Please evaluate my profile: 760

[itsprathsm]

Hello Admissionado,
I have been working in an R&D department of an Automobile manufacturer in India for 2.5 years and want to apply this year for fall 2017. I scored 760 in GMAT last year. My dream colleges are Sloan, Kellogg, Haas and Stern. I was also interested in LBS and INSEAD but have been warned against applying for the lack of job security and hyped up reputation respectively. Please guide me.

Work:
I am working in New technology development and have a few IPRs but I want to get into a more managerial position and open my own venture eventually. I am an assistant manager now and have been a project lead for one successful technology delivery spanning a year.

Education:
Great academics till college.
B.tech from NIT, Nagpur: 8.02/10

Other:
Working for NGO since last year founded by a group of friends.
On the advisory board of an upcoming educational institute (Kids School).
Worked as an area campaign manager in two general elections of India.

Also please pray tell if I should work on something to improve this.

Thanking you,
Prathmesh

[Jon@Admissionado]

Hey Prathmesh,
Well, what can I say? So far it looks great - you have a fantastic GMAT, you have an excellent GPA from a great school (even if it's one touch below IIT .. sorry!), and your work experience seems very solid (although this is the main area where I really need more detail to understand how strong this is)

Other than that, the thing I like most is your extras - working on two general elections and founding an NGO!! They are great, unique, and interesting.

I think if you applied to a range of schools in Top 15. You may want to add 1-2 more schools on the lower end of things to balance things out.

Other than that, as far as this year goes - go for impact - Can you get promoted? Can you make something great and big happen with your NGO? can you get someone elected? (hah!)

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions do not hesitate.

Best,
JF

[itsprathsm]

Hey Jon,
I am sorry. I totally zoned out of MBA thoughts for a while. I might just get promoted, got a great assessment recently. Fingers crossed there. Wish I could get someone elected though, wouldn't need an MBA probably thereafter(back at you!). With regards to NGO, our big milestone is expected early next year so that's just all great talk but no results.

I was wondering, if its not too much or too vague, can you just name a couple of schools in mid and low end of that spectrum for 'New Product development' sort of thing. I am interested in Marketing and operations majorly.

Thankful,
Prathmesh

P.S. Admissionado(just to get it tagged)

[Jon@Admissionado]

Well look,
Its just about spreading out the risk (and BTW both LBS and INSEAD are very solid schools that place very well). So apply to your school list and add several more from the top 20 (don't worry too much about the specifications of the program. All MBA programs are fundamentally generalist, and the sub-categorizations matter little). And then just go to the best school you get into.


Makes sense?

I hope so!!!

Best,
JF