure to finance, accounting, etc. The classic solution (and this might be a good one for you) is to take some classes at a local community college or evening program.

Lack of leadership responsibilities during employment

I'm not so much worried about the lack of leadership as I am about the nature of the work. You were a patent examiner which is technically demanding but I'm not clear on what business role you had exactly. What is also not clear to me is how your current position related to your interest in business, a question that will certainly need to be addressed in your essays.

So...my solution (and it sounds easier than it is!) is to try and change jobs and work in a private corporation for a year or two to get some management experience. At two years, you are on the early side for business school.

My GPA

This is less of a concern, especially considering that you have an engineering degree. My experience is that admission committees take a more merciful look at engineering GPAs than, say, English or Education GPAs.


(also, not sure who will write recom. letters for me.)

This is a tough problem for you b/c my guess is that you have limited exposure to folks outside the patent office. You may have to get somebody from an extracurricular activity or something similar if you have tapped out your potential recommenders at the patent office.


In General...

My take is that you are a bit on the early side to be applying, your extra-curriculars are a bit thin, and your work experience is not a natural flow-in to business school. Luckily, you have a few years to remedy those obstacles and, by then, you will be a stronger and more natural business school applicant anyway. Furthermore, you will have a better sense of your own goals and which MBA programs might be a good fit.

Pleaset let me know if you have other questions.

Cheers--

Paxton