Profile evaluation and some questions

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Profile evaluation and some questions

by falxori » Tue May 06, 2008 3:29 am
hello, and thank you for all your help.
I'd appreciate a quick evaluation and I also have a couple a questions.

my profile:

target schools: Stanford, MIT, Berkely, and probably Tuck and/or Duke.
I was looking for smaller programs with a strong strategy/mngmt and high tech features (so if there are other options, I'll be happy to hear of them).

info:
-Age: 29 (will be 30 at application time)
-I have dual citizenship (Israel/USA) but i've been living in Israel since I was a child (but, I won't have work permit issues in the US)
-GMAT: T: 780 Q: 50, V: 47, AWA: 4 (is the AWA problematic?)

-Academics:
-B.Sc in Electronic engineering, Tel-Aviv University (GPA: ~79/100), was working part time but low GPA is mostly because I was young and stupid...
-Masters in systems engineering, Technion (GPA 94, Cum Laude), also led a team of 6 in one of the major projects.

work experience:
- 2 years as Product marketing manager (Telecommunications)
including a lot of international experience (trade shows, customer demos, etc.)
- 2 years as a sales engineer (same company as above, a more technical role)

- 4 years in R&D
- I'm leading several projects but currently do not supervise anyone directly (usually 3-5 people in a project, might get someone under me directly soon)
- at least one promotion in my current workplace (hoping for the 2nd one), received the excellent employee award for 2007, several other commendation letters for past projects.
- I can get very good recommendations from our VP marketing (also supervised me directly) and from the CMO.

Community service:
- about 8 years as a volunteer fire fighter, received the Mayor's awards for community service. (this is pretty old but still very important time in my life)
- A member of the Israeli Skydiving Association board of directors in the past 4 years (as comptroller), an elective role. promoting the skydiving sport in Israel by setting standards, arranging events and championships, etc.
- currently volunteering with Children (tutoring and social activities)
- organizing an annual skydiving training camp (30-60 people), can tell very nice stories of community impact here.


and now for the questions:
- how big of a problem is age in these schools? I've read all about the trends, but I'm thinking about whether i should invest less in the Stanford Application since age may be a problem for them.
- recommendations: I will get on from either my direct supervisor (VP Marketing) or from the CMO which is also an american and knows me pretty well. for the 2nd letter, which of the following will be better: a letter from a BOD member of the skydiving association that can write about my contribution and activities there and can also describe the annual skydiving training camp that I (with another friend) initiated . or, should the 2nd letter be from a professional background too (I can get one from a previous employer). I know that some schoold say they prefer work related recommenders but I feel i'll miss out on some of the "added value" things i've done.

and again, thank you very much for your help
Ori
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by Lisa Anderson » Tue May 06, 2008 8:16 am
Dear Ori,

The AWA score of a 4 might be problematic, but it is hard to say as there is wide variance on how schools use the AWA. I tend to think it will not be an issue more often than not, but it might be worth a little research on your target schools to see if your AWA score is something you should address directly in your application.

I do not think your age will be a concern for any of the schools you mention as you are within the range of the majority of business school students (25-32). So I would not consider this an issue you need to address.

If I were you, I would have your direct supervisor and CMO of your current company write your recommendations. Most schools prefer recommendations from professional relationships more than personal relationships. In the event you need a third recommendation, then I think you could ask the BOD member.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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