USC Marshall MBA Recommendation Questions

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.