<p>First off, the goal: Ideally, I'd like to go into some form of marketing consulting. Or work for an innovative tech company in a marketing position. Unfortunately, my UG is not one of the ones that any of these sort of firms bring the interview process to. In fact, I'm pretty sure the only way I am going to get my foot in that door is by getting a fairly prestigious MBA, preferably with a notable tech/marketing emphasis (Sloan, Kellogg, etc.)</p>
<p>Overall, I've been careful to choose opportunities that would afford me the chance to learn more and eventually shine, as opposed to big schools and internships with ample name recognition (but not necessarily the experience I desire.) Maybe this has been a sort of pie-in-the-sky approach, but I honestly think it makes me a little different than the usual kid that applies to top MBA programs, and a lot more hands on as a new graduate.</p>
<p>I'm not really even ready to apply anywhere, I need a few years of work experience. I'm just wondering if there is a path that I can take that will make this easier for me - I am an offbeat candidate for the top tier. I'll have a 3.6 GPA from a respected UG business school (it's not Wharton, but it makes the lists.) I've had good internships and have a diverse and marketable skill set as a result.</p>
<p>So where should I be looking to direct my efforts at this point? How can I become a top tier candidate without being an IB-bound ivy alum? And for that matter, what schools would be good to start thinking about? This may be a little premature, but I don't want to wake up in five years and realize I've wasted my time with lackluster jobs and haven't done much to warrant a second look from any admissions offices. What do these schools want to see?</p>
<p>I wouldn't say you are an offbeat candidate. In fact, given that you are a recent grad (or still undergrad) you are not a candidate at all. A marketing student with a 3.6 could eventually be a top candidate for any business school or could be rejected by any top 50 school. My point is that work experience is what is most important and thus it's impossible to judge you at this point.</p>
<p>In other words, be successful in your career now! That will help you whether you want to go to business school or not (perhaps you will discover you don't need business school). Find jobs where you can progress (the quicker the better). If your job doesn't provide you with that, then find a better one....and then an even better one. </p>
<p>Secondarily, when it comes time bust your butt and get a good GMAT and put together a good application package (and apply early in the application cycle that year). However, all that really matters right now is that you get valuable work experience and advance in your current career.</p>
<p>I guess what it boils down to is I'm seeing that very, very few people are jumping into prestigious jobs like IB or MC out of my school - jobs that traditionally lead to the path of a top tier MBA according to a lot of people. However, I have seen many graduates at other (admittedly more competitive schools) do this. I am beginning to get a serious complex just listening to a few of them. I guess I needed some reassurance that I didn't have to start out in some ritzy job to end up where I want to be in a few years. Thanks for the information.</p>
<p>You don't have to be IB or MC to get into a top tier business school.</p>
<p>You should try to get your hands on resumes of people at the business schools you are interested in.</p>
<p>These aren't resumes, but this tells all of the backgrounds of the officers of the MIT Sloan Marketing Club: <a href="http://web.mit.edu/marketingclub/about/officers/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/marketingclub/about/officers/index.html</a></p>
<p>Here are 3 students that are officers in Kellogg's Marketing Club (1 Management Consultant):</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/student/club/mc/%5B/url%5D">http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/student/club/mc/</a></p>
<p>Co-chairs of marketing club at Tuck:
<a href="http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/pages/clubs/marketing/%5B/url%5D">http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/pages/clubs/marketing/</a></p>
<p>Here are profiles of some Harvard MBAs:<br>
<a href="http://www.hbs.edu/mba/profiles/students/%5B/url%5D">http://www.hbs.edu/mba/profiles/students/</a></p>
<p>There are certainly some MBAs from MC and IB but there are plenty from elsewhere also. Some schools obviously have more from those areas than others.</p>