Profile Eval for Top 10

[jerry.w.tang]

Hi. Can you please evaluate on several fronts...? Would I be more competitive to apply 2010 or 2011 entry? Also what does my GMAT NEED to be given the rest of my application. Finally, are these schools a stretch goal given my profile? I will be applying to HBS, Chicago, Columbia, and Wharton for admittance Fall 2010 or Fall 2011 depending on my GMAT outcome. My goal is to be a stratetic leader for a global company within the "green & clean energy" sector.

Undergrad:
Mechanical Engineering, Penn State Univ.
GPA 3.34
** Note: Slightly low GPA because I finished curriculum in 7 on campus semesters and obtained 1 year of Engineering work experience with United Technologies Corporation all within the 4 year window of undergrad.**

GMAT:
Pract Tests: 630 - 720
Actual test on Aug 29, 2009

Work Experience:
Operations Management Leadership Program at GE Aviation. (2 years)
Held roles in Strategic Sourcing, Materials Management, Manufacturing Engineer, Production Cell Leader - 25 direct reports. Excellent recommendations from all 4 managers available. Identified as "top talent" by managers and colleagues.

Lean Manufacturing Specialist (current, 1 year by FA 2010, 2 years by FA 2011)
Lead lean six sigma initiatives for an overseas manufacturing operation. Develop strategy and practice indirect influencing skills across 200 employees to improve operational efficiency, productivity, & capacity. High level goal to deliver a $100M growth strategy/capability within 5 years. This is a high visibility initiative within the business.

Community
a. Elementary Math tutor for 6 months during a 6 mo. job rotation.
b. Junior Achievement Mentor/Teacher for 3rd grade level class. Developed strong bond with students and faculty.
c. Executive team for Cincinnati March of Dimes foundation. Led a team/initiative to market and solicite donations on an aggressive timeline during an economic recession in 2009. The team broke an all time record in donations exceeding $200k.

Personal
Enjoy physical fitness (running, weight/cross training, racquet sports)
Reading, socializing, volunteering my time to help others.

I would appreciate any help/advice/comments. Looking forward to it :)

Regards,
TWJ

[mbamission]

You seem to have a strong profile. With respect to waiting until next year to apply, I think that decision should be based on whether you feel that you are ready from a work perspective. It is great that you are working on a high profile initiative, but in the application, you will need to demonstrate that you have shown leadership at work (in this initiative or elsewhere) and in your extracurricular activities. In terms of the GMAT score, of course you should shoot for as high a score as you can get, with a balance between the verbal and quantitative percentiles. In terms of an absolute score, I recommend shooting for a 700 or better, with an 80th percentile for the verbal and quantitative sections. The last piece of advice I would provide is to make sure that you articulate a specific career goal. It will need to be more specific than "clean and green energy." I realize that you may have been very general in terms of your description of your career goal in the post.

Sincerely,

Akiba Smith-Francis

MBA Mission

646-485-8844

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