Hi there,

Looking for some feedback.

Here's my background:
Age: 30 years
Indian, Male, US Permanent Resident

Education - BS- Mechanical Engg., reputed school in India, 3.5 GPA
MS - Industrial Engg., Top 3 IE grad program in US with focus on supply chain, 3.3 GPA
GMAT - 680 (Q-77%, V-85%)

Work Experience - Total 5.5 years. All after completing grad school.
3.5 years in a $200M+ private company in a leadership development program (LDP) -- company provides supply chain services for the retail industry. Reported to the COO, as the LDP program was his vision. Projects ranging from business development strategy, customer service and hands-on experience in an automated distribution center, where I basically managed a shift with 20 associates. I wanted to gain experience on the "buy side" of supply chain services and a bigger company with bigger scope of projects. Left on very good terms. Currently - 2 years in a multi-billion dollar private company with some of the biggest brands in the world. Started in the supply chain strategy group as manager. Heavy analytical work. Got promoted after 1st year and identified as a potential supply leader as part of the formal talent pipeline process. Current role is supply planning manager (production and inventory management) for an iconic billion dollar brand for North America. I lead a team of 3 analysts and manage production plans at 2 large manufacturing plants.

Long term, I want to stay in the CPG/FMCG industry and to get to an executive management level role, I will need a MBA. Should I choose to pursue a part-time or an executive MBA option. there is a very good chance that the company will sponser 50%+ of the tuition. I am thinking about applying to Wharton and Columbia's executive MBA program. But willing to take the chance to leave for 2 years and get a full time MBA, if I can make it to HBS. I can easily make R2 HBS and EMBA deadlines.

Are these stretch schools/programs or should I consider alternate strategy (perhaps take the test again). I can make a good case with my application, especially coming from a supply chain/manufacturing background. After reading multiple websites and posts, got a little worried about the pool that I may get caught up in the 'diversity of class' point, which all schools consider as a very important factor. Obviously a lot of Indian engineers with 700+ scores looking to get into almost all top programs, but at the same time, a lot of them are from the IT industry or have experience tied to the IT industry. At this point, I am not considering any other full time program other than HBS. I do not think it will be worth the time to take the 2 years off from work for any other program. I am in the northeast, so Wharton and Columbia's EMBA programs are very appealing (specially if I can secure the 50% tuition support) and I think both are very prestigious programs. It will be great, if you can provide some feedback.

Thanks.

Your chances don't hinge on your GMAT score given where it's at now.

For HBS, your chances are slim to none. A 30+ engineer isn't what they're looking for. It's not about being Indian or "not" IT. It's that you have the double whammy of being too old in a crowded occupational category that they don't particularly favor (engineers) as much as they do those who worked in financial services or management consulting. And yes, in terms of class composition it doesn't help that you're an Indian engineer (even if it's not IT). To their eyes, a different shade of engineer is still an engineer.

However, don't let me stop you from applying. If you want to go, by all means apply, just keep your expectations realistic about what your chances are. If you get in, great - consider yourself extremely lucky.

And focus on the EMBA programs. They are likely to be a far better fit than HBS anyhow (you'll be in a class with a bunch of kids and you will feel old).

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