Profile Eval

[jrek]

Hello Stacy,
Thanks for all the help that you provide for numerous individuals through this forum and more… I do wish to employ your firm soon for my MBA application and admission journey for 2008. However, could you kindly illuminate on my chances on the schools listed below according to the following profile?

Undergraduate:
• GPA: >3.7
• Major: Computer Science
• School: Started off part-time at a Community College and graduated from 2nd tier US liberal arts school.

Graduate
• GPA: ~3.0 (thinking of not even mentioning graduate school for the purpose of the application since I have two undesirable grades due to heavy work load – your insight on this appreciated)
• Major: Engineering
• School: Ivy League

- GMAT: Haven’t taken it yet – hoping for around 700.

- resume highlights, including company name, job titles and promotions

I was hired into an engineering leadership training track with one of the largest defense contractors. I will have 8 years of experience in 2008 with study career progression with few notable leadership experiences such as leading few teams and solving minor business problems using innovative approaches.

- extracurricular involvements
Do take part in company participating events such as Habitat for Humanity and teaching local high school with Junior Achievement etc…

- awards, patents, publications, etc...
Have few company awards and have a notable presentation under my name.

- interesting personal facts - countries lived in, challenges faced, unusual interests
I was in the US Military as an enlisted individual, have few awards under my name from there also. Lead church choir for two years and won various local competitions. Lead local volley ball team for the state league for two years.

Targeting schools: Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, MIT & NYU.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Stacy Blackman]

You appear to be a solid candidate for the schools you list, HBS would obvioulsy be the biggest stretch though from what I can see not an impossibility.
- How would you not mention the graduate work? Wouldn't there be a gap in your resume?
- Have you been with the same company for eight years?
- You should think about ways to inject your extra-curricular activities with more leadership. Being a participant is nice, but leading in some way will be much stronger.
Good luck!

[jrek]

Thank you for your valuable advice - I've attended graduate school while I was working full time - hence, low grade - hence, the hesitancy to show it. So there would be no gap in my resume.

Yes, I've worked for the same company for all 8 years. Is it good or bad?

[Stacy Blackman]

I would mention grad school - it's better to be honest and you can explain the low GPA by discssing the full time job.

Eight years at the same job is okay if you can show that you have really excelled and progressed.

[jrek]

Thanks again - will contact you after my GMAT.