I have shortlisted 14 schools! Help!

[MrCleantek]

Hi people,
I am from India.
Here are my details:
Age: 28
GMAT: Taking GMAT in Feb. Getting scores of 650 to 680 in Mocks. Could not take GMAT earlier I can explain it to adcoms.
GPA: 3.4(66% in Engg)
Work ex: 4 years
Industry: IT(2.5 years Tech support IBM India for N.America+1.5 software testing)
Work achievements: Got 1 Bravo award and top performer in a team of 40 in IBM. Shown initiatives all the time. But limited leadership roles. Got promoted to senior. Now I am in Software testing in another small company.
EC: Worked in IBM Community services and after that working for 'Youth for Seva' in Bangalore.

Please help me to narrow down the list
I am targeting Round 2 and Round 3. Looks like it will be Round 3.
I am interested in Green Energy Consulting. So it will be Cleantech and Sustainability related.
I have shortlisted 14 schools since I have to go this year, 2013. Based on Cleantech states, Energy Clubs, mid level ranking and affordable schools(cheap).
I have selected schools in Cleantech major states, in and around Midwest region: Also a cleantech industry region.
Numbered ones are definitely APPLYING schools.
How to read the data: School name(Cheap or costly to attend)(Has energy club?)(P&Q top 100 ranking)(FT Value ranking) Deadlines Class size, GMAT avg, GPA, WrkEx, Int Student percentage
Here are the schools
1. Rice University: Jones (Costly)(Energy)(30)(v25) Jan 7, Feb 25 118, 673(680), 3.4, 4.8, 30%, 27% Rice is known in energy, Energy jobs

2. Boston School of Management (Costly)(Energy)(35)(v28) Jan 7, Mar 11 147, 682(620-740), 3.36, 5.2, 37%, 33% Clean energy minor

3. Ohio State University: Fisher (Cheap)(28)(v12) Jan 5, Mar 5 120, 673(640-720), 3.4, 4.9, 34% Cheap, Rank

4. Thunderbird (Costly)(Energy)(51)(v18) Jan 30, Mar 30 380, 601, 3.3, 4.5, 55% Its in Arizona closer to Colorado and CA(Cleantech major states)

5. Purdue University: Krannert (Cheap)(39)(v10) Jan 15, Mar 1 157 , 635, 3.32, 4.11, , 43% Cheap

6. Colorado Leeds (Cheap)(Energy)(93)(?) Jan 15, Apr 1 83, 630, 3.31, 4.8, 24% Cleantech State and has Cleantech

7. S P Jain Singapore (Cheap)(?)(v1) Mar-20 Safest school.


Wisconsin School of Business (Cheap)(26)(v7) Feb 4, Mar 15 100, 675(620-730), , 5, 18% Cheap, Amazing campus

Texas A&M Mays (Cheap)(32)(v2) Jan 15, Mar 1 66, 649(570-710), 3.4, 5, 35%, 24% Texas. Energy state

Michigan State University: Broad (Costly)(41)(v11) Jan 9, Feb 28 88, 645(557-720), 3.3, 4, 28%, 41% Campus, Middle of big states

George Washington Univ (Cheap)(Energy)(52)(v27) Jan 10, Mar 15 113, 635, 3.3, 4, 35%, 61% Cheap, Amazing campus


These are free Application schools. No loss in trying

SMU: Cox (Free app)(Costly)( Energy)(47)(v40) Jan 15, Mar 1 120, 641(563-710), 3.25, 4.7, 22%, 51% Has Energy Club

Vanderbilt: Owen (Free app)(Costly)(Energy)(23)(v33) Jan 9, (Mar 5) 175, 682(630-730), 3.37, 4.5, 22% Has Energy Club

Washington (Olin) St. Louis (Free app)(Costly)(Energy)(29)(v37) Jan 4, Feb 15 140, 698, 3.43, 4.7, 33%, 34% Has Energy Club


I pulled this one from E&Y report free on their website.

Rank State All renewables index

1 California
2 Colorado
3 Texas
4 New Mexico
5 Massachusetts
6 Nevada
7 Hawaii
8 Illinois
9 New York
10 Arizona
11 Maine
12 Pennsylvania
13 Iowa
14 Maryland
15 New Jersey
16 Michigan
17 Vermont
18 Wisconsin
18 New Hampshire
20 Utah
20 Oregon
22 Florida
23 Montana
24 North Carolina
24 Connecticut

[Jon@Admissionado]

Soo what is it you need? help in paring them down?
Actually, how much TIME do you have? (this is the key factor). The application fees are so tiny that they shouldnt count for anything at all... you should be applying to the schools which most interest you (while keeping a solid strategy which would get you in). and for the most part I find your list reasonable....
One thing which is LESS reasonable is applying R3 as an international (and Indian) applicant... it's not, in my opinion necessarily the safest strategy... soooo do it if you must or if its extraordinarily advantageous to you for other reasons, but otherwise, id suggest waiting until R1.

[MrCleantek]

Hey Jon,
Yes I want to reduce that list.
I have removed Wisconsin, Texas AM, Vanderbilt now.
I know its late for an Indian. I want it this year. How ironic I am applying now. But you think its late even for below tier 2 schools?
Boston School of Management
Thunderbird
Purdue University: Krannert
Michigan State University: Broad
George Washington Univ
Colorado Leeds

[Jon@Admissionado]

Well, it's not a question of "even too late for tier 2" schools, the question is more: "Is the reduction in your chances worth it, even if it means you would attend a far less good program, because your chances would be reduced?" Ultimately the answer to this question is really: How advantageous is it for you to do this NOW? (other than the FEELING that you want to do this now!)

[MrCleantek]

Sorry Jon, missed your reply there.
I see your point Jon. Anyway, I have indeed decided to defer for next year.
Now, I have to get a great GMAT and work on my schools, their essays.
But also there is one thing troubling me. What to do about this Green Energy Consulting bug that has bit me? In India I am not even getting a decent club to understand it more. I am in Bangalore though. Where to start?!

[Vendetta]

Hi MrCleantek,

You can try your chances in b-schools by clicking https://tinyurl.com/acrp3n7

Feel free to post any other query that you might have.

Cheers!
Vendetta