Very Very Low GPA. Need Advice

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Skippy13
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Topic: Very Very Low GPA. Need Advice
PostMon Jun 29, 2009 7:36 pm Reply with quote
MY GPA is around a 2.0 and I need to know if I should just give up

. I attended University in the U.K and did a 3 year business degree. My first and second year results were average and my third year results were awful. I got sick...anxiety and depression as a result of a long stay in hospital. Third year counted for 75% of my degree...so performing poorly then really hurt me.

Apart from that year, my time at university was good. Lots of sports and EC's. along with a good internship internationally.

Since graduating, I founded my own business. We've been operating for one year and currently employ three people (with many more subcontractors). Focused on the oil and gas market, we offer people, consulting services, and investment capital.

I work internationally, currently living in Singapore. I have good EC's, very active in sports etc. Ive also done extensive charity work.

GMAT is 700. Schools I am looking at are ASU, Rice, Vanderbilt, Kelley, UNC, UT@Austin, Georgetown.

I plan to work for another two years before applying.

Do I have any chance? Or is my undergrad GPA going to hold me back completely.
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cindytokumitsu
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PostMon Jul 06, 2009 11:29 am Reply with quote
Hello,

The best way to address the low GPA, especially since you have a couple of years, is to take some courses (possibly starting with statistics and calculus if you don't have them or if your grades are low in them) and earn A's. If you can work in a couple of more courses, say in accounting and something else, and earn more A's, that would be advisable.

Additionally, in the application essays, you should explain the situation in a short optional essay.

Also, make your work as compelling as possible, in terms of your growth and learning (to share with your classmates) and the work's applicability to your goals.

Finally, since you are running your business, be prepared to explain in the application essays how the company will run without you for 2 years. The adcoms want to know they'll have your full-time attention in their full-time programs.

With the above efforts, I believe you'd have a shot at least at some of the schools.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com
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