Profile Evaluation

[hagadre]

Hi,

Please provide your valuable tips on my candidacy to the following programs:

Univ of Chicago
Wharton
Columbia
Tuck
NYU

Indian Male, 28

Goal: Shor term: Work in the field of finance. Long term: Management position in Finance and would like to start my own education fund.

GMAT SCORES:

620 (Q45, V31) AWA 5.0 First Attempt
680 (Q49, V33) AWA 6.0 Second Attempt

Academics:
Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering
Master's in Chemical Engineering w 3.5 GPA from US
Certificate in Finance [NYIF]
Certificate in Portfolio Management [2 Courses pending; NYIF]

Experience:

Teaching Assistant - 6 months [Stevens Inst of Technology, New Jersey]
Research Assistant - 2 yrs [Stevens Inst of Tech]
Business Analyst - 6 months [Educational Testing Services]
Lead Business Analyst/Asst. Project Manager - 3 yrs [Educational Testing Services]

Although, I have been working in software development, I am not sure if my experience comes under the typical umbrella of quote n quote ''IT". My work has been mostly revolved aroung process improvement in software development and project management. I was promoted to lead the team and asst with project management activities within 6 months of joining. Also, the industry that i am working in i.e. Educational services [ETS; non-for-profit] should of some assistance in differentiating my profile, at least I hope.

Extra Curriculars:
Organized various religious gathering throughout my childhood.
Participated in raising money for charity throughout my school.
Have been the captain of cricket team
Also have tutored students in Mathematics

Please let me know if I am overshooting.

[hagadre]

Hi Paxton,

Can you please give your valuable insights?

Thx

[Paxton Helms - Kaplan]

Hi and thanks for your question. I think you are a possible candidate at those programs but I would also apply to some less prestigious ones as well.

In terms of your candidacy, the long work experience is good as is the combination of work experience in education (though, obviously, not as a teacher) and the finance training. Those fit very nicely w/ your long-term goals and, in my opinion, make good sense.

The challenge is that your GMAT is a bit low for those top programs and I don't get a sense of great career progression. Does that make sense?

So...I think you're a candidate but if you are really committed to getting an MBA I would also shoot for some slightly less prestigious (but still very very good!!) programs to increase your chances of having an option to go somewhere next fall.