<p>Hello, I am currently working full-time and considering the option to go to business school in the next 3 years. Hopefully I can get some advices on how I should prepare.</p>
<p>Background: International student from East Asia, bachelor and master degree in computer science from UPenn and currently working full-time (more than a year since graduation) for Microsoft/Google .</p>
<p>Long-term career goal: I want to go back to Asia and do (management consulting for technology companies + probably start up my own company later.) Before that, I hope gainning another 3-4 years working experience in US IT industry, and going to business school after that.</p>
<p>I have a passion for my goal cuz I have seen numerous IT startups with briliant technical talents and great ideas failed due to lack fo market/financial knowledge, which happens even more often in Asia than US. I want to apply my technical experience and (propably business knowledge from attending b-school) to help convert great engineering innovation into successful products/companies.</p>
<p>Say if I want to work another 3.5 years from now, and target going to business school in 2014. Here are some of my concerns:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I knew from the day 1 that business school value leadership experiences, so I worked hard and practiced my communication/leadership skills. I managed to get promoted after one year. However, honestly speaking, it's nearly impossible for me to get promoted to any management/leadership role in 4 years @ MS/Google. (Even for team lead, since they recruit the smartest mind in industry and competition is really fierce. Personally I have never seen someone from college promoted into management role in 6 years.) So my question is, does it make sense for me to join a smaller company where I have better chance to get more leadership experience?</p></li>
<li><p>I have taken some Wharton mba-level courses when studying at Penn, and I quite like the learning experience. I would really appreciate if anyone can share their experience on a two-year full-time program? </p></li>
<li><p>Does my career path (4-5 years engineering role in IT industry -> business school -> consulting for IT companies -> probably starting my own or joining VC) seem realistic? Does b-school worth the opportunity cost (giving up a 100K+ job)?</p></li>
<li><p>What's my chance of getting into a top 10 program coming from a technology background? I am not heading to b-school for IB/VC but brand name does play a great role in Asia. If my chance is low would you please suggest what i need to improve in the next 3 years?</p></li>
<li><p>I am currently working in US but my goal is doing consulting back in Asia. Do business schools consider me in the pool of international applicants or US applicants? Will it affect my application?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks in advance! Hopefully I can get some guildances for early preparation.</p>