Profile Evaluation: GMAT 710, 3 years IT experience :(

[dsinha.starent]

Hello,

I recently gave my GMAT and planning to apply for 2014. So I have some time for my applications. What bothers me is that I have all my 3 years of experience in IT field. Hence my profile lacks diversity.

Gmat:710 [50Q, 35V, 4 AWA]
TOEFL: 107

Education:
Bachelors of Engineering (Telecommunication) - R.V. College of Engineering (2008)
GPA: 4/4, Rank: 2/70

Masters of Engineering (Computer Science) - Cornell University (2010)
GPA:3.35/4

Work Experience: 
Cisco Systems - Software Engineer(1 yr) in Bangalore, India
Microsoft - Software Developer(2 yrs Post Masters) , US

Technical Paper Publication: 2
One paper was published at Cornell which was a combination of Law and Computer Science.

In my situation, I have experience only in IT field which is going to hurt me for my MBA admissions. Well I have actively taken part in social service and organized events. 

I plan to apply to highly ambitious universities. (Hoping the IVY tag might help a bit) The list is given below. Please evaluate my profile accordingly.

List of Universities:[Interested only in 2year full-time program. seek to specialize in strategy or general management.]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
Stanford University
University of California-Berkeley (Haas)
Harvard University
Northwestern University (Kellogg)
University of Chicago (Booth)
University of Michigan, Ann Harbour
Columbia University
Duke University
Cornell University

Thanks,
Dinesh Arora

[mili]

Hi Dinesh,

Thanks for posting! Given your background (Indian Male IT professional), it is of course going to be hard to differentiate yourself. Your academics are good, your professional experience is good, and it sounds like you have some activities as well. But, unfortunately, that won't separate you from others in your applicant pool. The fact that you did your Masters here at Cornell may help slightly, but I don't think it's going to be a huge factor.

With that said, I'd suggest really thinking through your personal stories/experiences to determine how you will position yourself uniquely against other candidates. How will the adcom remember you after reading your application? How will you be memorable?

With all this in mind, I would say you should target programs like Duke, Cornell, Darden. You should add some safeties to that list and maybe one reach like Michigan. The other programs on your list may be slightly overshooting.

Good luck,
Mili
Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

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[dsinha.starent]

Hi Milli,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I totally agree with you. But my sole aim is to do my MBA from a very good school preferably the top 10. I will keep on trying each year, until and unless I get into one. So can you suggest me anything such that I can do to stand out the IT male background. Any courses I should take or switch to a finance job or join a NGO. Please advice me which will be the most suitable option in my case to get admitted in the top notch B-school.

Thanks,
Dinesh Arora

[mili]

Go ahead and apply, of course. If you don't get in, I'd say that you should really start working towards your career goals and reapply in a couple years when you've differentiated yourself as a candidate. That can happen in many ways, but I think if you show that you're making progress towards your career goals, that will help a lot. But also taking up community service and extracurricular activities will help. The key thing is to develop your leadership profile in every way possible, and show that you really need an MBA to reach your goals.

Hope this helps,
Mili