batchgmat wrote:
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your time and sharing your in-depth knowledge. Here is my profile:
Race/Gender: Indian American male, born and raised in US (although I am still familiar with India's culture and values)
GMAT: 740 (taken May 2006), 48Q/42V
GPA: 3.4 Computer Science from a top 10 Comp Sci school (Honors program)
Work Experience: 5 years this fall. Worked as a consultant, mainly on-site for a DoD client. Therefore, very heavy client interaction. I have worked as a developer, analyst, and project lead (sometimes all three at once).
Handled a very high visibility/high stress project - was in charge of developing a new system from the ground up. Project clients reach top brass of DoD (Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld), and the project was mentioned in a front page article of the WSJ 2 years ago. Gathered requirements, designed & implemented the system, and supported it. Also mentored fellow developers in the project architecture and environment. At times, had to coordinate activities among 4-5 different government organizations.
Other:
Was in charge of the Employee module on a new Human Resources Enterprise system. Had to learn new technologies and come up to speed quickly.
Also developed a new system to handle & track in-house customer requests. Developed workflows to handle requests. Was the Project Lead on this system.
Just completed development of another system which allows our customers to enter, track and report their Action items. Was the Project Lead.
I also mentor fellow developers and interview prospective employees (on a technical basis). Finally, I once gave a presentation at the Pentagon as part of a proposal.
Extra: Worked part time in college with professor on evaluating and working with various distance learning projects.
Also, during college, started up a national database website of Professor reviews and evaluations. Made U Magazine list of top 50 college websites.
Started a start-up, Cibient, with former colleague (after college). Main product was a b2b purchasing portal for restaurant owners. Ultimately, we did not launch, but did do market research, customer surveys, etc.
Volunteered as a camp counselor two summers (camp was 4 days long each summer). Also, have worked on fundraising efforts for local temple.
Mentored a 8th grade student (in all subjects) for about a school year.
Finally, helping my cousin build a website for a nonprofit he is working on (aimed at creating peace between Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir).
(Also, I am considering starting a scholarship for high school students through my temple. Have had this idea for a while now, starting to do research on what it entails, etc.)
Goals: I'd like to pursue Strategy Consulting after my MBA. I enjoy facing problems and developing or implementing solutions. I feel that a MBA will not only accelerate my transition, but give me the expereince and knowledge I need. Furthermore, I enjoy leading others. I also have an entrepreneurial itch - having a MBA will certainly help in this regard as well.
Schools: Wharton, Columbia, Kellog, Chicago, MIT, Darthmouth and
Darden, Duke
-- Anyways, that should be it. Sorry its so long. Thanks in advance!
Batchgmat,
You have an impressive profile, with a few elements you can focus in on to make yourself stand out. You should have no problem getting into Darden and Duke. Chicago is doable, Kellogg perhaps somewhat less so (your extracurr. is not quite at the knock-em-dead level). Wharton, Columbia, and MIT will be your toughest nuts, but, again, you look strong to me so I would not be surprised if one, maybe even two, of them came through for you. Because of your applicant demographic you really need to emphasize leadership and your profile's unusual elements.
Good luck,