Research MBA Programs

Okay, so I'll admit, as an undergrad, I wasn't such a great student. I was pretty ambitious - double majored in electrical engineering and physics and I took active roles in several academic clubs around campus, but all I have to show for it is a 2.85GPA. I'm now a 24 year old electrical engineer who has finally kicked his life in to gear and is swinging for the fences.

During my senior year, things just kind of clicked for me. I started seeing a therapist who started treating me for depression and that helped immensely. I had a particularly challenging list of courses that year but finished on the deans list - something I hadn't seen since freshman year. I also started thinking about graduate school and started studying for the GRE. I did pretty well, but I was realizing that engineering school really wasn't what I had a passion for. While I pondered getting a masters I started teaching myself a second language, became a lead designer and started leading large projects at work, and realized that if I wanted to continue my career, I would need to get an MBA, and decided to take the GMAT. I studied but not particularly well, and got a 650 on my first attempt. I kind of got wrapped up with stuff at work and now I'm studying to retake the exam, averaging three hours a night on top of a fifty hour work week, and I'm confident I can make it in to the 700s this time based off my practice exams.

I can get some pretty awesome recommendations for business school, and I can write a really strong application essay, so what are my chances of getting in to a really strong business school? My number one choice would be Cornell, where the average GMAT score is a 690. I don't know what the average undergrad GPA is for the program, but I'm not going to fool myself in to thinking I would be even close to the average applicant's, but I plan on applying before the first deadline and hoping for the best. Any advice on how to boost the odds of getting in? Should I consider taking some more business courses before applying? I have lots of math and science, but little in way of business course experience. Like I said before, I know my vegas odds don't look particularly great right now, but any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks! That's very reassuring to finally hear someone say. What are some resources that can help me get a better idea of the kind of students each university is looking for? I know how to cast a wide net, but knowing where to cast it to begin with would be a huge help!

I feel like I'm in a similar boat. I've been thinking about going back for an MBA to start my own business [consulting SMBs on how to appeal to women]. I left my job to be with my daughters (who are now 3 and 5) and I want to go back to work. I had some mental health issues during undergrad and graduated with a 2.3 in Communications. Thinking about doing an online mba at maybe a less prestigious school like schiller international university but i don't know if that's a good decision.