Overcoming a dreadful GPA

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Overcoming a dreadful GPA

by shady14 » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:57 am
Hi everyone.

I've skimmed through a lot of posts here, and I needed to get some realistic advices from the experts.

GMAT: 680 (Q49, V34) (Planning to retake again on 11/1; I'm aiming for ~750)
The problem with my GPA is that I have a LOT of failing grades, which I retook some, and didn't retake some. There's not positive or negative trend. While in college I felt like all I needed to do is just get a degree, so people wouldn't see me as a college dropout. I concentrated on starting up my own business, so the transcript really shows I haven't paid much attention to my academics at all.

And since I'm working more than 70 hours a week, I do not really have time or energy to take additional classes as a "substitute transcript".

Now, what would be my realistic goal? With my GPA and bunch of failing grades, no school seems to be a "safety" for me.

I'm really looking for a school with good programs but, honestly, also with a reputable name value because I'll get financial help from my family members to pay for the tuition, and they wouldn't help me out if I don't go to one of the schools with good name value.

I look forward to hear many insights from you guys.
Thank you very much for your time.
Last edited by shady14 on Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Jon@Admissionado » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:35 pm
Well, you have an interesting story and an interesting background. I won't pretend your grades aren't problematic, but they are definitely something to be dealt with. The grades will be more problematic as you aim for schools in the top 10-20, and once you move out of the top 20, things become easier to deal with. This doesn't mean you shouldn't apply to schools in the top 20! you can, but just take reality into consideration. And when you do apply to tough schools, you have build yourself a unique profile. Maybe you can go with a "Wild Rebel" kind of profile - like the guy who doesn't too all that great in class, but who has kept an innovative heart because of it (using your successful business as proof). There'll be other options too, but for that we'd have to have a chat first :)

Btu whatever the case you are gonna have to deal with it head on in one of the essays.

And we'll have to see what you get on your next GMAT, if you DO get the 750 it'll be a lot easier to convince them of your academic capacities.

So drop us a line: https://www.precisionessay.com/services/ ... sultation/
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:37 am
I agree with Jon that you are going to have real issues at the top 10-15 schools. An incredibly high gmat could indeed help your case.

One suggestion I would make given you want to get that "name brand" for the sake of securing your family's financial support, is look at part time mba programs. Some of the top schools like NYU and Haas have them, and the requirements around gmat and gpa are less stringent.

Good Luck!

Alex
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by MBAPrepAdvantage » Wed Oct 05, 2011 4:05 pm
The higher your GMAT score the better your case that your grades are not indicative of your potential. So study as much as possible to attain the highest GMAT score possible and hopefully use that score to mitigate your lower grades.

Another option besides applying to schools outside of the Top 20 is to apply to part-time or executive MBA programs; these are inherently less selective so you might find more leeway with your profile.

Good luck,
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by shady14 » Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:37 pm
Thanks guys. I really appreciate your inputs. :)