Need your opinion!

[chster]

Hi,
I just started looking at MBA as a serious option recently. And think I could really use some help from the experienced people, because my case may be a bit uncommon.

I am a 33-year-old male. Chinese.
Went to USC for graduate school. PhD in a non-IT major from Engineering school
only 3 year working experience by next August in the R&D center of an F500 company
Not sure if my GPA for undergraduate still matters here.
Haven't taken GMAT yet, but it's easier than GRE to me. >700 shouldn't be a problem.

After MBA, I would like to take up a position in a consultancy firm focusing on the same field or play a role in global strategy and management for a leading company. My strength is analytical thinking (thanks to my PhD training), international exposure (study and work in three continents), cross unit collaboration experience. I really think my future is beyond just R&D, while my training and experience from research actually can be crucial for the career later.

My weakness is very obvious. Relatively old with relatively short WE. My experience in management and leadership is growing gradually, but nothing jumping out comparing to lots of other applicants. Right now I supervise a small research team and chair the committee which oversees the daily operation of the site.

I hope I can gain some honest feedback from you. What effect will having a PhD have on my application? Is the combination of my age and WE a big disadvantage to me? Getting MBA is a big decision not only career wise, also money wise. At this stage of my life, I would only go for it if it's from a top school. I have no idea what the odds are. And this is the reason I will really appreciate your help.

Thanks a lot!

[Bryant@VeritasPrep]

your profile is exactly the kind of outlier that could get attention of top schools. Being unique is hard to do these days, but your profile fits the bill. 33 is actually young to have a PhD and if you publications and achievements are substantial, you can expect to have a run at a top 10 school assuming all your other things come into place (GMAT etc). They will like your post MBA vision and you seem to be driven to succeed and should be highly employable. Being Chinese is an advantage as well, as China does not have as many applications out there in the pool. Let us know if we can help bring out your best.