Evaluate my profile/chances for OB or CB-Marketing programs?

[chi2011]

Hi,

I'm planning to apply to OB (and maybe some CB Marketing) programs this cycle, and was hoping I could get some opinions on how strong my background looks. I'd initially been looking into I/O psych programs and have little sense of how different/more competitive the field is when applying to business schools as opposed to universities, so any input at all is appreciated! I'm in the Chicago area, so was particularly wondering whether I would stand a chance at top places like Kellogg or UChicago, or if those are pretty much pipe dreams....

Undergrad: 3.6 GPA from highly ranked school (double majored in math and psychology, psych GPA was ~3.9). I worry that 3.6 is a bit low, but I was also pre-med so was taking rigorous courses

GRE: 780V, 780Q

Work:
-1 year consulting
-2 years as lab manager with some research duties. The lab is in a completely unrelated field (chemical engineering, because I took the position when I thought I wanted to do med school), but I will have my name on at least one publication by the time I apply this winter-- since it has nothing to do with OB though, will it even matter?

Research:
-2 summers, 1 school year year as RA in psych labs in undergrad
-Honors senior thesis- not submitted for publication, but poster won award at my school's undergrad research conference
- Since this spring, I've also been doing part-time RA work for OB professor at top-ranked school. However, I don't have direct contact with the professor as I work assisting his grad students

LORs: 1 very strong from honors advisor, 1 from PI of lab I work in (strong, but not related to psych work), 1 weaker one from psych professor from undergrad, potentially 1 from OB professor

I mainly worry that my background doesn't look very focused-- will it be enough to have a strong, focused SOP, or do you think I might want to consider masters programs as well?

Again, I'd really appreciate any feedback at all that you might have!

[elsenot]

On the whole this looks possible. However, I think the one thing that might be held against you is that you are a math major but did not get 800 on the GRE. Is it possible to retake it and get 800? Can you think of anyone who could write you a stronger third letter? If you are in the chicago area it is not too late to offer to assist a marketing/ob professor with their research for free in an effort in impressing them.

[possible_phd]

I would probably argue against elsenot's recommendation to retake for an 800. It seems to me to be a waste of time, as a 780 is acceptable for top schools, especially since you aren't applying for quant marketing.

As someone who is attending one of the mentioned programs in Chicago and who has taken classes at both, I'd say you look like a pretty solid applicant. I wouldn't worry much about looking unfocused. A lot of us come to business academia in a sort of haphazard way that doesn't really make sense on the face of it. For example, one of my classmates wasn't just premed, he was actually an MD! ...and an engineer. Now he's doing his PhD in marketing. I was a nuclear engineer, then a consultant, and now a marketing PhD. It's par for the course, so don't worry too much about it. Of course, make sure you can explain the path and why you made the transitions you did, but I don't think it will hurt you, per se. Your biggest boon is your research experience, which is highly valued in the admissions process. And though I think you've got a shot at the top programs, you certainly aren't assured a spot (but who is?).

Good luck!

[myndfood]

I agree with Possible. I'd be worried going up against you! Good luck.