Profile evaluation, and some questions

[mohan82]

hi, first thank you for all the help you are giving us on this forum. we are very grateful.

as per your request as to what we provide, here is my profile:

:::GPA, major, school
3.5, computer science, univ of michigan ann arbor, 2004 (so ~4 years work exp)

:::GMAT
720

:::resume highlights, including company name, job titles and promotions
* entrepreneur since beginning of 2008
- have US and offshore engineering operations setup to manage engineering for first company which lets me work on two companies

:::extracurricular involvements
- play basketball recreationally, and part of a competitive amateur group

:::awards, patents, publications, etc...
- one patent mentioned above
- deans list in college 2 semesters

:::::QUESTIONS FOR YOU
1) how would you place my chances for top schools? What are areas of concern?
2) will it be a tough sell to explain why i want to leave my new business for an mba?

Thanks!!
Mohan

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Mohan,

Your target schools are all highly competitive. While I think you have a chance of being admitted, I always advise folks to have some alternatives as an insurance policy. The important thing for you to do is present a compelling application that distinguishes you from the competition. Based on your post, I don't really see any weaknesses in your profile; I just think you will look similar and average for these schools' applicant pools so the onus is on you to stand out.

It is not a tough sell to be leaving your own company for business school. You just need to communicate how you will be handling the business while you are in school--will you sell it? if not, do you have someone lined up to run it in your absence? As for recommenders, you can ask a partner but I think it would be more helpful to the admissions committee to see an evaluation from a client/customer. Likewise, it would be helpful to have one from a former supervisor if possible.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[mohan82]

Thanks for your reply!

I have one more question. On the resume, should I be mentioning the corporate internship and research internships I had in college? They were just over the summer, and I didn't do anything too extraordinary there (as far as leadership...etc). My intuition says no, as I have 4 years of full time experience, but just checking.

thanks,
Mohan

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Mohan,

If you can get those on your resume without going over 1 page, then it is fine to demonstrate your complete history. However, if the internships do not relate to your future career at all and you have nothing interesting to say about them, then it is fine to leave them off. What matters most is what you have done since graduating college.

Good luck,
Lisa