European Eng. Profile: Please Evaluate.

[sisqokc]

Hi there,
have been reading the forum since a while, and this helped me to make a clear decision about doing an MBA or not.
So thank you guys for offering this opportunity.
Since I decided to jump on this path. As for one of my my first posts, I'll be glad if u could evaluate my profile and
my chances of hitting my target schools.

I'm a 30 Years old Engineer living in German, born in Africa and grew up in 3 different countries
for around 10 years each : France / Cameroon and Germany. Fluent in 3 language and basic knowledge in a 4th one


1) Brief description of your full-time work experience.
Started directly after the University in one of the TOP Fortune 100 companies in the automotive sector in Germany.
I have a total of 4 and a half year of work experience in this company as of today.
As an electrical Engineer, I'm reponsible for supporting the integration of all electrical components
for 2 specific product lines for my department. I've initiated 2 cost reducing actions with a positive impact of
several millions for the company
Actually leading an interdisciplinar team (5-6).. but have no presonal responsability over the member of the team.
I've been promoted one time, with no real impact on my daily job due to the structure of the company.

2) Your GMAT.
Not taken yet, still in preparation. Tagerting a score of 700+.
So u may consider this virtual score for enabling your evaluation

3) College info: The name of the college, your GPA or grade average, your major, year of graduation. For any graduate degrees, please provide the same info. If you grades are low, please indicate if there were extenuating circumstances.
I have a 85% GPA in electrical Engineering from a not very renowned 4 Year college in Germany.
Trying to convert to the US Grades system, I think it relates to a A- or a 3.1-3.2(not sure).

4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
Excepted some tutoring experiences for college freshman during my 3rd and 4th semseter, I had no real extra
curricular activities during college. This is due to the fact that I had to self-finance my studies.
Post College:Since 1 year, I'm member of the board of a non profit organisation with a yearly cashflow of around 3mio€
and responsible for the finances (CFO).

5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.
No Certifications.

6) Your target programs.
1st Choice: Wharton, Booth, LBS, Insead,
2nd Choice: Kellogg, Cambridge judge, Tuck, Ross, Duke, Stern.
3rd choice (safe??): Emory, Tepper, Darden,

7) Your post-MBA goal.
Since I have a passion for trading, My first short term target will be to achieve a change into I-Banking or PE.
My second Option would be to go into consulting.
The long Term target would be to come back in the industry at middle to high management level after
gathering enough experiences, or starting my own company.

To get the most out of this evaluation, I have some additional questions:

A) Are my choices (Target schools) and goals realsitic, or should I make some adjustements?
B) Are there any hidden strengths at first sight out of my profile? (I thing my intercultural backgroung should
be at least one).
C) Any Ideas, how can I differenciate from the typical Engineer applicant considering my profile?

Thanks in advance for the answer.
Ced.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Ced,

Your GMAT score will be telling in terms of your competitiveness for the schools you are considering. Without knowing your actual score, it is hard to comment on your chances at any program. You appear to have some quality work experience with some team and leadership examples for your essays and interviews. Your transcript from college and extracurricular activities also appear to be assets to your application. Since you are wanting to make a significant career change, it will be important to show you have some transferable skills and a thoughtful plan to actualize your goals. For the schools you currently have on your list, you will need to find a way to differentiate your application from the thousands of other applicants to these programs. So, think about your personal background and work with the nonprofit--be sure to highlight unique aspects of your background to use to your advantage. Once you know your GMAT score, you will have a better idea of whether or not these schools are within reach or a larger stretch for you.

Best of luck,
Lisa