Profile Evaluation

[NightShade003]

Hey All,

First post here and am looking for some feedback on my current profile. I still have another 1 - 2 years before I apply to schools, but I'm trying to get things done early and work on any weak areas.

Target Schools (in order of preference)
MiT Sloan
NYU Stern
Carnegie Mellon Tepper
Harvard
Wharton
Duke
Darden

Education
BS in Information Systems (Mix of business and comp sci classes)
3.0 from an average state school
While my GPA is low, I basically started from scratch my junior year of college and completed 90% of my degree in 2 years by doing 21 credits a semester + 12 over the summer + 3 in winter. Also worked a full time job to put myself through college (40+ hours a week)

GMAT
Haven't taken it yet

Volunteer
Help with reading for elementary school kids twice a week
Mentor high school kids on a variety of topics

Hobbies
Chess, Reading, Piano

Awards
Received two entrepreneurial awards during undergrad

Work Experience
4.5 years total
Had 4 different jobs changing roles and doubling salary each time (purpose of changing roles was to gain exposure to different areas of IT)
Started two of my own businesses - S Corps (both profitable first year and going strong)
Have two books published around IT training and certification

Certifications
Numerous networking, admin, and security certifications in the IT field...not sure if these help at all

Thanks in advance for any advice/feedback.

[99Colleges: MBA Admission]

Hi NightShade003,

B-schools value entrepreneurship a lot. So, in the next 1-2 years, see how you can further consolidate this experience (increase revenues, markets, product categories etc.). I get the impression that you are still involved in the ventures you started. Entrepreneurship will play a key role in your application. Also, keep working on hobbies/ volunteer work etc. and not to mention work towards a 700+ GMAT score.

[apphelp]

Since you are targeting all top schools in US, GMAT score will be really important because a considerable portion of your work ex ( even if you apply in 2013/14) will be IT.

So, according to us you should target a 740+ or so.

While to strengthen your business in next 1-2 years try to also think about answers to the following

1) Who will manage the business in your absence. Remember, US programs are 2 yr.
2) If your business in doing so good why do you want to invest 80lacs in MBA leave aside the opportunity cost. Think like a businessman and invest the same in your business
3) How has your business grown in last 2 -3 yrs, how has team grown? May Indians try to fool adcoms presenting the entrepreneur story ( we are not saying that you are one of them ) but your business should appear really genuine
4) Try to get press coverage, awards etc to make your case strong. This will prove useful from MBA application point of view.

Hope this helps.

Apphelp Team