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What can I do?

by Skippy13 » Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:28 am
Hi something is worrying me about my undergraduate education. I cant estimate my GPA as I studied in the UK, but I think it would be right at the lower end of the scale. The most worrying thing is that there is a downward trend in my results ( I suffered with anxiety and depression for two of the the three years).

Since university im a different person and havent had any of the problems which plagued me. I scored 720 on the GMAT and have international work experience, I have also set up my own company with partners in Singapore and Norway. I can also provide excellent letter of recommendation.

How damaging will this downward trend be to my application? Would developing an alternative transcript help?

My target schools are ASU, Eller, USC, USD, Rice, U of T @ Austin and thunderbird.

Do I have a chance at all?

Thanks for any advice you can give
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:52 pm
I think you have absolutely have a chance. Your very solid work experience and your very solid (I might even say, very very very solid) GMAT will all work strongly to your advantage.

Taking each of your GPA points in turn:

- US admissions folks read applications from all over the world; they know how to adjust for grading rigor, different grading systems, etc. So...I wouldn't worry if, when calculated using the US system, that you GPA is a bit lower. You're in the clear.

- The downward trend is a bit more challenging but at least you have a medically valid reason. The challenge here is to communicate that you have solved the problem (or are, at the least, successfully managing it w/ medication and/or therapy and/or other resources) and that it will not be an obstacle to your business school app. When it comes time to write your application, be very careful about explaining the issue, saying how you solved it and why it is no longer an issue, then moving on. Avoid a tone that sounds whiny or apologizing --everybody has had challenges and obstacles so just deal with it briefly, candidly, and non-apologetically.


Given your GPA and work experience, I have another question: why aren't you shooting higher? Thunderbird, for instance, is a fine place but has also been in decline; USC (I assume you mean the South Carolina MIBS program, not Southern California) is okay but not great. I STRONGLY believe that it is a MUCH better investment to study international business at a top ten school than at a school like USC or Thunderbird. You get just as much international training PLUS all of the upside of a top ten shcool's peer groups, educational rigor, etc.

I strongly encourage you to to top-tiers like UT and Rice, a few very very good schools like UNC and Vandy, and then some safeties, but I would eschew a dedicated international degree. They're just not worth it to me.

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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