Please evaluate my profile (10 yrs exp)

[shikhsal]

Please guide me based on my profile:

GMAT: 720 (Q:51, V:35), AWA: 5.0
Age: 30yrs
Education: BE Electronics 1996-2000, GPA 3.3
Nationality: Indian
Experience: 9 years



Industry: Semiconductors design through out.



Career: Manager for last 2.5 years. Had quick promotions in last 4 yrs. Good leadership shown throughout career.
Currently acting as Senior manager with few managers reporting to me.


EC: I am driving industry awareness for my Under Grad school(Indian schools are generally not connected at all with industry) through focussed events such as seminars, career counselling...., I am involved in suggesting syllabus for their new courses.
My direct community work involves working as a member to help a orphanage in raising funds and providing educational tools in terms presentations etc.
Used to manage my family business till college days
Lots of EC activities at work.
Core member of India Diversity Forum - This is organisation within my company that looks into how to mantain and increase diversity within the organisation.
Little or no EC during under grad.


I want to go into Consulting profile after graduation.

I have done some analysis and came to below list. Please give your comment on this.

Stretch
Chicago
Kellogg
Columbia
Tuck

Sweet Spot
Haas
Stern
Anderson
Tepper
Yale

Safe
McCombs
Emory

Please suggest what you think. I want to join school in a big city that has good opportunities of software work for my wife. Please suggest other schools if you disagree with this list.



Do you think my age is a big issue? Though I can't do much about it!!

Do you think my GMAT is too skewed?? Do you suggest giving it again? I think I can get 37 in V.

Do you think I need to highlight my EC in much better way to hit my school shortlist??

I want to do full time course as I plan to change my career from technology to consulting.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear shikhsal,

Overall, you have the profile to be a competitive applicant for any program. However, having the profile is not enough to get the offer of admission in schools that are highly selective, like most of your "stretch" and "sweet spot" schools. You need to make a compelling case to have you in the class over all of the applicants with similar profiles. What makes you unique? What experiences, personal or professional, have greatly impacted you? Perhaps your EC activities will be helpful in this regard? If you present a great set of essays, good recommendations, and do well in your interviews, then I think you have a chance at the schools on your list.

Your school list is long, so you might consider narrowing it down. I'm not sure I agree with your labels for some, but I can see why you have put them where you have. It is hard to say what label is appropriate for you with only the information presented. Thus you should go with your instincts on where a school falls on your list.

To answer your other questions:

Do you think my age is a big issue?
I do not think your age is an issue at all. You will fall in the mid-50% range for age at most full-time programs, albeit on the higher side of experience.

Do you think my GMAT is too skewed?? Do you suggest giving it again? I think I can get 37 in V.
I do not think your GMAT is too skewed. It is a good score. Your essays and interview can support your English ability, so use those to demonstrate your command of the language. If you have time, without sacrificing the other parts of your application, and want to take it again, a higher score will definitely not hurt you. I just don't think your current result warrants a retake.

Do you think I need to highlight my EC in much better way to hit my school shortlist??
Yes, I think your EC can be what distinguishes you from the other Indian engineers. You do not want to ignore your professional accomplishments, but it will be important for you to stand out and your personal experiences are probably the best way. Even though many of your EC activities are related to your work, they can still be powerful. Focus on those where you had a leadership role and utilized your interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[shikhsal]

Thanks Lisa for motivating reply. For last many days I have got negative reviews mainly on my Age.

I plan to reduce my list to 5-6 based on further analysis. The labels are again based on discussion with other people.

Can you re-arrange this list on how you feel. If you think some other school should be there, then please add it as well.

Thanks a lot for motivation and direction