Hi,

I would like you to evaluate my chances of getting an admit with the following profile:

Specific Questions:
1. Is my age a big factor for admit to the top 15 B-schools?
2. Full-time (2yr) or Full-time(1yr) or Executive which one suits me better (assuming money is not a problem)?
3. What aspects of my profile do I work on to get an admit to top 15 B-schools?
4. What GMAT score do I need to better my chances of admit?
5. Do I need any prior Entrepreneurship or Management experience?
6. Does social work or an initiative towards a community social cause help?


Profile:

Aspiration: Full-time or Executive MBA in top 15 B-schools in USA

Age: 33 years

Career Goal
- Technology product management in short term
- Entrepreneurship in long term

GMAT: Yet to take

Education: MS (USC, USA) - 3.56/4.0 [2008] | BE (Mumbai) - 67% [2004]

Work Experience: (9 yrs fulltime and 1.5 yrs partime/intern)
Currently working as a Senior Member of Technical Staff @ a Silicon Valley Product Giant ..

- Architecting technology windows and IOS solutions @ Silicon Valley based Product Giant (India) [Current]
- Led content team of a consumer facing product startup (of the scale of twitter) as a freelancer. Also helped hire the team and setup their office in India. [2014]
- Architected the client solution for a US-based product startup. The startup's valuation increased from few thousands to $20M during my tenure. Single point of contact for integration with the solutions from partner firms.
- Hired, setup and led 2 teams (10+ members) from scratch towards end-to-end product delivery @ Leading French IB (India). Executed numerous process initiatives like agile and lean. Led my team to adoption of Scrum methodology that led way for other teams. Amongst the top 5% employees (based on rating) throughout my tenure. [2013]
- Mentored the development team for over a year to build web based solution for insurance domain @ startup (USA) [2009]
- As an intern assisted a Sr. Architect to build research prototype for social network solution within enterprises [2008]
- Developed web based solutions for a Leading IB (now bankrupt) [2006]
- Started career as a developer in insurance domain for an service giant (India) [2005].

Extra-Curricular:
- Lead Special Interest Technology group (50+ members) to encourage technology enthusiasts for French IB (India).
- Built software for physically challenged individuals @ Opensource Social Group in USA.
- Represented junior, degree college in Table Tennis (ping pong) and competed in corporate and have won medals.
- Couple of technical paper presentations at college and corporate level

Without a GMAT score, it's harder to answer your question. Other things being equal, the contradiction is that you are too old for some top MBAs but you have too little supervisory and leadership experience for some EMBAs. It's easier to get into a top 15 EMBA, since many top US schools don't have notable EMBA programmes so the top 15 goes further down. The fact that you are looking to accelerate your progression in the same industry and region makes the case for an EMBA better.

The obvious choices in California are Berkeley, USC and UCLA but you are a little young for those schools. Some other schools are especially effective in meeting the needs of students with international roots and a little less experience. Maryland, Wharton and Columbia stand out there for me. Georgetown, Texas A&M and Emory might be other strong choices. Considering your location, the Wharton MBA for executives in SF stands out as an ideal choice.

If you wanted to study full-time, I would be tempted to consider the full-time IBEAR MBA at USC, which is a little easier to get into than the two-year degree and will have a cosmopolitain cohort closer to your age.

[Edited by Duncan on Nov 29, 2015]

Hey Dude,
Well at 33 you are on the cusp between a regular MBA and en EMBA. An EMBA would be fine if you were to desire to continue in your current role/function but just get a boost in your career. On the other hand if you wanted to make any major career changes, a full-time MBA would be more helpful (but harder to get into).

As an Indian/Male/Tech candidate, you come from the single most overrepresented pool for B-schools, which in addition to your age plus the fact that you come from a non-IIT/NIT school means that top 15 will be stretches for you, even if you were to get a 740+ on the GMAT.

On the other hand, if you wanted to do a FT MBA and it was an option, European or US one-year programs might be good for you, as the classes tend be older (thus wiping out one major disadvantage).

To answer your questions specifically:
1. Yes it's a factor. Not the biggest perhaps (your WE, GMAT and overall profile are more important). Look at the average age of the incoming class at the place you will be applying and if you are far older, then yes it can be an issue.
2. Depends on your goals. See above.
3. Right now, you gotta a) take that GMAT and b) hurry up!
4.Anything that is a 720+ will be great.
5. You don't "need" but any you can show will be helpful.
6. It can, yes :)

I hope this helps,a nd if you have any further questions, just let me know!

Best,
Yaron

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Yaron Dahan, Head Consultant
Admissionado
Premier Admissions Consulting

Hi,,


I have work ex.- 5 years (analytic s & Consulting( (its a strong profile))
GPA- 71%
GMAT - 480 (q-32, v23)
toefl--96

I am attempting GMAT once more end of this month, however, i am very nervous if i will be able to make till 600, as only 20 days are left.

As, i really want to peruse MBA. Please suggest safe colleges for me for my current score, and in case i reach around 600.

Appreciate your help.
Apurva

I'm not sure if there are any safe schools unless you look at very low quality schools, but take a look at GMAT Tiers - strong schools for your GMAT www.find-mba.com/board/27082

Hi,,


I have work ex.- 5 years (analytic s & Consulting( (its a strong profile))
GPA- 71%
GMAT - 480 (q-32, v23)
toefl--96

I am attempting GMAT once more end of this month, however, i am very nervous if i will be able to make till 600, as only 20 days are left.

As, i really want to peruse MBA. Please suggest safe colleges for me for my current score, and in case i reach around 600.

Appreciate your help.
Apurva

Thanks,

I got application waiver from
Case Western Management school (weatherhead school of management) of 100$ yesterday, and the requested me to apply till 15 dec, but as my score is low. Will my profiled be considered?

So, should i spend time in applying with this score? or i should tell them i am retaking it? I am not sure in second case if i will get the waiver.. Please help

They know what your score is, and it costs then more than $100 to review your application, so if it's a school that fits your career goals then apply to it because they think they want you.

Seems like not a bad idea to apply if they're waiving the application fee. Can you ask them directly to see if they suggest re-taking?