Research MBA Programs

Through a combination of the amazing resources on this site, Manhattan GMAT prep books, and my local library resources, I was able to score a 710 on the GMAT (47 Math, 40 Verbal).

I had initially planned on going to the Rochester Institute of Technology for my MBA because I had completed my undergrad work there and could finish their program in just one year. Their requirements were a 580 on the GMAT, and it seems the average score is a 600. Obviously, now I think I should probably apply to other schools.

Here is a full rundown of my qualifications and I would love to hear what you think some safe schools would be, schools I have a decent chance at getting into, and some reach schools might be. Thanks!

Personal Information:

• 21 years old
  Air Force Brat who lived overseas and in several different states
  Caucasian

High School

• Graduated with a 4.0
  I was the graduation speaker in front of 500 of my classmates and their families
  Member of National Honors Society

Undergrad:

• Rochester Institute of Technology
  BS in Political Science, minors in Philosophy, and Business Administration
  Enrolled in 2010, graduated in 2013 ( a year early)
  Active member of the Honors program, graduated with honors
  National Society of Collegiate Scholars member
  GPA: 3.8

I also won two writing awards, with cash prizes through the college.
The first was for my work in political science on the subject of the legal definition of personhood, and its implications for chimera creation in the field of biology and biomedical science. The second award was in the field of philosophy of science on the subject of whether development of plate tectonic theory constituted a Kuhnian revolution or paradigm shift in the field.

My employment history:

• I was the Complementary Learning Advisor for the Honors program, from October 2011 - May 2013. I advised undergraduate students on their complementary learning plans, which is the 20+ hour service requirement per year that each student is required to perform. I recommended community service activities, and recorded & tracked counseling session data for trend analysis.
  
  I worked as a Hot Line cook during High School at Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers from November 2009 - August 2011.
  
  I was an intern for the Transportation Management Office at RAF Mildenhall, a joint USAF and RAF base in England from June 2007 - July 2007. I performed basic clerical tasks but also worked with civilian and military personnel.
  
  Finally, my first job was as an intern in the computer support office of the Civil Engineering squadron at RAF Mildenhall from January 2006 - December 2006. I Assembled computers, and installed software including a custom Air Force version of Windows using a ghost image, ensured network connectivity, and organized & catalogued various types of electronic hardware. I started there as a freshman in high school.

I can procure recommendations from the following people as well:

• Two different associate deans of the liberal arts college, one is the chair of the philosophy department as well
  Both professors who recommended me for the writing awards who I took multiple classes with
  The chair of the political Science Department
  Two MBA graduates who currently work at RIT. One is a former VP for a Swiss bank, worked in risk management, and now helps manage the investment of RIT's assets and its overseas campuses, and my intro to options and futures professor which I got an A in. The other is a social media marketer, owner of his own company, and an incredibly tech savvy professor.
  My supervisor at the Civil Engineering Squadron, a retired USAF Master Sergeant, and current systems administrator at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
  My first accounting professor at RIT, I got over 100% in his class
  Probably any other professor I have studied under. I never failed a class, or had any trouble meeting deadlines, even though I frequently took 20 credits under a quarter system.

Finally, I will probably need a rather hefty financial aid package. I'm not exceptionally well off, and already fairly in debt for my undergrad studies. Schools who are a slightly lower tier, but easier to pay for would automatically jump to the top of my potential applications list.

I look forward to reading your responses, I know I have a rather odd profile. Also, I have no idea how much work experience is weighed in the admissions processes and as you can see I'm rather lacking in that area.

Thanks Jon for the quick reply.

I included the fast food place just to show I wasn't resting on my laurels during high school. My real problem though is that I haven't been able to find a full time job that isn't going to be comparably menial to that high school job. I can't afford to flounder for two years with just my undergraduate liberal arts degree. Political campaign work is usually unpaid, and government jobs aren't really too common for the inexperienced in the wake of the sequester and current economic conditions. I just don't think I can get meaningful work experience without a second degree. Demonstrating to an admissions board that I have leadership potential is kind of hard when my resume is going to look pretty spotty after graduation, and I don't want to lose steam because I have been really pushing myself to excel (I only studied for the GMAT 3 weeks and my entire last undergraduate year, and some of the year before, I was taking extra classes).

Are there no top 100 schools that would look at the speed at which I completed a four year program combined with my GPA and my global work experience as an asset? I never had any delusions about getting into Harvard or Stanford, so lowering my expectations to a school with a 680 mean GMAT isn't a problem.

I also have a similar story to share; however, my GMAT results were surprisingly unpleasant. I gave the GMAT twice and got a 660 in my first attempt and a 610 in my second. I guess I am one of the few unfortunate people who see their score drop by 50 points despite working twice as hard ( I joined classes, took 10 days off work before the exam, gave multiple tests, etc.. etc..) I do not have the courage the courage to give the GMAT a third time because I feel I have more to lose than gain. I say this because
1. If I get a low score the third time, then the 660 will seem like an outlier to the adcom
2. The low score will further make me under confident and I might possibly have to forego my MBA dream
3. I got a 48 in Quant in both the attempts; it was verbal where I fluctuated like crazy. So maybe the adcoms may be forgiving

Hence after giving it some thought, I have decided to apply for the session next year. My profile is below. It will be great if an expert can honestly tell me where I stand at this moment and how I should proceed further. I am interested to know if I stand a chance in the top ten MBA schools and if my profile looks promising - to say the essays, LOR's, etc. can help me over shadow the GMAT

25 years, Female
Electrical Engineer from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. GPA - 3.3
Work Experience - 4.5 years

I started as out as an Engineer and worked with a telecom company in their Technical department. I then realised that I wanted to do something that involved both a technical and a commercial aspect. Hence after working for a year in the Technical division, I changed jobs to Consulting. I am currently working as an analyst in US based energy and power consulting firm. I work very closely with the US power markets. This is my second job - I have been working here for about 3 years now

Highlights at work - I have been awarded the exemplary contributor award twice in 3 years. I was promoted in my second year itself. Also I am part of the CSR and Green Team at work. I started out as a volunteer in the team and now am heading both the teams in the New Delhi office. My story was also featured in the first ever CSR magazine of the company.

I am interested in a MBA that specializes in operations and management or a MBA that has a strong general management offering.
Appreciate all the help!
Best,
Shruti