Applying with strong GMAT/GPA but average work experience?

'weak work experience' is highly subjective. what defines 'weak?' what comparisons can be made about it? it's impossible for the adcom to know about every conceivable job type in existence, so unless you position your job as non-impactful, there's a chance the adcom could never pick up on it.

with that said, however, essays without a lot of meat on the bone as it relates to what you accomplished, the differences you made, the scale of your efforts, are definitely red flags. the adcom wants to see what kind of difference you made wherever your worked, b/c that's their expectation if they admit you.

career progression is a complex issue as it relates to the MBA admissions process. one reason is that many MBA applicants are young (under 30), so they have not actually had that much experience, and the reality is that there hasn't been that much opportunity to progress. most companies dole out responsibility slowly with the exception of consulting and i-bank firms, which is why those candds often have an advantage. so, what most schools are looking for is POTENTIAL. that potential can most easily be seen in GPA, GMAT, ECs, and other indicators what showcase an applicant's ability to make an impact. i wrote an article about this topic that might be useful for you: https://www.thefirstread.com/achievement ... plication/

hope that's helpful,
-james young