Help Please! Low undergrad GPA, what GMAT score to aim at ?

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Hello all,

I am currently looking to apply for B-schools for the Fall 2010 semester.

Due to partying a lot, I ended up with undergrad GPA of 2.67, however due to good performance in my majors ( i was a dual major), I graduated with Honors in both of my majors ( Accounting and economics).

Currently I am a Graduate student doing MS in Enterprise Risk Management from Queens College, NY ( part of city university of NY). My expected gpa at the end of this program is 3.8-3.9. I have passed all sections of the CPA exam. I am also hoping to clear level 1 of the CFA exam before applying for a B-School.

Work Experience:

I worked for 4 years in retail banking part-time, while going to school. I worked as Teller and Personal Banker.

I am currently working in a Insurance company since past 1.5 yrs, we do For-Profit and Not-For-Profit work for the unions. I started as a Auditor, and was promoted to Quality Assurance Analyst. I was promoted again to the title of Collections supervisor.

I want to join NYU part time/full time or Columbia full time. What should be the GMAT score I should be targeting considering my low undergrad GPA ?

What role does Graduated GPA plays in offsetting low undergrad GPA ?


All advice and insights are appreciated. Thanks.
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:06 am
Hi and thanks for your question. A few thoughts:

- Your very strong GPA (combined with your graduating w/ honors in your undergrad majors) should mean that there isn't much concern about your undergrad GPA. Plus, the fact that you have your CPA and the first part of your CFA means that you are plenty smart and plenty focused.

- I think I would shoot for a 700 on the GMAT if at all possible. That seems like a good but realistic (well, it's very good score; not realistic for everyone!!) score that would give you a shot at schools like NYU and Columbia.

- You probably already know this but you have a very interesting work background that shows a lot of drive and persistence: working in college, getting the CPA and CFA, etc., etc. This is all to the good, especially when combined with great work experience after college...

- ...which is really my only concern. How strong is your post-college experience? And how much do you have? If that work experience is good then a 700 (or thereabouts) ought to make you competitive at NYU and Columbia though, as you surely know, there are never guarantees even for outstanding applicants.

Did this answer your question? Keep me in the loop about your thinking--

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html

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by bole_to » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:29 am
Thanks for your reply, your inputs are very valuable. I am planning to take the gmat in Aug. I will see how I do. If I do good, I am planning to apply for 2010 fall. If not, I will try to get some more years in and then try again.

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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:40 pm
I don't know that you need to wait for "years." A year would probably do it. Remember, too, that programs like INSEAD offer varying admission dates.

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html