OSU Fisher MBA Recommendation Questions
2024-2025 OSU Fisher MBA Recommendation Questions
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business does not require letters of recommendation but does require a minimum of two references that OSU Fisher reserves the right to contact if admissions feel the need to do so to reach an admission decision. Typically, your references should be from a professional context (example: supervisor). Choose individuals who can attest to your professional career and development, leadership, scholarship, and personal character and personality.
If you’re nominated for Ohio State’s University Fellowship, OSU Fisher works directly with applicants to collect three letters of recommendation for consideration.
MBA Applywire
Work Experience: Worked 1 year as a process engineer for an Aerospace and Defense company and now work as a radioactive waste management engineer working in nuclear energy with 2.5 years of experience and would have 4.5 years of total work experience by the time I would matriculate.
Goals: Did a few co-ops in water treatment and now work in clean energy and have a passion for environmental solutions. But don't necessarily enjoy technical heavy work and want more towards management side of this. Looking to pivot to strategy consulting, specializing in sustainability.
EC: Community Outreach Executive for Nuclear chapter at my work where I give speeches at elementary schools to promote STEM careers; Communication representative for my Union; some volunteer work with my local food bank and some other small community involvements.
Target: UVA / Duke / Cornell / Yale / Dartmouth
Safety: McCombs / Tepper
Reach: Kelloggs / Booth / Columbia
Does my profile have a shot at this? I have applied to Round 2 for INSEAD but outside of that, will properly apply this fall. Would love any insights/opinions/recommendations!
I am looking to apply to MBA programs with focus on energy and sustainability. I want to stay in the west coast and I am currently based out of here. Please recommend admission consultants too. The biggest caveat: I am unemployed currently (left my job in Dec 2024 to focus on my passions and figure out long term plans) and currently doing part time unpaid work as a VC scout and in a climate startup.
Profile Snapshot
Demographics: US citizen by birth but grew up in India. Indian female, currently based in SF bay area
Academics: Undergrad from top Indian engineering school (Bachelors of Engineering in EEE) (low GPA) - 6.1
Two research papers in undergrad with 40+ citations currently. Low GPA due to death in family and other problems but have strong ECs and papers in undergrad.
GMAT: 730
Work Experience (4+ years, diverse)
1.5 years at strategic analytics consulting & AI research firm in India – front-office, European clients - Medical devices and FMCG (F500). Title was imagineer (role is mix of business, data and engineering)
0.4 years at another analytics consulting firm – data engineer, FMCG client (TC: 120K) in Austin Texas
2.4 years: Series D startup Agentic AI space. Title Sales engineer in SF, California (GTM role working with enterprise Fortune 50 clients). Two unofficial promotions - no title change but got salary increase of 10k each and unofficial lead sales engineer. (TC - 180K plus options)
Currently unemployed. The AI field left me very concerned, rapid job loss and I was part of the problem among other concerns. I left since I wanted to focus and transition to the energy sector. Currently working with a cleanTech venture firm as VC scout and a sustainability startup. No money. Might start looking for jobs soon
ECs:
Founded Non-profit during undergrad. Still running in my undergrad school
Chief Marketing Officer of my undergrad alma mater in the bay area: organize events with 100k plus is revenue. Lead team of 5 and have one VP under me.
Toastmasters: was ex-VP
Passionate about animals and children education. Donate and fund multiple programs in India.
My strongest value system is giving back to my community hence I want to go into energy and sustainability.
Goals
Short-term: Work in energy startups - Go to Market in CleanTech, P&L or Development roles in public utilities, strategy role in an energy firm
Long-term: PE targeting the energy sector or VC in renewables
Dilemma
Will I get any admits? concerned about low GPA and unemployment.
Would love your views on:
Do I have a realistic shot at (M7 / T10)?
Haas is part-time. Rest are FT. Curious as what the best option is for both ROI and long-term value.
-Currently make $200k+ TC.
-BS in STEM (3.20) low rank state school
-MS in Management (3.9+) low rank private school
-Good ECs/Volunteering/Hobbies -- Founded an org that is still ongoing. On the private school's alumni relations board.
-Good story for personal statements and interviews. First-gen everything, low income.
Goals (in order of best to worst case):
1) co-founding a startup and running with it (e.g. vc funding, fellowships, etc.)
2) Chief of Staff at a start up --> Head of Dept or C-level
3) Back into another LDP in the area of interest
Studying for GRE and estimated around 320 in mocks. Is a 320 GRE better than 700 GMAT (classic)?
3.5 GPA with a B.S. in Molecular Biology from a small, private, non-target school. Graduating in 2025 but I'm looking to apply to a top MBA program in the next 3-5 years. I currently have a role lined up with a top 5 pharmaceutical company in clinical operations but my end goal would be to pivot into strategy or business development at a pharma company or consulting for life sciences. I have already taken GMAT FE (605 score) but I don't count this as I plan to retake and study (ideal score would be 675+, this will hopefully be achievable). If you have any additional advice I can implement in the next 3-5 years it would be greatly appreciated.