Mr. Power & Energy

Hi, it’s Nisha from mbaMission! Your GMAT score is terrific, and it helps offset what business schools consider to be a lower GPA (although, the rigor of the major is considered as well, and mechanical engineering is one of the toughest out there). Regarding your work experience – the average # years for full-time MBA applicants is about 4-6 years. That doesn’t mean everyone falls exactly into this range, but one year isn’t quite enough for applying to business school. I’d strongly suggest that you wait until at least next year to apply – I think you’d have a really tough time getting in if you apply this year. With a letter of commendation from work already, it sounds like you’re on the track to success – between now and then you’ll want to make sure that you seize any opportunities for additional responsibility and to demonstrate leadership. And of course, promotions and compensation increases will provide clear markers to the admissions committee of your career success. In addition, it sounds like you’re involved in volunteer/charity work, which is great – business schools will care about the impact you have made in this area, so see what you can do to keep elevating your involvement.

Hi Mr. Power & Energy, this is Melisa from Stratus Admissions. Thanks for writing in. It sounds like you are on the initial stages of planning for an MBA and you have started off well with your GMAT score – congrats! And while your GMAT score is a real win, a 3.0 in Mechanical Engineering is solid and it sounds like you have some interesting international work experience; there are generally fewer spots available in a class for candidates with fewer than 4-6 years of experience. You will increase your chances by gaining additional work and extracurricular experience – specifically showing increases in responsibility and leadership. If you feel strongly that now is the right time for you to apply, you will need to sell that to admissions. In cases where I have seen applicants be successful with lower (albeit generally at least 2 years) work experience, they were able to highlight increasing responsibility in their role. Finally, whether you apply sooner or next year, you will need to focus on your goals. What type of problems do you want to solve? In what industry? Where do you hope your MBB experience to take you long term – would you stay in consulting or plan to eventually exit into a specific industry? With your UK degree and experience in Africa, where do you see yourself working post MBA and long term? Specificity to these goals are important for you to explain how an MBA can help you achieve them. Please reach out if there are any other questions I can answer as you plan for your MBA. Best of luck!