Please evaluate my profile

[man123321us]

Ok, here goes. Any comments would be appreciated.

Applied to Operations Research/Op. Management programs

Undergrad--Top 25 U.S. Univ. according to usnews.com, U.S. Citizen
GPA--3.95 double major in Mathematics and Economics
GRE--800 quant (92%) 660 verbal (92%) 6 AW (96%)
NO PUBLISHED RESEARCH AT ALL WHICH STINKS!!!!
TWO YEARS OUTSIDE OF ACADEMIA (working) WHICH ALSO STINKS!!!
Recs--Major econ journal editor (journal you've heard of) wrote me a favorable rec letter. Another econ journal editor (lesser known) wrote me a letter. An unknown math professor wrote the final one.

I did not take formal classes in analysis, as I did an independent study in analysis and another in number theory. I put this in my statement inside the "independent research/learning" paragraph. Otherwise, I have all of the math classes you'd expect for a math major from a good program.

Any comments on my chances? I applied to a few weaker programs, but I aimed high (Penn, Chicago, CMU, etc.). Was that a mistake? How much will the lack of research bite me?

Thanks in advance!

[chartreuse]

being 2 years out of academia does not stink so you have to relax and stop hyperventilating. I know people who were out in industry for 4 years + and accepted to good schools so don't think you are behind.

[man123321us]

Got into two programs...bleeped out, but PM for details if curious

[Ancalagon The Black]

Thats great !! Might I ask which particular programs these are?

[chartreuse]

That's great news! See? I was right! Well, good luck to everyone else - I'm in the next round, entrance for Fall 2009. It's great to see people getting into different places and having various offers. It gives me a good idea when to expect results and such.

Man123321us - can you give us a heads up on what your interviews are like?

[Ancalagon The Black]

Congratulations. I think right now, you are the leader in this forum according to the number of accepts/interviews (which alone say a lot about your profile)

[man123321us]

The interviews I've had have been a bit unlike those I'm used to in the workforce. For instance, most of the interviewers don't really ask the interviewee too many questions, but rather use it as a forum for YOU to ask THEM questions.

It's less an interview, and more a chance for you to get instant answers to your questions. That being said, I'm sure they expect you to have come up with some decent questions, so your best bet is to prepare 5 or 6 questions about the program and/or research interests of the profs.

I definitely didn't try to "show off" or try to BS them...I get the feeling you might get called on it on a realtime phone call.