Cal States With Low GPA

powpaopow wrote:Hi. I'm a recent graduate from UCSD and plan on applying to graduate schools for winter and spring. I have a 2.6 GPA (didn't study hard enough =/), a double major in economics and psychology, with over a year worth of internship experience at Smith Barney and another brokerage firm. I was wondering if anyone knows how difficult it would be for me to get into Cal State Fullerton or Cal State LA's MS in Accountancy program with this criteria. The admissions site for those graduate schools say that GPA min is a 2.5. I've been scoring around 650-680 on GMAT practices so far. If i get a GMAT score around there, whats the possibility of getting admitted? Any advice on improving my chances of getting into these schools?

bump, i'm in a similar situation. please help.

Pow,
In addition to scoring well on the GMAT, you may consider taking a post-undergrad course in statistics or accounting (and obviously score well) to prove you can handle the rigor of the academic program.

Good luck!
NP

I'll weigh in on this since I'm a CPA with a MS in accounting:

The advice to take additional accounting courses is excellent; your 2.6 will seem much less scary if you take a few upper level (read: hard) accounting classes and do well in them. You should be able to find some good evening/weekend classes at UCLA Extension (I'm assuming you live in LA).

Your score on the Quant section of the GMAT will also be important. Look at the GMAT as your "second chance" - make up for that low GPA with a rockin' GMAT score!

I'm at Cal State Fullerton right now doing a MS Accounting. I think most student here have 3.0 gpa and GMAT ranging from 550 to about 650...my best guess. I think I got in during first rounds of admin...so I'll give you my profile so you can compare.

UC Irvine Economics GPA: 3.4
GMAT 650
Work Experience in Sales and Underwriting 5 years

I think your GMAT is pretty high...so you might have a good chance. I can't really vouch for the MBA program here but I think the MS Accounting is pretty good. All the big firms (all big 4 and the like) recruit here...plus the opportunity cost is very low (school fees). If you looking to get into private acct or gov't (IRS, State Franchise Board etc.), they recruit here as well.

Cal State LA should be a little bit easier gain admission.

If you can afford it, try USC...they have one year program...but very very expensive.

Good luck

I know this thread is very old but I was wondering if you applied? Is so, were you accepted?

I'm interested in knowing also!

-B

I was accepted into Cal State LA's MSA program for winter 2012. My GMAT is 500 and my undergrad GPA is 3.33. YAYSIES!

hecubus330 wrote:I was accepted into Cal State LA's MSA program for winter 2012. My GMAT is 500 and my undergrad GPA is 3.33. YAYSIES!

Congrats!!!!!!

-B

blown383 wrote:
Congrats!!!!!!

-B

Thanks. it just shows that there is still hope.

I am currently a Business Major at Vanguard University with a 3.9 GPA. I am taking the GMAT this Saturday and I'd love to go to Cal State Fullerton to get a Master's of Accountancy. My practice test scores have ranged from 560-620. Will I have a good change at getting in for Fall 2012? Thanks!