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Profile Evaluation Request

by yaggz » Wed May 06, 2015 3:01 pm
Hello,

I am looking to apply to B School within the next year but I am concerned about my low undergrad GPA and job movement. I am also considering retaking the GMAT even though I scored in the 7s. I am aiming for at least a top 25 school in California - highly considering the following: UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and possibly Stanford. Please evaluate my profile and provide any tips that could strengthen my application. Also, what do you think are my chances?


Profile:

Male
Asian/Filipino
28 years old

GMAT: 700
Undergrad GPA: (CSU Program): 2.8
Degree: Business Admin, concentration in Finance

Work Experience: roughly 4 Years total
"¢10 months - Shareholder/Client Services - Asset Management - left firm for advancement to my next role.
"¢2.5 years - Portfolio Accountant - Asset Management (1 promotion) - left firm for advancement to my current role - which I was recruited for.
"¢Current: - Investment Op. Analyst - Asset Management (well known, and highly respected firm)


Long story short, low GPA due to personal reasons and job movement due to better opportunities. I don't plan on leaving my firm now as this is where I wanted to end up to begin with.


I appreciate the help in advance! Thank you!
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Source: — Ask mbaMission |

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by mbaMissionKate » Thu May 07, 2015 4:29 am
Hello!

So I'm not that concerned about your job movement. The roles are all within the same industry so it shows some consistency there plus it looks like you progressed in terms of your responsibilities with each role. So I think you can tell a logical story there for why you made those decisions. Most schools will ask on their applications why you left each position so I think you can explain that there. If not, perhaps it becomes part of the theme of your essay, like something around always seeking new challenges or ways to improve.

I think the low GPA is more concerning as they may have doubts about your ability to handle the rigorous b-school curriculum. You should definitely plan to write an Optional Essay explaining your GPA...not to make excuses but to explain what happened and reflect on what you've learned and how you've demonstrated your academic abilities since then. Two other strategies for addressing a low GPA...

1. Get a high GMAT - so a 700 is a great score but in your case, I think it makes sense to retake. Especially if you want to keep Stanford and Berkeley on your list. You don't mention your Quant / Verbal breakdown but generally the Quant score is scrutinized a bit more.

2. Take some supplemental pre-MBA courses. Think of this as creating an alternate transcript to the one you already have. Focus on taking Quant courses and/or retaking courses where you did particularly poorly in Undergrad. Generally good courses to take are Accounting, Stats, Calculus, Finance and you should aim to take them from an accredited school (local community college or online options via Berkeley / UCLA extension are good). Another option is non-accredited courses through MBAmath.com or Coursera. Taking these types of courses will demonstrate you're serious about the MBA, willing to take steps to improve your application, and able to balance the demands of work + classes.

It's obviously difficult to predict your chances...there are also some unknowns like your planned post-MBA career goals and your extracurriculars / activities outside of work. Stanford's by far going to be the toughest, they have the lowest acceptance rate. Berkeley could be a stretch too. UCLA might be a good target with USC being a little safer. You could also throw in UC-Irvine (Merage) or UCSD (Rady) to have a wider range. Are you willing to consider part-time programs? Many part-time programs, like Berkeley's, may be more willing to overlook a low GPA. Just a thought.

Good luck and keep us posted if we can answer any more questions!
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