Part-time MBA application

[xxjatlandxx]

Hello!
So I took my GMAT and didn't do as well as I was doing on GMATprep. On GMAT prep, I was scoring 690 consistently but on actual test I scored 660 (48V, 34Q). I am hoping to get a 5 on the AWA.

Age:32
Academics: Graduated in '99 with a GPA of 7.3/10 in Bachelor of Engineering-Mechanical engineering from a not so well known university in India.
Graduated from USC-Los Angeles in '02 with a GPA of 3.4 in M.S.-Mechanical Engineering
Graduated from Penn State-State College in '06 with a GPA of 3.6 in M.S.-Industrical Engineering

Work Experience: 1999-2000 one year- I used to teach engineering in an engineering college in India. So I guess you can say that I managed all those college kids.
2007-Mechanical Engineer for a few months at Fortune 200 company. In short, I had to manage mechanics.
2007-2010-3.5 years Project Team Leader at a Fortune100 chemical company. I managed capital projects at manufacturing plant sites. It involved managing our contractors that involved engineering and construction companies. For a given project, I was leading the team that had anywhere from 10 to 20 people. Managed projects at several different chemical plants in the Gulf Coast. Must have spent atleast $10 million in capital projects in 3.5 years.
2010-2011 about 6 months now-Project Manager at the same company but a different business unit. Managing consulting projects. However, the clients are external oil refineries worldwide. I have managed projects in Saudi, Singapore, and India. Been to Saudi and managed a project there at one of the world's largest oil refinery. In my current role, in addition to project management I am also fulfilling Business Development Manager role by writing proposals and interacting with customers and meeting their needs.

I want to pursue part-time MBA. There are two reasons I want to pursue a MBA. Obviously I want to move up quick. If that doesn't happen, then career change into sales or finance. I am thinking about applying at UT-Austin, UCLA, UC-Berkeley, Northwestern, and Chicago.

Any comments? I know I am within the 80% range in GMAT, but 660 is on the lower side. I am hoping that my past academics, and my management work experience will compensate for the low GMAT.

[mbamission]

Hi there,

Thanks for writing in. I think part-time is a good choice given the details you provided. Normally part-time students are using the degree to directly impact their current job/career path, so I would focus on that. Typically those pursuing a full career change would pursue a full-time program to do it faster, so I would not focus on that potential in your essays.

Beyond that the standard advice applies -- keep your essays focused, demonstrate clear understanding of what the school offers and why that's important to you, and make sure you're answering the actual essay question, not the question you wish they would ask!

Good luck!
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[xxjatlandxx]

Thanks Dan! Based on what I said, do you think I have a shot at Chicago and Northwestern? I am not too worried about UT or UCLA.