MBA Handicapping: Is Working For Tobacco & Booze Companies A Blot On Your MBA App?

Is working for tobacco, booze and other bad guy companies a blot on your MBA app?

In this politically correct age, it’s a legitimate question to ask. That’s especially true for Abdullah who has an impressive track record at Philip Morris International. He’s had three promotions in his four and one-half years with the company and is expecting yet another resume boost in the near future. Currently, he is involved in strategy and program delivery across South East Asia and Europe.

Abdullah also brings some impressive stats to the game, particularly a 720 GMAT. His 3.2 GPA in accounting and finance from Lahore University of Management Sciences may be a tad below the average for the schools to which he will apply. But his highly successful work experience and knowledge of international markets, along with that 700-plus GMAT, should more than offset that score.

His MBA targets? Harvard, Chicago Booth, Dartmouth Tuck, UVA Darden, Duke Fuqua, and Georgetown McDonough, an excellent range of business schools with world-class MBA programs. His career goal is to transition from corporate strategy to consulting in the U.S.

In this episode of Friday’s With Sandy, HBSGuru.com Founder Sandy Kreisberg addresses the big question and assesses his odds of success at those superb MBA programs.

If you would like to participate in a future Fridays With Sandy webinar, you can contact Sandy and Poets&Quants Founder John A. Byrne here.

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