Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

I am a US citizen of Indian origin, will be 42 years in 2012, and have a GMAT score of 690/88% [V34/68% Q49/86% AWA 5.0/56%]. I have taken GMAT before and my previous score was 600, although I have done better in AWA in my previous attempt with a 5.5). I have a BS in Computer Science and MS in Physics from a reputed institution in India. My GPA is 8.03/10. I have participated in some extracurricular activities but nothing out of the ordinary. I do actively help a non-profit organization with a social cause in India. I worked in two midsize IT consulting firms over the years (last position held was a Senior Manager). For the last 6 years, I have been a freelance consultant through my own company. I plan to apply for some weekend and some executive MBA programs at Kellogg, Wharton, Booth, Duke, Emory etc.

Here are my questions:
1. Do I stand a reasonable chance to secure a week-end or EMBA at these ranked institutions with the above credentials?
2. What would be your advice to better my prospects?
3. Since I have been working as an 'independent consultant', is it better for me to classify myself as an entrepreneur or just a self employed consultant? When it comes to the question of 'who was your last employer and what position did you hold?', I am not sure which is better - being the president of a 3-5 person company of just an freelancer?
4. I have some clients with whom I have worked for years, though not very recently. Would they serve as good candidates for recommenders?
5. I have heard that the buzz words 'Indian', 'Engineer', 'Male', & 'Technology' put you into an already saturated group of MBA aspirants. Does this hold true? If so, should I highlight 'functional' skills other than information technology and consulting to increase my chances?

Thanks in advance

Hello,

Below are answers to your questions:

1. From the information provided I'd consider Wharton and Kellogg EMBA programs as reasonable reaches (with a great application you'd have a reasonable though less than 50% chance), Booth on the border of on-par and reasonable reach, and Duke and Emory on par.
2. Do as much as you can, and in your application show as much as you can, high impact and leadership/management of professional level people. Show that you are dealing with issues on the same scale and level as students at these top programs.
3. Either categorization would be fine - use the one that most accurately reflects your situation. Instead of freelancer you can say independent consultant.
4. Clients will be good for recommenders for self-employed people, but try to pick people from fairly recently if possible. Or at least not from too long ago.
5. Yes, it's true. In any event, for the EMBA you should be emphasizing your business skills and perspective.

I believe you would find helpful my free report on applying to EMBA programs, Create an Outstanding Application to Top Executive MBA Programs.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.Accepted.com