MBA ApplyWire

- ~5 Years in Air Force Special Warfare Officer, 1x combat deployment to middle east

- ~2 Years as a SWE for small defense tech company (AI/ML stuff, drone stuff)

- 3 publications (not peer-reviewed) on AI and warfare

- Former volunteer EMT

I’m entertaining the thought of pivoting my career by earning an MBA, but can’t tell if I’m being delusional or not. I’d appreciate if you could give me a reality check on if I should even continue researching how to pursue this path.

Profile:
34M, Chinese American, US citizen, based on the west coast.

Also gay and a 1st generation college student if that matters

Education and Scores:
BA in Biology (3.61 GPA) from an Ivy League School
MS in Entomology (4.0 GPA) from a Big 10 School
GRE score equivalent to 161V and 161Q when I took it in 2013 without preparation

Probably irrelevant, but I also have one first author scientific publication in a peer reviewed journal that has been citied over 50 times from my master’s research.

Work Experience:
8 years working as a biologist for an Agriculture Department primarily doing regulatory inspections (e.g. pesticides, quarantines, organic farms, etc). Currently earning 155k/year, but my salary is mostly capped now and promotion opportunities are almost non-existent (the last open position for a promotion in my department was in 2020).

My work experience involves some supervisory experience but it is not a management role. It centers around knowing state regulations/laws and applying them when doing various types of agricultural inspections.

This is my first job out of graduate school.

Extracurriculars:
Unfortunately I’m lacking in this area, but can look for volunteer opportunities.

Recently had a certification to teach high school biology if that counts.

I was the department wellness coordinator and I am also part of the department equity committee at work. I am also the graphic designer for my department.

Background:
I know my profile is completely unrelated to business when compared to other MBA applicants. My initial education and career path was driven by my desire to study what I found interesting and then working in a related field afterwards. I have no regrets about my former path but now I’m wondering if I want more out of my career rather than remain in government. I was thinking an MBA from a top school can facilitate a complete career pivot from where I currently am.

Why I want to pivot:
I currently work 4 days a week in an stress-free environment with phenomenal work-life balance but my opportunities for professional growth is limited and my skill development is stagnating in this role. I’m also feeling bored in my career. I no longer feel driven to stay working in my field of study like I did in the past. I mostly just want the potential to earn more money as my husband and I are expecting to grow our family in the next few years.

So what’s the verdict, am I being ridiculous by even thinking I can get into an upper MBA program and pivoting careers? I appreciate any insights you have.

Applying in Round 1 with a B.S. in Physics; my undergraduate institution uses a non-4.0 grading system where my performance ranks substantially above the highest honors classification. Having already secured an admission to an M7 deferred MBA program, I am applying in R1 to explore additional options and identify the best cultural and career fit.

Srcc undergrad economics, enactus president did internships at adani tata ortella global

Fingers crossed! I’m applying with a lower GRE that I really grinded to get. I have okay extracurriculars and about four years of experience in corporate strategy and development, so I’m hoping the rest of my profile helps balance it out.

Currently working at Big4 Tax Advisory for Foreign Portfolio and Institutional Investors. Have a low GPA but positive trajectory from 2.00 in Semester 1 to 3.73 in Semester 6 and a Finance Major GPA of 3.64. CFA L3 candidate, hopefully cleared by the time I join.

Profile handicaps also include a 3 year gap post graduation and had to repeat Year 1 in college due to failing a subject.

4 YoE at matriculation. T1 Indian engineering college (Mech Eng.). Long term entrepreneurial goal building sports infrastructure and improving access to high quality training facilities and credible pathways to professional leagues. Played football (soccer) extensively through school and college as captain in school. Football community head in Hyderabad with around 60-70 members.

-5 year Division I student athlete
-3x captain
-3.97 masters gpa (business analytics)
-undergrad major is sport management
-4 years at Fortune 500 med tech company (3 different positions)
-started a fund 5 years ago to help families affected by cancer in memory of my mom (plan annual events, present to 200+ people per event, allocate funds to event beneficiaries)
-targeting round 2
-Taking the GRE in Oct

Any advice on a range for a target GRE score and based on my profile do you think the 3.3 will hold me back from those top M7/T15 schools that I plan to apply to?
(I assume to help offset the 3.3, my GRE score will need to be pretty high)

I am thinking of doing Booth and Stanford Full time applications and Kellogg part time and also thinking of doing Booth part time as well since I have a low years of experience in a non consulting role. Knowing all this and my GPA what would an ideal GMAT score look like for me?

I’m in knowledge consulting (a bit more specialised than generalist track with lower client exposure - but I’ve been fortunate to work directly with most of my clients)
Currently 4 yoe
I don’t have anything particularly distinct in my profile apart from this
Bachelors in economics

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
Have experience in big tech prior to moving to consulting.
Manage technical consulting at a large retail account (5 million dollar contract).
Active member/ organize events at a women’s leadership organization.
Want to pivot into Product Management in big tech.

CFA charterholder (passed all three on first attempts while working full time)
First-gen college; grew up in a foster and adoptive household
Led intern recruiting
GRE 320 (V162/Q158), retaking -Quant is the known gap
Goal: asset management, PM track
R1 at Booth, R2 for the rest

I would like to get an MBA after obtaining 3 years of work experience in engineering in 2028 to transition to investment banking, specifically the industries of Financial Institutions Group, Tech, Oil & Energy, and Real Estate with an interest in M&A banking for all of the above

I am also interested in participating in entrepreneurship projects in my MBA with an interest in real estate development, tech or other and would pursue if gain enough positive momentum.