Hi,
I am a very new member to this site. I just stumbled upon on it yesterday. First, I would like to thank all the people who contribute to the site. I am just plain amazed, at the tips/advice/strategies people post here, its overwhelming - but its awesome.
The reason I joined this site, is to receive feedback on how to improve my scores, and as I gain experience provide feedback to the community. Its a two way street and I do understand.
**READER BEWARE - this Post is long*** - Summary is in the bottom ****
Here is the challenge in front of me.
I have a very specific list of 3 Ivy league schools that I want. They all are Tier-1, and I have to overcome the odds, and get admitted. They all are in the top 5 in ranking wise.
I do know the fact to even show competitive application, I have to GMAT Score in the range of 730+ (I want 760+), as my GPA in undergrad was around 2.5 Overall and major GPA was 2.75 - yes its that damn low.
Reasons
I moved to US in 95, and got admission in college by '97 - but I graduated in 04 with B.Sc in CSIS from a normal university (but now its definitely ranked---its quite big university now).
Why it took me so long to graduate - first 3 years, I had no idea what the hell I was doing? I really had no guidance - hey its tough being new to the country and understanding the ways of life here.
But the next few years, I focused on my main skills which was in computers - I became Linux Certified, and AIX certified before it became the norm. I did fall in love with Linux/UNIX OS by 98....and wowed to master it, as I knew it would become a dominant force in IT.
While in school, I managed to get a 2 year full-time co-op at one of the biggest IT companies being AIX (UNIX)/Network Engineer - I was literally managing million dollar systems and network operation/infrastructure in 5 cities. It was the dream job, that I always wanted - at that time.
I knew back then, since I had low GPA - I working full time, and taking classes at night is gonna be damn tough (I only aced all the computer classes)...I knew in IT industry, they look at experience - not the school name (that was my understanding at that time)....and yes it did help me - the company's name, and experience was launching pad for me after I graduated. I nailed jobs at the big 4 accounting firms- but after consulting gigs (I hated to fly every week), I am now doing patent work in networking field. I also did some entrepreneurial work on the side.
Graduated in 2004
Major work Experience starts from 2001-present
You all might say, I should do LAW, or more comp sci. But no, I want to get into very specific industry in finance - yes I found my new love for finance in 06 during my travels and the rabbit hole for me gets deeper by the day. Computers has always and will always be a hobby for me, and now I want to go higher to truly what I really enjoy. Its more of a calling than anything.
In Short -----
I am not going to get disappointed with my low GPA of 2.5, and lose hope - but what other challenges am I going to face to get selected by those schools?
With my background, do I have a fighting chance to gain admission or do I have to work on something else.
Current GMAT range is - so-so. I have forgotten lot of material, and I do know I have to practice a lot . Math is definitely a weakness, vs verbal. Will be taking my first CAT this week.
I am a very new member to this site. I just stumbled upon on it yesterday. First, I would like to thank all the people who contribute to the site. I am just plain amazed, at the tips/advice/strategies people post here, its overwhelming - but its awesome.
The reason I joined this site, is to receive feedback on how to improve my scores, and as I gain experience provide feedback to the community. Its a two way street and I do understand.
**READER BEWARE - this Post is long*** - Summary is in the bottom ****
Here is the challenge in front of me.
I have a very specific list of 3 Ivy league schools that I want. They all are Tier-1, and I have to overcome the odds, and get admitted. They all are in the top 5 in ranking wise.
I do know the fact to even show competitive application, I have to GMAT Score in the range of 730+ (I want 760+), as my GPA in undergrad was around 2.5 Overall and major GPA was 2.75 - yes its that damn low.
Reasons
I moved to US in 95, and got admission in college by '97 - but I graduated in 04 with B.Sc in CSIS from a normal university (but now its definitely ranked---its quite big university now).
Why it took me so long to graduate - first 3 years, I had no idea what the hell I was doing? I really had no guidance - hey its tough being new to the country and understanding the ways of life here.
But the next few years, I focused on my main skills which was in computers - I became Linux Certified, and AIX certified before it became the norm. I did fall in love with Linux/UNIX OS by 98....and wowed to master it, as I knew it would become a dominant force in IT.
While in school, I managed to get a 2 year full-time co-op at one of the biggest IT companies being AIX (UNIX)/Network Engineer - I was literally managing million dollar systems and network operation/infrastructure in 5 cities. It was the dream job, that I always wanted - at that time.
I knew back then, since I had low GPA - I working full time, and taking classes at night is gonna be damn tough (I only aced all the computer classes)...I knew in IT industry, they look at experience - not the school name (that was my understanding at that time)....and yes it did help me - the company's name, and experience was launching pad for me after I graduated. I nailed jobs at the big 4 accounting firms- but after consulting gigs (I hated to fly every week), I am now doing patent work in networking field. I also did some entrepreneurial work on the side.
Graduated in 2004
Major work Experience starts from 2001-present
You all might say, I should do LAW, or more comp sci. But no, I want to get into very specific industry in finance - yes I found my new love for finance in 06 during my travels and the rabbit hole for me gets deeper by the day. Computers has always and will always be a hobby for me, and now I want to go higher to truly what I really enjoy. Its more of a calling than anything.
In Short -----
I am not going to get disappointed with my low GPA of 2.5, and lose hope - but what other challenges am I going to face to get selected by those schools?
With my background, do I have a fighting chance to gain admission or do I have to work on something else.
Current GMAT range is - so-so. I have forgotten lot of material, and I do know I have to practice a lot . Math is definitely a weakness, vs verbal. Will be taking my first CAT this week.
