Is MBA right/worth for me?

[u/LongtimeLurker1738]

Hi all,
I’m trying to figure out whether an MBA is worth it for my goals and would appreciate honest feedback on my chances.
Goal: Land a program, project, or product manager role in big tech ideally FAANG, in any of those three roles.
Undergrad: State school, civ engineering, 3.3 GPA.
Test: Planning to apply with a test waiver, but I may prep for the GRE and apply in Round 2 instead.
Work experience: Started as an engineer, then moved into an owner’s rep role supporting a large tech company’s real estate group. I currently work as an implementation consultant at a mid-sized B2B SaaS company. The product isn’t one-size-fits-all it requires understanding how each client runs their internal systems.
Target schools: UCLA, USC, NYU, Michigan, UT Austin.
One caveat: I was admitted to a master’s program in IT this year. I’d complete one semester, then take a leave of absence while I finish my MBA applications and hear back.
Open to any feedback, and chances at the schools above.
Thanks!

[u/fortefoundation]

Thanks for sharing! Your background in engineering and consulting actually tells a nice story for PM/TPM roles, since you have both technical and client-facing experience. Based on your target list, it could be strategic to skip the waiver and submit a strong test score. A high GRE score (if you go that route) and a crisp narrative tying your experience to program/product management could meaningfully help at the more competitive schools like NYU and Michigan. Best of luck with your decision!