Profile Evaluation for Part-time Programs - Thanks!

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Thank you in advance for your evaluation!

GMAT: 700 (90%), Q:47 (77%), V:39 (87%), AW:5.5 (77%)

Undergrad: B.S. Chemical Engineering, Top 25 (Public school). GPA: 2.93/4.00. 3.10 in final year. Math courses were Bs and Cs (Years 1&2) but engineering courses were all Bs or As (Years 3&4). I will address this in an additional essay. I am taking a Management Accounting (Cost Accounting) course currently through university extension (mainly for career benefit).

Work Experience: Currently a Six Sigma Black Belt at a blue chip company (Fortune 150). Led global supply chain development/improvement projects across multiple sites (UK, Singapore, US). Prior role was Engineer at same company. Promoted 2 times since starting - labeled as high potential employee. Will have 6 years work experience at start of B-school.

Extra-Circulars & Leadership: Cycling to raise money for diabetes research, Junior Achievement (teaching elementary grade students). Coached 15-20 Green Belts as part of Black Belt role.

Target Schools: UCLA Part-time (Round 1, Class of 2015), USC Part-time (Round 1, Class of 2015)

Male, 28 (at start), Asian (born in America)

Post business school goals: Global operations and supply chain management.

Question 1: Should I continue to take courses to build an alternate transcript or will the low GPA be mitigated by work experience and GMAT score?
Question 2: Chances for admission at target schools?
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by Tani » Sat Mar 05, 2011 11:14 am
Your low GPA will be a problem, but you are moving in the right direction to overcome that. The Cs in math will be your biggest stumbling block. You should look into taking hard-line math courses such as statistics and calculus to compensate for your Freshman/sophomore grades.

Your GMAT and work experience certainly qualify you to apply to USC and UCLA, but those are both very competitive schools. You will need sparkling essays and strong recommendations. Your work record indicates that you will have no problem getting endorsements from your supervisors and colleagues. Continue to pursue outside activities that show the breadth of your interests. Where possible, convert those into leadership positions.

If you are determined to gain the skills that an MBA provides, you should consider adding to your school list. Because of the number of exceptionally well-qualified applicants, schools such as those on your list turn down many more excellent candidates than they accept. With only two schools on your list,you are at risk for not gaining acceptance to either. That does not mean you should apply to schools you are not willing to attend. If you are not prepared to invest the time and money in any schools other than USC and UCLA, by all means stick to those two. Just recognize that there are no guarantees.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff