Hello,

I need some help evaluating my profile. I have done very well academically but struggled a bit in terms of finding what I wanted to do in life. I finally know which sector I want to be in (Bio medical/ Healthcare/ Nonprofit)
This is my profile
GMAT - 710 ( I have to retake again since my score just expired)
Undergraduate degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Louisville (GPA =3.75) (I immigrated from a developing country with my family and just joined uni in the first city I landed in)
Graduate degree in Accounting! (I know its hard to believe) from the University of Texas at Austin (Ranked #1 program) GPA =3.43
Work Experience - 1.5 years in a crappy job but a good company, 2 years in Big 4 accounting (I was laid off) and 2 years at the National Institutes of Health as an Auditor (investigating fraud in grants and contracts to Universities, Biotech companies and Research institutions).
Extra-curriculars - Mentorship programs at work, Volunteering at the Clinical Center, Bio-medical Research Funding initiatives, Toastmasters

I have a CPA as well.

I am targeting schools in California because that is where I want to end up living/ working. Want to pursue a career in Healthcare Management, Biotech/ Pharma, Non-Profit (related to healthcare/biotech). I want to get out of being pigeonholed as an auditor though I would not mind a finance related role in one of the sectors I mentioned. Also am I too old for an MBA (31)? Like I said before I had a weird career trajectory which I am most concerned about (getting degrees from the best accounting school after majoring in engineering - I admit I am a little crazy).

Also will my affiliation with NIH help any in getting admitted (since NIH pretty much funds every school out there)? Also how will private employers view my work ex at NIH? Can I target working at a Hospital or University post graduation in a senior role?

Target schools:
1. UC Berkeley
2. UCLA
3. Stanford (I know, impossible)
4. USC
5. Columbia/ NYU

Basically I have strong academics but some issues with my work exp, as a result of a lack of focus and few other factors. What are my odds to get into these schools ? Any recommendations of good schools for my profile ?

I appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks.

Hi Sbhaskar,

Thanks for writing in and sharing your interesting background. I agree there are aspects to your profile that are a bit unusual but those can become material for good application essays. Make sure you present each step as having a logical connection to the next step, and then show why an MBA is right next step in this progression for you.

Your work experience overall is strong though, and I think you could put up a competitive application at most schools. Stanford will still be a reach but the others are in range. As for the age issue, check out our blog post on how to address this:

http://www.mbamission.com/blog/2009/12/ ... m-too-old/

Lastly, I don't think your work with NIH will have much of an impact on the admissions' decision.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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