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Hi Folks, I am looking for PhD programs in Management focusing on sustainability part of business operations along with stakeholder management. Any leads would be helpful.​ Post MBA, I have worked in livelihoods sector (NGO) for 3 years and is currently associated one of the largest Coal producing company of the world since last 4 years as a part of social outreach land acquisition team. GRE: 324 (V&Q), AWA:4.0 Thanks

I was hoping that some of the knowledgeable and experienced individuals on this forum would be willing to evaluate my profile and perhaps offer some tips for how to improve my chances of acceptance. Here's the stat breakdown: GMAT: 750 (Q46 V47 AWA6) Undergraduate GPA: 3.6 Here's the qualitative stuff: My undergrad GPA (in marketing) is low, mostly because I was a hyper-involved student. I worked all through school and paid for 100% of my own education. I was heavily involved in a number of prestigious student organizations, and travelled often to conferences. I was also employed part time as essentially a student lobbyist for the University and lobbied in favor of student interests and funding for those interests at the State Legislature. In addition I served as the student representative for all sustainability efforts at the University. I strongly believe that the experiences that I gained during my time in undergrad are much more valuable than a few more points in my GPA, but I seriously doubt that an admissions committee would see it the same way. I was the first College of Business student in my state ever to receive an EPSCoR grant (sponsored by the NSF) to conduct independent undergraduate research. My research had to do with applying the study of microexpressions to market research, and was completed successfully. I initially planned to enroll in the MBA program at my undergraduate University, mostly due to my difficulty finding a good job that would provide valuable experience to carry in to a Phd program at a livable wage. I ended up withdrawing my enrollment once I was hired on as the marketing manager for a firm that serves as the parent company for 5 extremely diverse companies with a focus on sustainable business practices, many of whom operate internationally. My plan is to continue working in my current position for 2 to 4 years to gain a working understanding of how sustainable business practices are being marketed "in the real world." I then plan to apply for admission in to a marketing phd program (on the consumer behavior/psychology side of things) with the hope of studying how firms can best communicate their sustainability efforts/the overlap between marketing and public policy as it relates to sustainability. My question is, what should I do in the meantime to improve the academic side of my profile? Take some grad-level stats classes? Ask my former professor if I can help with research on the side? Any other suggestions? I am already reading the relevant academic articles that I find. My other question what kind of shot do I have at the top programs? I know everyone should apply to a few dream schools, some decent shots and some safeties, but I am not sure where to place myself. Thanks in advance for any replies, and I am so grateful that I found this forum!