Kindly Evaluate

[nirupshetty]

Please evaluate my profile:

Background:
I have done my bachelors in Electrical Engineering from a reputed government college in Bombay, India. My grades however were slightly below average. I completed my Masters in Electrical Engineering at University of Missouri-Rolla. I have a GPA of 4.0/4.0 for my Master’s study. I have been working for nearly four years with a large Design/Construction firm in the Energy field as an Electrical Engineer.

Aspirations:
Plan to do a part-time MBA degree at one of the top schools including Chicago GSB, Wharton, and Anderson. I wanted to stick to the Energy field after graduating and so was also considering programs like UT-Austin which lets one specialize in Energy Finance. As of now, I plan to work in the finance field.

Summary of Qualifications:

Bachelors: Bombay University, 2002 GPA: 3.0

Masters: University of Missouri Rolla, 2005 GPA: 4.0

GRE: 2250/2400 (Not valid anymore since I gave it back in 2001)

GMAT: 660 (83 percentile)
V: 38 (83 percentile), Q: 43 (69 percentile)
AWA score not yet received. Expect to get at least a 5.

Planning to give it again if need be since i just bombed the quant section for some reason.

MBA: Part-Time at one of the top schools.

Specialization: FINANCE

My concerns are:
1) What are my chances currently to get into a good part-time MBA program?
2) Do i need to take my GMAT again?
3) Any idea about the Energy Finance program at UT-Austin?
4) Do you think I should have 5 years of work ex before applying to any of these programs?
5) I had an 800/800 in Analytical and 780/800 in Math in my GRE. Is it even worthwhile to mention these in the application if it is expired as of now?

Thanks,
Nirup

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Nirup,

Answers to your questions, in my humble opinion:

1) What are my chances currently to get into a good part-time MBA program?
I think you have a shot at a part-time program, but statistics such as GMAT/GPA are generally the same as the full-time programs at the schools you mention. So your GMAT might be low for these schools.

2) Do i need to take my GMAT again?
I think you should if you feel you can increase your total score by increasing your quantitative score.

3) Any idea about the Energy Finance program at UT-Austin?
It has a good reputation in the energy industry and prepares its graduates well. Likewise the location is advantageous to Houston where the energy companies are. I would also encourage you to look at Rice University as another option. In my opinion, it has a stronger energy finance curriculum and an outstanding reputation with the energy companies (plus it is in Houston with easy accessibility to the energy industry).

4) Do you think I should have 5 years of work ex before applying to any of these programs?
No, I don't think that is necessary. You should apply when you feel you are ready.

5) I had an 800/800 in Analytical and 780/800 in Math in my GRE. Is it even worthwhile to mention these in the application if it is expired as of now?
No. The score has expired and the schools are not interested in a GRE. They will want to see how you perform on the GMAT and in your academic coursework.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[nirupshetty]

Lisa,

Thanks for all the answers you gave me. I needed to update you that I should not have a problem with GMAT score anymore. I scored a 740 (V41, Q 49) in my 2'nd attempt. Now back to my original questions:

1) Do you think I have a chance now to get into one of the top schools in US?
2) I was considering 'Rice Universit' as well and have sent them the scores. However they rank in the low 20's as per official rankings. Especially with the new score I am just becoming a bit more ambitious.
3) Do you know of a top school where i can specialize in Energy? I don't want to jump completely into a new field. I have 4 yrs of experience and master's degree in the field of Power.

Also, which colleges would you recommend me if i would take the services of your consulting firm?

Thanks a lot for the replies.

Regards,
Nirup

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Nirup,

Congratulations on your score! If you want to go to school part-time and aspire to work in energy finance, then your best options will be in Texas. In my opinion, Rice University has the strongest energy finance curriculum amongst the Texas schools and strong ties to the industry. UT-Austin also has an excellent program that some would argue is better. They have a part-time program in Houston as well as Austin.

Of course, there are many strong finance programs throughout the US that will still prepare you well. You just need to make sure the relationship between the school and energy industry is there.

Good luck,
Lisa