Target Operations Mangement Programs

[DanielVA]

Hi,

 

I'm considering applying for a PhD in Operations Management. It's a couple years out for me currently, but I'd like to get a feel for my chances and what I might be able to do to improve my shot. I'm not interested in going for the top schools, but I would like to know where I should I try to shoot for if I have a chance at all.

 

Background:

 

Looking to apply for Fall 2017 (Graduation from MBA and payback period complete while GMAT still eligible for use) I'll turn 30 just before the start of the program if that's helpful.

 

GMAT: March 2012: 730 Q48/V42

 

All education and work experience is in the US.

 

Graduate:

 

MBA with concentration in Engineering Management from US Top 50 part-time program. 2/3s complete and GPA is around a 3.8.

 

Undergraduate (3 segments):

Final Segment: Graduated with a 2.8 UGPA from a US Top Public University in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mechanical Engineering. My below B grades only came in physics-based classes (e.g. EMag, Electronics, Microwave). During this time I was also heavily involved with running a family business after my grandparents had passed away.

 

Middle Segment: Graduated (A.S. Engineering) with a 3.4 GPA from a local community college while running family business.

 

First Segment: Immediately out of high school I enrolled into a local 4 year school at the persuasion of my parents, rarely showed up for class and was academically suspended after 4 semesters.

 

No Teaching/Research Experience.

 

Work Experience:

- Will have 5 years Government Experience in Project Management Developing Information Systems to Manage Business Operations

- 4 Years Small Business Retail Experience (all aspects, hiring, inventory, management, etc.)

- 3 Years as worker bee for Wal-Mart (unique experience for MBA perspective, not sure how much transfers to Ph.D)

 

I know there's probably not much out there to compare to me and whether or not my Undergrad experience will get me thrown into reject piles right off the bat, but any perspective is better than what I have right now.

Edited January 30, 2015 by DanielVA

[DanielVA]

A lot of views, but no replies. I guess I should narrow the scope and get some insight as to whether I'm shooting too high that way. Some of the schools I'm considering include:

 

University of Alabama (Manderson)

University of Oregon (Lundquist)

University of Tennessee Knoxville (Haslam)

University of Texas Arlington

University of Houston (C.T. Bauer)

University of Washington (Foster)

UNC Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)

UC Irvine (Paul Meage)

University of South Carolina (Darla Moore)

Ohio State (Fisher)

UIUC

Indiana University (Kelley)

Washington State (Carson)

[zzhzz]

Is there anyone who got any reply from HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, Stern, UCLA and Carlson (U Minnesota) for Operations Management?

 

I haven't got any reply from any of them.. also no entry in GC

 

thanks!

[phd2017]

"Immediately out of high school I enrolled into a local 4 year school at the persuasion of my parents, rarely showed up for class and was academically suspended after 4 semesters."

 

"2.8 UGPA"

 

Those would be the two things that would stick out to me, particularly the academic suspension which I'm guessing came along with a bad GPA. You would think that most schools would overlook the bad GPA, or the academic suspension at a young age. But much like any other competitive program, they are just looking for reasons to disqualify you so the combo of those two may give you issues. Most of the programs you listed are pretty competitive; I would just make sure to apply to some "safety schools" that are ranked in the lower tier as well. With a 730 GMAT and an MBA from a top 50 you should be competitive for most of those programs, but I would guess it would be hit or miss getting into some them based on if they are willing to look past some of the blemishes on your resume.

[DanielVA]

Thanks for the reply. Ended up in law school.