Profile Evaluation (S/W Engg - 7 years)

[TP]

Hello,

I do not have a leadership/mgmt profile, but certainly have a desire to do an MBA from a top-10 school. I would like to explore a change in my career with regards the function. A couple of options that I am contemplating: A career in Marketing/Advertising or starting my own business.

Short history:
B. Engg (Computers) - 1995
M.S. (Comp. Sci) - 1998 (GPA 3.74)

Currently working as an S/W Engineer in Silicon Valley. I have limited leadership experience at work.
I do not manage a group of people. There are opportunities this year for me to take on
leadership roles.

Extracurricular: Volunteering at multiple events, as well as the local
blind center for the past 3 years.

GMAT: I haven't given it yet, but from the practice exams, somewhere between
680-700 seems where I am headed :)

Just have a couple of questions:
- Is it worthwhile for me to spend a year in building some leadership
experience and then apply to B-schools?
- Should I attempt at Exec MBA ?

thanks in advance.

[MBAApply]

Given your age ('95 grad makes you around 35 right now) and your experience, you should focus on executive programs. You'll feel out of place at full-time programs where most of the kids are 10 years younger than you are. As for whether it's worthwhile to build leadership experience - it's always worthwhile. Whether that impacts you going this year or not is a personal decision - apply when you're ready.

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com