prt7676 08-10-2004, 03:42 PM I am planning to apply to b-schools for Fall 2006, and would like gather some advice on whats good for my profile and since I have ample time, can I improve on anything. I would really appreciate if any one can help me.
Profile:
Presently working as a Project Manager/Engineer at an environmental consulting firm, and we consult for all major oil companies to help them with oil spills and remediation activities. I am currently in charge developing a new line of business for the parent coompany and I will have 4 years of work experience (3 in US plus 1 in India) when I apply (during next fall) and a total of 5 years by Fall 2006.
Education: Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering (GPA = 3.72) from a top 15 engineering school in US and undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from a reputed engineering college in India (JNTU) Undergrad GPA = 3.75)
Extra curricular: Played in a variety of sports in varsity tournaments in India (Cricket and Basketball), won numerous prizes in Quizzing, Debating and other literary activities from high school to undergraduate level).
Voluntary work: Numerous assignments in India, and also worked for 2 years (as a treasurer) for a non-profit organization based in the US.
Recommendations: Can get good recommendations from professors, not sure how to approach my present employer since they want me to process my Greencard and stay with them forever...
GMAT: Planning to take in March 2005, hope to get around 720-740 range (based on my diagnostic score and my previous GRE diagnostics and sibsequent improvements)
The main question I have is what kind of schools typically take an applicant with my back ground..? is it OK not to have recos from current employers? and most importantly should I join a mba-application strategy agency like ClearAdmnit?
Thanks,
Clear Admit 09-01-2004, 05:55 PM Hi, prt7676,
Thanks for your post. You have asked some good questions.
I'm glad that you've started planning for next year's applications--in fact, a year should give you enough time to address weaknesses in your candidacy and to gain valuable work and extracurricular experience.
Your work experience (five years at the time of matriculation) is just about the average amount for many top schools. It sounds like you have some significant responsibilities at work, especially in terms of developing a new product line for your company. I also suspect that you will be able to stand out from the applicant pool because of the nature of your work--responsibility for remediating oil spills is rather uncommon among business school applicants.
Your educational background looks solid, with two very good GPAs from respected schools, and the fact that you went to grad school in the U.S. may give you a slight advantage over other international applicants. If you score as you hope to on the GMAT, that should make your academic profile above average at most of the top schools.
I am glad to see that you participated in extracurricular activities while excelling academically, which is a trend that, ideally, you would continue at business school. I would be curious to know about your current activities/hobbies outside of work.
As for recommendations, it is best to get current/former supervisors to write them for you. Think about whether there are people who have worked with you and know you well in a professional setting--generally, these people would be more familiar with your strengths/weaknesses/career goals than professors would.
To address your questions about school selection and recommender choice, I would really need to know more about your background and goals. If you are interested in discussing your candidacy further, please feel free to contact me directly.
Regards,
Sarah Scheckter
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