Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

Hi,
I wanted to ask for some advice with regards to my situation. My profile is below, could you possibly suggest schools which I would be competitive at. I have named some below but have concerns about shooting higher due to my low GPA and percieved lack of career progression

About me:
24 years old from a small european country which is very under represented in MBA programs. Lived in 12 countries growing up and have travelled to many more. Held leadership positions throughout college (all sporting) and contibuted to some academic societies.

Extra curriculars:
Very sporting. Play rugby to a high standard, Surf, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (have travelled to Brazil and Singapore to compete), Extensive charity work including a spell volunteering in Cambodia.


Work experience:
I currently have 1.5 years of work experience and would be planning on applying in another 1.5 years (giving me 3 years at application and 4 upon matriculation). Since graduating I have been engaged in a start up which focuses on the oil and gas industry. I have been employed in this role by two VP's who are very senior within the industry and their respective countries. Services include access to VC funding ($5m), international marketing for companies wishing to expand internationally, and the provision of executive consultative services. With work I have travelled to Singapore, Norway and Aberdeen. things are tough at the moment due to the economy and progression has slowed. I set up the business from scratch as the gents I work for remain fully employed.

I have also spent the past few months working with the head of a very large multi-national asset management firm to develop new investment vehicles. My work was presented to the board of directors and focused on Alternative investments within the energy industry. This will finish soon as my work is nearly completed.

I can provide excellent recommendations from both companies.

GMAT:
720

Future Plans:
Possibly an MSc in Financial services or International business
Studying for CFA Level 1
Some college level courses to address a low GPA


Weakness: Very low GPA due to illness. Problems which have since been addressed. not sure what it converts too from the european system but I would estimate around a 2.0.

Target schools:
In no order UT@Austin, Duke, Darden, Yale, Georgetown, ASU, UNC

I have a clear vision of why I want to do the MBA and where it would take me.

Thanks for any help,guidance or advice you can offer!

Hi and thanks for your note. Yes, that is a bit of a vexing situation --it sounds like you have very very strong work experience as well as a very solid GMAT. The GPA...well...I don't know what to say. Was the illness something that lasted long-term? Was it something that was ultimately cured? I mean, attributing a low GPA to an illness is kind of unusual unless the illness is long-term.

In terms of schools to apply to, I really don't recommend schools. However, I did put up a very lengthy "sticky post" that deals with precisely this topic so it may be useful to you to check that out.

I'm really interested in your situation so I hope you'll check that post out and then get back to me with your thoughts.

Paxton

Paxton,

Thanks for getting back to me. I was cut playing rugby for my university....the cut became infected and next thing I knew I was in hospital with a full blown staph infection. It didnt respond to antibiotics and began to spread up my leg....I was told to prepare for amputation.

After about ten days on an IV things settled down and the antibiotics began to take effect. I was successfuly discharged but began to suffer with panic attacks around this time. Panic attacks turned into full blown depression which turned into agoraphobia. Good times!

My final year counted for 75% of my degree and I proceeded to anxiety attack my way through my final exams pretty badly (I didnt even turn up for some). Its unfortunate but whats done is done and ive learnt a huge amount from that experience.

So I guess what im curious about is how much of a deal breaker is GPA? If I get some more experience, focus on other aspects of application and take some college courses could I be competitive?

Thanks for any help you can provide,

Well...the thing is that, even with a great explanation (like the one that you have), you still have an open and nagging concern about whether you can hack the advanced high-level courswork of a major MBA program.

So...I think I would take a three-pronged approach:

- Apply to very good but not top-tier schools as your first choices: UNC comes to mind, Univ. of Southern California may be another...I'm not suggesting those specifically just saying that level. My guess is that in those cases your GMAT will carry the day. At the top tier schools they really don't need you and a low GPA --for almost whatever reason-- is going to take you out of contention.

- Talk to admissions officers and get their read on your situation. It is not totally unique in my experience but it is unique enough that I think I would try to get some candid advice from somebody that sits on a committee. I never say this (I mean, this is the first time I have ever recommended this) but I do think its appropriate in this case. Don't settle for the usual BS about "we look at the totality of the situation" --insist (politely, of course) on really direct honest feedback. You'll know it when you get it though it can be hard to get!!

- Think about getting some kind of medical report on your condition.