Evaluation of Profile

[chandler85]

Hello Stacy

I have completed 2 years of work and I will have 3 years when i join the course in August 2010. I have been working in the Market Research/ Consulting sector for the last 2 years in a company based out India. I am part of a few Associations and have organized a few events but I do not have any leadership experience.


I have a diverse work profile considering most Indian applicants are from the IT sector. I am not sure of which schools to apply and which grade of schools to consider.

GMAT Score- 720 (Q 50, VA 38)
UG- 77% (roughly 3.2 GPA)

Could you please evaluate the profile and let me know what universities I can apply to?

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear chandler85,

Based on the very limited information posted, I think you have a competitive profile for a top 40 program based on your GMAT and GPA. You should consider applying to a mix of schools, some inside the top 15 and some outside the top 15. Your work experience should help to distinguish you from other Indian applicants, but you will want to have a good set of essays and recommendations as well.

Good luck,
Lisa

[chandler85]

Dear Lisa,

Thanks a lot for replying so soon. I have a few follow up questions:

1. I want to specialize in Operations Management. Which B schools in the US in your opinion do you think are the best to apply to? Please also give me your opinion on my chances at Ross and McCombs.

2. Will the fact that i will have only three years of work experience at the time of joining affect my chances significantly? If so, would it be better if i waited another year before applying to top b schools.

3. As far as leadership is concerned, over the last 2 years i have headed two projects. I can't show seniority in terms of designation as promotions are given only once every three to four years in my organization. Is that good enough leadership experience?

4. Will a lack of social service activities play a role? While i was involved in a couple during high school, there has been no activity on that front since.

Thanks in advance.

[Lisa Anderson]

1. I want to specialize in Operations Management. Which B schools in the US in your opinion do you think are the best to apply to? Please also give me your opinion on my chances at Ross and McCombs.
I encourage you to visit our sticky on school selection for tips on identifying programs that are a good match for you. As stated previously, you have the foundation to be competitive at a top 40 program, but it will be the strength of your overall application that will determine the decision.

2. Will the fact that i will have only three years of work experience at the time of joining affect my chances significantly? If so, would it be better if i waited another year before applying to top b schools.
Having 3 years of experience, in and of itself, is neither a positive or negative. It is the quality of your experience, not the quantity, that matters. If you are ready to go to business school now, then you should apply now. The only reason to wait is if you will gain additional quality experience over the next year.

3. As far as leadership is concerned, over the last 2 years i have headed two projects. I can't show seniority in terms of designation as promotions are given only once every three to four years in my organization. Is that good enough leadership experience?
Progression and leadership in your career can be shown with what you have done in your tenure, not just in terms of titles. Whether or not your leadership experiences are "good enough" is relative. It is certainly a positive that you were designated to lead 2 projects, so use those experiences to your advantage in your applications.

4. Will a lack of social service activities play a role? While i was involved in a couple during high school, there has been no activity on that front since.
Perhaps. Many applicants will have a similar profile to you, except they will also have extracurricular activities with leadership roles. These activities give you a chance to distinguish yourself and gain skills/experience that you do not get in the workplace. It is not an automatic rejection that you do not have anything to note in this area, but it is a missed opportunity to stand out from the applicant pool.

Good luck,
Lisa