Age 32
Total 11 years of experience in IT in a Fortune 500. 4 years of Management experience. 2 years Director level position.
Doing Product development, Offshoring and Outsourcing experience.
I want to do an MBA from Wharton, HBS, MIT, Stanford. Either Fulltime or Executive.
I have not taken my GMAT yet, but looking to get a 750+ score
What do these schools value in students?
Thanks in Advance
GMAT Forum
6 postsPage 1 of 1
- MBAApply
With your background, go for the executive programs.
The full-time programs at these top schools are basically out of reach for someone with your background. Full-time programs value raw potential more than experience (beyond a certain level of experience -- i.e. there is a sweet spot that they like -- those with 3-6 years experience). The ideal candidate is someone in their mid-20s, blue chip resume (prestigious undergrad, well known American/Euro firms), and has a history of decent to exceptional non-academic/non-analytical accomplishments either in the workplace or in their extracurriculars.
Executive programs are looking for more seasoned people, and ideally sponsorship from their employers. It's less pedigree driven, and also easier to get in if you're experienced (like yourself).
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
The full-time programs at these top schools are basically out of reach for someone with your background. Full-time programs value raw potential more than experience (beyond a certain level of experience -- i.e. there is a sweet spot that they like -- those with 3-6 years experience). The ideal candidate is someone in their mid-20s, blue chip resume (prestigious undergrad, well known American/Euro firms), and has a history of decent to exceptional non-academic/non-analytical accomplishments either in the workplace or in their extracurriculars.
Executive programs are looking for more seasoned people, and ideally sponsorship from their employers. It's less pedigree driven, and also easier to get in if you're experienced (like yourself).
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
- Rag
Thank you.
Thank you. I was having difficulty posting a reply earlier.
What type of extracurricular activites do the schools look for?
Rotary club ?
Toasmaster ?
What type of extracurricular activites do the schools look for?
Rotary club ?
Toasmaster ?
- MBAApply
There is a difference between *accomplishing* and *participating*.
The latter just requires you to show up. It's resume filler. Quite a number of applicants have a list of these so-called "extracurriculars". They may even genuinely believe in what they're doing, but they don't really have much to show for it because they simply haven't put enough time and effort into such activities to leave any real impact or legacy.
The former requires years of dedication, focus and sacrifice. You don't become a nationally ranked athlete (or competing at such a high level) by being casual or signing up the week before. You don't become a semi-professional musician or touring artist by deciding you want to learn an instrument last week. You don't lead a successful non-profit that has a substantive impact on the community by starting something up casually with friends.
Adcoms aren't looking for specific organizations or a laundry list of groups you've "participated" in. They are looking for accomplishments - because you only accomplish something truly notable through sustained commitment -- there's a cost to everything.
If you haven't done much outside of work, whatever you sign up for today won't really impact your b-school application this year or next.
Put it this way. If it takes years to become an accomplished engineer with notable technical achievements, what makes you think it's any different with any other endeavor? This doesn't mean you shouldn't get involved or that you shouldn't strive to improve yourself (regardless of b-school), but that if you truly want to achieve or to do something you're proud of (and something that might impress others if that's what drives you), it involves far more than just signing up for Toastmasters, Rotary Club, or whatever random organization to put on your resume - it involves a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice in pursuing specific things that you find truly meaningful to you, and not expecting the results to happen overnight.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
The latter just requires you to show up. It's resume filler. Quite a number of applicants have a list of these so-called "extracurriculars". They may even genuinely believe in what they're doing, but they don't really have much to show for it because they simply haven't put enough time and effort into such activities to leave any real impact or legacy.
The former requires years of dedication, focus and sacrifice. You don't become a nationally ranked athlete (or competing at such a high level) by being casual or signing up the week before. You don't become a semi-professional musician or touring artist by deciding you want to learn an instrument last week. You don't lead a successful non-profit that has a substantive impact on the community by starting something up casually with friends.
Adcoms aren't looking for specific organizations or a laundry list of groups you've "participated" in. They are looking for accomplishments - because you only accomplish something truly notable through sustained commitment -- there's a cost to everything.
If you haven't done much outside of work, whatever you sign up for today won't really impact your b-school application this year or next.
Put it this way. If it takes years to become an accomplished engineer with notable technical achievements, what makes you think it's any different with any other endeavor? This doesn't mean you shouldn't get involved or that you shouldn't strive to improve yourself (regardless of b-school), but that if you truly want to achieve or to do something you're proud of (and something that might impress others if that's what drives you), it involves far more than just signing up for Toastmasters, Rotary Club, or whatever random organization to put on your resume - it involves a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice in pursuing specific things that you find truly meaningful to you, and not expecting the results to happen overnight.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
- Rag
Thanks
well said.
That is inspiring. Read your blog as well !
I think I need to highlight my accomplishments in the best possible manner and not worry about doing things to please the school admission board. I need to do something that I strongly believe in.
Thanks,
Rag
That is inspiring. Read your blog as well !
I think I need to highlight my accomplishments in the best possible manner and not worry about doing things to please the school admission board. I need to do something that I strongly believe in.
Thanks,
Rag
- MBAApply
Yeah no problem. It really comes down to treating the MBA as a pit stop and not a destination.
It's easy to think "as long as I get a top MBA, everything else will be fine" which is rather naive - but unfortunately too many applicants think that way.
As I've said before - getting a top MBA is like having the opportunity to date a supermodel. Those who have that opportunity and want it will take it. But if you don't get that chance, it's not going to really impact your quality of life long-term (but it'll be a hell of a ride and one that you'll remember).
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
It's easy to think "as long as I get a top MBA, everything else will be fine" which is rather naive - but unfortunately too many applicants think that way.
As I've said before - getting a top MBA is like having the opportunity to date a supermodel. Those who have that opportunity and want it will take it. But if you don't get that chance, it's not going to really impact your quality of life long-term (but it'll be a hell of a ride and one that you'll remember).
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
6 posts Page 1 of 1