Profile Evaluation Request

[godofwharf]

Hi experts!
I'm an Indian male and I'll be 24 at the time of matriculation. I am currently researching MBA programs in the US to apply for the fall '14 intake. I've spent 2+ years in manufacturing domain in operations management roles and I'm looking to move on to consulting or general management roles in the manufacturing/product development after my MBA.

Profile:

Undergrad - Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from a top-ranked government engineering college in India. Graduated first-class with distinction (8.58/10).

Work experience - 26 months (3 years upon matriculation) with Caterpillar in its Indian plant. Was recruited for its 3-year leadership and technical development program in manufacturing. Have worked in 3 different functions within the plant as a part of the rotational program. Currently heading a production team as a section manager. Spent one year in the facilities planning department and led capital investment projects and another year in quality control where I managed the daily operations of a team.

Have led quite a few projects and developmental initiatives at work.

GMAT - 730 (50/38) IR-7 AWA-4

Other Details - Decent extra-curriculars. Have volunteered for social service initiatives while in college. Have been involved in organizing symposia in college.
I'm an avid quizzer and I've had a successful stint in robot-building contests. Was the editor of a college magazine.

I'm targeting the following schools:
Rotman (Round 1)
Booth (Round 2)
Tepper (Round 2)
Kellogg MMM (Round 2)

Would like to know more about my chances of admission into these schools. Are there other suitable schools that I should consider?

[mbaMissionJenK]

Hi there,

Thanks for posting. It sounds like you have put together a fairly solid profile. You'll have fewer-than-average years of work experience, so it will be important that you are able to establish that you have gained QUALITY experiences over that time and that NOW is the right time to apply. You'll also need to focus on standing out from the large crowd of Indian Engineering applicants, so think about how you can do that. I don't believe you've mentioned your goals??? Unless I missed that... that is a big factor, both in admissions and also in terms of what schools you might most be interested in. Generally I would think your chances are decent at Rotman and possibly Tepper. Booth and Kellogg would be more challenging, you'd really have to put together stand out essays.

Keep us posted on your goals, q's and progress! Good luck to you.

[godofwharf]

Hi Jennifer!
Thanks for the response. After my MBA, I would like to take up a internal consulting role in a manufacturing firm or an operations consulting position in a consulting firm catering to manufacturing companies. Long-term goal is to venture into agribusiness in India. Are there other schools that I should be considering?

[mbaMissionJenK]

Gotcha, you could look at Kelley, Krannert potentially?

You've probably seen, but here's rankings in Operations:

https://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate ... s-rankings