FALSEnine9Thank you for the insights!
Agreed on the
profile review, this was mostly to whittle down my target schools' list, and get suggestions from professionals on others that may be a good fit.
As for the GMAT, I have consistently scored Q49-50/V42-44 on the mocks, and test-day performance suffered because of something unexpected that happened at the centre in the break between V & Q sections. So I know I can pull it off.
Yes, civic tech is indeed something I know of and am currently working upon (in edu-impact) with family members in the entrepreneurial space. The idea is going to be on the ground over the next 6 months. My long-term post-MBA goal too is centered around similar areas, specifically the second venture that I would like to work on - MSME-enablement, focusing on tier-1 suburban areas and tier-2/3 cities in India.
Tech Consulting is something I am already engaged in, so I know I can build transferable skills from here.
I'm targeting Policy/Public Sector Consulting because I have some trajectory through the Civil Services prep (policy case studies & analysis), and it is something I consider would be fulfilling to me at this stage in my career. However, on checking out profiles of people who are in it, I realise that industry experience is going to be valuable too, so that is a story/time-line that I need to set straight.
The choice of schools is due to two factors really - schools that have a quantifiably significant pipeline into consulting, and have some association with the P/PS-C sector. Kellogg for example, has a significant association with P/PS-C, same goes for INSEAD. I've found out Columbia offers a dual degree in the two (M/PP) and Oxford-Said has a great network with people in the field. I am checking out the options you have listed too, but Wharton and HBS would be way too much of a reach, by most people's opinions.
I haven't had the time to build out my profile/story too well and connect with the schools, having to get my career back up after the break.
So if you could answer a couple questions, that would really help -
(1) Is it inadvisable to apply in the '23 cycle? Especially if I'm looking at scholarships?
(2) If I am to apply for next year, how much of a factor would my age at graduation be if I'm looking to get into consulting?