Naval Officer Profile Evaluation

[awolfinwater]

Hello,

I am in the process of being transferred to the Detroit area to work as a Navy Recruiter and finish my commitment to the Navy. My question is what are my chances on getting accepted to the University of Michigan Ross school of business (Evening Program).

GPA: 3.63 (Major: 3.83) Computer Engineering from U of Michigan - Ann Arbor (Minors in Math and Physics)

GMAT: 760 (Q49/V44)

Work Experience: Currently finishing my tour as a Nuclear Submarine Officer, including one year of intense Nuclear training. Responsible for proper operation of multi-billion dollar submarine and nuclear reactor at sea and safe proper maintenance conducted in port.
Job Titles: Quality Assurance Officer - Responsible for all maintenance, training, and qualifications associated with QA on board a fast attack submarine.
Damage Control Assistant - Division officer in charge of 17 people.
Command Fitness Leader - Ensure that the Navy standard of fitness is upheld for over 150 crew members including a special program to enhance fitness for members not in standard.
Scuba Diving Officer - Diving Supervisor for all dives on board submarine as well as in charge of a division of 5 divers.

Extracurricular (weak point): In college, Battalion Commander(highest ranked) for a Navy ROTC unit of 120 members, participated in countless intramural sports, and volunteered as a tutor. Since college: with the exception of intramural sports, none.

Even though it is part of my job, the program I have in place for fitness enhancement requires a lot of additional time outside the normal work day and has very successful results. Can I count this as an extra curricular activity?

Awards: Navy Achievement Medal, Qualified Engineer of a Nuclear Reactor, and various ribbons for successful accomplishing missions in support of the global war on terrorism.

I am not sure how the lack of extracurricular activities will hurt my chances from being accepted to the Ross school of business. How helpful is my military background?

Thanks for you time.

[Amy]

Hi awolfinwater,

I think your chances are quite good - you have strong academics and interesting work experience to talk about. As long as you write great essays and really convey your experiences and goals, I think you are a strong candidate.

A military background is a great way to demonstrate leadership and significant responsibility - I've observed that the military allows you much more responsibility and very serious leadership experiences earlier in your career than you would have in the private sector.

Your lack of extracurriculars is fairly common among military applicants - your schedule likely didn't permit them. It's a concern, but if you literally can't do extracurriculars there is not much you can do about it. You can't count a work duty as an extracurricular unless it is a work sponsored volunteer activity.

Good luck!

Amy

[awolfinwater]

Thank you Amy for the quick response. One follow up question: What are some good resources for writing essays? I just picked up "Great Application Essays for Business School" by Bodine and "How To Get Into the Top MBA Programs, 4th Edition (How to Get Into the Top Mba Programs)" by Richard Montauk.

Thanks again!

[Amy]

Hi awolfinwater,

We don't recommend those books actually - because it tends to make applicants believe that if they did what the sample writer did they will get in. We don't see the process as formulaic - it is really about explaining your own story clearly and concisely, and not really about following a boilerplate style or using particular lingo.

That being said, if you want an idea how others have written an MBA essay it may be helpful to read a few. I'm sure the books you are reading are good, I think they are popular.

Good luck!

Amy