Evaluate my profile - Experience in mining industry

[vishalogy]

Here is my background:

1. GMAT Score: 690 (Q 49 V 35) on 2nd attempt (this is my biggest concern)

2. Academics:
Academics, I think is my strongest point
2.1 Undergrad - B.Tech in Mineral Engineering from Indian School of Mines with a GPA of 4.42/5.0, university 2nd. (Topper had a GPA of 4.44, I barely missed the gold medal)
2.2 Grad - Masters in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah with a GPA of 4.0/4.0

3. Work Ex:
I have been working in various roles in a mining company called Kennecott Utah Copper which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto (worlds 3rd largest mining company)

3.1 Control Room Engineer: June 2006- June 2007
Responsible for the operation of a $600M smelting complex. (No kidding the whole operation was controlled from the central control room)

3.2 Shift Process Engineer: June2007- June 2008
Monitored, troubleshot extractive metallurgical process equipment to ensure peak operating efficiency and generated maximum plant profitability.
Provided technical assistance to operations and maintenance personnel specifically regarding process chemistry, process control, and instrumentation issues.

3.3 Acid Plant and Power House Area Engineer: 2008-to current
Technical in-charge of the acid plant and the power house areas of the smelter.
(I am the youngest area engineer at the smelter, all my colleagues are 30+, typically the job requires 6-7 yrs work ex)

3.4 VSA (vacation, sick and absent) coverage for Acid Plant supervisors: July 2009 to current
Responsible for production and operations of the acid plant along with performing my normal job duties of Acid Plant and Power House Area Engineer.
Supervision over hourly employees with a crew of up to 28 people reporting to me

I can elaborate plenty more on my actual job duties and job achievements.

4.0 Extracurricular/Co-curricular:
4.1 General Secretary of student body at Mineral Engineering Department, ISM Dhanbad. (2003)
4.2 President of student body at Mineral Engineering Department, ISM Dhanbad. (2004)
4.3 Research assistantship (University of Utah, 2004-2006)
4.4 Teaching assistantship (University of Utah, 2005)
4.5 Project Coordinator, Salt Lake City Chapter of ASHA for education (2006-2008)
4.6 Represented my undergrad university in basketball at state level
4.7 Won several dance, literary competitions in undergrad.
4.8 Organized India Night at university of Utah for 3 years.
Etc. etc.

I understand that there is plenty representation of Indians in top b-schools and my Indian ethnicity does not add any advantage in terms of diversity b-schools are looking for. But I was hoping that my mining related background with hands-on operational, and process engineering experience will differential my application from other stereotypes.

My fields of interest are finance and entrepreneurship.

I was planning to apply for HBS, Sloan, Wharton, Haas, Tuck or Columbia and one of UCLA/ Darden/Texas-Austin for safety.

Am I being too ambitious or you think I stand a fair chance. Should I drop a couple of top schools and get a couple of 10-20 ranked universities in my list for safety.

Also, do any of you consultants have a local office in Salt Lake City, Utah???

Thanks a lot.

[Bryant@VeritasPrep]

Thanks for your post...While you are correct in that there is never a shortage of Indian males applying to US business schools, I wouldn't let it dissuade you. If you can cast a compelling vision for your post-MBA plan and rally the adcoms with an engaging story about why now is a great time for you to return to school, you have a good shot. You can't get much more diverse than a background in metalurgy! And by the way, a 690 is a great GMAT score. All they want to see is that you can handle the academics, and with your dual degree background and GMAT, this will not be called to question. The only reason to get a 700 plus on the GMAT is to help the school boost their average score. remember, half the applicants to any given school score below the mean. As for consultants, don't worry about one being local. For example, with a three school package from Veritas, you would get unlimited access to your head consultant via phone and email, and would also work directly with a separate specialist consultant who actually graduated from each of your schools. Really quite a good approach, but alas, I am biased. By the way, have you considered GA Tech? Very affordable and rocketing through the rankings (up to #22 this year and climbling) and about half their students in the MBA program have engineering background....you might want to consider it as one of your backups, especially since their international student percentage needs a boost. Good luck!

[vishalogy]

Thanks for your post...While you are correct in that there is never a shortage of Indian males applying to US business schools, I wouldn't let it dissuade you. If you can cast a compelling vision for your post-MBA plan and rally the adcoms with an engaging story about why now is a great time for you to return to school, you have a good shot. You can't get much more diverse than a background in metalurgy! And by the way, a 690 is a great GMAT score. All they want to see is that you can handle the academics, and with your dual degree background and GMAT, this will not be called to question. The only reason to get a 700 plus on the GMAT is to help the school boost their average score. remember, half the applicants to any given school score below the mean. As for consultants, don't worry about one being local. For example, with a three school package from Veritas, you would get unlimited access to your head consultant via phone and email, and would also work directly with a separate specialist consultant who actually graduated from each of your schools. Really quite a good approach, but alas, I am biased. By the way, have you considered GA Tech? Very affordable and rocketing through the rankings (up to #22 this year and climbling) and about half their students in the MBA program have engineering background....you might want to consider it as one of your backups, especially since their international student percentage needs a boost. Good luck!

Bryan, Thanks for the message. I did not consider GA Tech yet but I will look into it now.