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I am currently a senior MBA student. I am planning to apply to top PhD programs in business. Here is my background: 1. I don't have any work experience but since I am not applying to a masters program I dont think that would matter (am i right?). 2. I have two accepted papers in international journals. I also have some conference papers. 3. I have a paper submitted to System Dynamics Review (an "A" ranked management journal) and i think that will be accepted before the admission decisions are made. 4. I have gotten a 760 on my GMAT and a 116 (out of 120) on my TOEFL. 5. I have a clear sense of what i expect from a management PhD and I am trying to write impressive SOPs (I am not sure I can though!) 6. My current school is not a well-known one. I am studying MBA at Sharif University, Iran. I think i am not in a bad place among other applicants. However i don't know how my chance will be affected by the fact that i am graduating from a school which most admission officers at the top business schools have not even heard of. Could anyone help me with this? I mean could any body help me find out what my chance is? and could anyone help me with what to do to compensate for the weakness point about my current school?

For undergrad aiming for the top10 places, which is more efficient for admission purposes, an independent research (with good advisor, which can be a good training and learning the process of doing solid research) OR some research experience (like RA, though like treated as a slave and learn by little of research skills, could possibly lead to a co-authored publication in well-ranked journals, but the date to appear is obviously after the admission season)? This is the final year of my degree (I'm applying for Fall 2011) and I'm looking for a way which is more appealing to the adcoms of top10.