Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I was wondering if you can tell me if I have a chance at a Top 10 school. I'm currently an airline pilot and graduated with a BS in Aviation Technology and a GPA of 3.59. I haven't taking the GMATs yet but i'm averaging around 700. Unfortunately, due to my current profession I do not have time to do many extra activities, so I don't have much leadership experience outside of work. Thank you for your time.

-s

Well, there's not going to be many (or any?) airline pilots applying. So you'll definitely be unique (although they will get enough one-of-a-kind applicants each year from all walks of life -- one of my classmates in b-school was a former Buddhist monk - you can't get any more unusual than that).

As for your chances, it comes down to how well you execute your application (assuming you do well on the GMAT -- 700+). Your biggest hurdle is convincing them that you have really thought through your decision to pursue a career in business. They know that you are clear about why you don't want to be a pilot without you having to say a word about it (because you're not getting an MBA to go back to being a pilot), but you really have to convince them that you know what you want as well as (if not moreso than) what you don't want. In short, it's really hard to say as you'll be a wild card - it'll come down to your application as well as whether the adcom will buy what you're saying or not (and that is a very subjective thing that doesn't vary by school, but by the individual adcom who happens to be evaluating your case).

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

Thanks for the help alex