Profile Evaluation

[dhfox1123]

Hi Amy,
I am trying to get a general sense of where I stand. I am planning on applying to a couple schools in the #10 to #25 range. (NYU, UVA, and Georgetown, maybe 1 or 2 others.)

Undergrad:
-Hamilton College in Upstate NY. I
-Majored in Geology with a minor in Economics.
-Overall GPA is about a 2.9/4.0.

-Have also taken various "continuing ed" courses in various technical subjects over the last few years and a Managerial Economics "first year business class" at American University. (recieved an A-)

GMATS:
-720:
-Verbal 45
-Quant 44

Work Exp:
URS Corporation (2003-Present)
-Position: Geologist
- I work for an Environmental Consulting group. We investigate sites with subsurface contamination(superfund type sites. We also remediate certain sites and provide ongoing monitoring for others. I write work plans, proposals, and investigation and monitoring reports. I also set-up, design and oversee drilling projects, and sampling programs and analyze a wide variety of environmental data.
I Specialize in In-Situ anaerobic bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents. I have co-authored a technical paper and given a presentation at a professional conference on URS's use of this technology at Dover Air Force Base in DE.

Awards/Extracurricular:
-Dover Airforce Base won two awards in 2006: Best Environmental Program in the Airforce and also Best Environmental Program in the Department of Defense. (My group essentially runs their environmental program so I think these awards are worth putting on my resume)
-Also our Dover team won the 2006 "Best Project team" in our office of about 400 people.
-Played soccer for four years in college on Hamilton's Div III team. (3 year starter, 1 conference championship, 1 Northeast region championship and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAAs one year.
-Treasurer of my fraternity for 1 year
-However, I don't have anything worth mentioning since college.

I would like to work in the Alternative Energy field or return to the environmental consulting field in more of a managerial role when I graduate. Do you think the #10 to #25 range is appropriate? Do I have a realistic chance of a top #10 school?
any advice would be appreciated!
thank you
Dave

[Amy]

Hi Dave,

I think you have a chance, and would probably try at least one top 10 in your mix. Take a look at the school selection sticky for how to start approaching the process.

I would be most concerned about your very technical background and whether you have displayed leadership and management potential. If you have, that is something to highlight. Extracurriculars are also important and I would start involvement in one if you don't already participate. Leadership in an extracurricular activity is ideal.

Good luck!

Amy

[dhfox1123]

Amy,
Thanks for taking a look at my profile. I am having some difficulty deciding if I should provide a resume or a CV with my application. Do all schools accept a CV instead of a resume? For someone with my background, would you suggest using the standard 1-page resume format or do you think a CV would be more useful in presenting my background and experiences?
Thanks for your help,
Dave

[Amy]

Hi Dave,

Much as you would tailor your resume for the specific job you want, you should tailor your MBA resume to highlight the skills that the admissions committee is interested in knowing about. I would format the resume in the same professional format (one page) that MBA students do, rather than a multi-page CV.

Many MBA clubs post student resumes online - for example, the real estate club at Wharton has a sample of current student resumes that may help you: https://realestate.wharton.upenn.edu/resumebook/

Good luck!

Amy