<p>I am new here. I am 23 and just graduated from a small Catholic liberal arts college (Assumption college, Worcester, MA) with a degree in econ. and a finance minor. My overall GPA is 3.3 and econ GPA is 3.44. Not stellar, but I worked 40+ hours per week throughout college (part-time retail, traveling etc.). My family and I are first generation immigrants from India and I needed to devote time towards work to support my family.</p>
<p>I am interested in going towards venture capitalism (tech. focus), tech. banking etc. For these fields I believe that a strong engineering background is necessary so I am going to start a 2-yr MSEE program at Boston University in January 2008.</p>
<p>Considering the fact that my GPA is not all that great and I did not graduate from a well-known college, should I forget about getting into fields like VC, tech banking etc.? What are my chances of getting into a top 15 MBA program somewhere considering I have no “blue-chip” work experience (ibanking, consulting etc.)?</p>
<p>I intend to establish my own business by the end of this year (saved enough for an “creative” restaurant venture). Considering that the the plan is to apply to b-school after the MSEE. It would also give me ample time to establish a healthy business (or two!!) to show off in front of the b-school admission committee. Will that improve my chances of getting into a prestigious MBA program? </p>
<p>Sorry for the long list of question but ultimately what would B-school value more; “blue-chip” work experience or entrepreneurship?</p>
<p>Why do you assume people know what MSEE is? I just googled MSEE Boston University and none of the first 50 hits were relevant. So I don’t really know what you are talking about. Provide links. (most people reading this probably wouldn’t even bother to google your MSEE program, they’d just move on to a different thread.)</p>
<p>How do you intend to run a successful business while studying engineering at a good university?</p>
<p>If MSEE is an engineering program, how do you expect to survive given that your previous education is nowhere close to being related in any way? If it’s a decent program, how would you even be accepted if your undergraduate work was in economics and finance?</p>
<p>If you want to work in tech-related venture capital (a very specialised field) why would you spend 2 years opening a restaurant? How do you think business schools are going judge that decision of yours when they review your application? “I want to work in tech-vc so I opened a restaurant to impress you guys so i could get a prestigious MBA.” Huh?</p>
<p>To sum up, you’ve lost me. Your entire post is based on assumptions that I would be very reluctant to take for granted.</p>
<p>Right, I should have clarified that the MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) at BU is an intensive 2-yr program, especially designed for people with no engineering backgrounds (case in point: me!). Here’s the link:</p>
<p>Now the restaurant stuff; that’s just a side project, B-school or not. I agree it would be foolish to equate a restaurant with VC/banking etc. or whatever, but I never implied that. What I am really asking is how much weight do you think a top b-school would give to an entrepreneurial venture and does that make up for a lack of experience in a corporate setting? Essentially two scenarios:</p>
<p>1) open a restaurant and work on the MSEE at BU. Apply to b-school after the MSEE.</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>2) forget the MSEE and run straight into ibanking starting as an analyst. Work for 2-3 yrs and then send in the damn application to b-school.</p>
<p>Which scenario is better for a top b-school?</p>
<p>P.S. I really hope I was a bit clearer this time. Also why am I so interested in an MSEE and not an MA in Econ.? Because an overwhelming majority of executive profiles in the VC/tech banking sector has Masters in engineering degrees. I just think it would be an added bonus on my resume.</p>