Ask Stacy Blackman

If I were able to score what I've been scoring, would a top ten school be out of the question?

Hi!

As the other concerned posters above, I also have a low overall undergrad GPA. I have since gotten a graduate degree with a much higher GPA. I'm hoping that the rest of my application can more than make up for this blip in my profile.

Here's my general profile. What are my chances of getting into these programs? Are any of them more low-GPA friendly than others?

[Out of?] Reach: MIT Sloan
Middle: Tepper, McCombs
Safety: Smith
Part-Time: Stern (keep my options open should my employer agree to pay for tuition)

Basics: Male, Philippine citizen, US Permanent Resident, 30 years old by fall 2011.
GMAT: Real GMAT scheduled for June. Currently averaging 670 on Kaplan and MGMAT practice exams.

Undergrad Degree

School: Top 3 university in the Philippines
Degree/Major: BS in Management Information Systems
Undergrad GPA: 2.82 (overall), 3.38 (majors)
I Very active in extracurriculars, including leadership positions in both business-oriented and socially-oriented organizations. As a leader in one organization, I helped develop sustainable livelihood programs for people in urban poor communities around the university. I was more interested in doing something concrete and that was my outlet. I also did an internship for a local non-profit that taught computer technology to urban poor kids and worked on their record keeping and registration database systems.

Masters Degree

Grad School: Major state university in New York State
Degree/Major: MS in Computer Science
Grad GPA: 3.71

Professional

At matriculation in Fall 2011, I would have been working for 5 years. After grad school, I started out as a software engineer for a major Fortune 15 technology company and worked on various internal projects. Currently at a small technology company based in New York City, with several high profile small and medium sized clients. Work with clients through all phases of engagement from requirements to support. Development lead experience on various client projects and core product releases.

Extracurriculars

Set up a internet-based IRS 501(c)3 non-profit. I'm officially the CTO and member of the board. While I wish I did spend more time developing this non-profit, it had been somewhat successful in a couple of instances. Of course, the recession happened and greatly affected it's effectiveness, in hindsight.

Bottomline...

I would like to think I have a pretty strong profile except for the low GPA. How should I go about my application?

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for the feedback. Yes, the GMAT is a big thing but I hope it sets enough of a trend so that I can estimate the exact score in the end. I also do realize that most, if not all, programs I am thinking of applying to have not even finished making decisions on their Fall 2010 admits, much less start the application process for Fall 2011.

With regards to the non-profit, I have been the active CTO too on top of being a board member. Being a start-up non profit, that really means leading the team which designs and develops the system from scratch and coordinating with other non-technical people in the organization with regards to their requirements from the system. I have worked with the rest of the management team and board members to brainstorm and implement important decisions on the business model, branding and marketing strategy, and finances. Since the non-profit deals with education in the developing world, I have also directly worked with the main education point-people who really benefit in the end from our work. I would like to think this experience speaks to my leadership capabilities in both a technical and community sense.

Lisa, it's JY from a few posts ago... just wanted everyone in a similar situation to know I just got accepted to Ross. Top 10!

Dear Lisa,
Here is my explanation for very very low low GPA. I would appreciate if you can give me a candid feedback.

Thanks Lisa for your prompt replay. My question is more of "do I addressed the low gpa enough?" or can I do better in addressing the situation?

Thanks again.

Dear Lisa,

I just took the GMAT for the second time. Last time was 10 years ago. I got a 750 this time (I had a 710 in 2000). I have a 3.07 from undergrad (top 20 liberal arts school), Econ Major. I also have a Master's Degree in MIS with a 3.92 GPA. I have about 11 years work exp with supply chain management software (Development, Project Management, Architecture). I feel like I might be getting a bit old at this point (about to turn 33) but what do you think my chances are of getting into a top 10 school are? I'm really debating going back full time if I can get in, else I might just have to go at night. Any help or comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

Dear Lisa,

I'm not planning on applying for an MBA for a few years yet but I figure it would be good to start planning ASAP.

Basically, I have a First Class Honours degree from an Irish university and a Masters from the University of Cambridge, I didn't do very well in the masters, I managed to pass but I failed one class and ranked near the bottom of my year, I think I have a legitimate explanation for why I did so badly. I'm wondering will a strong GMAT/Work Experience help to compensate for that? I would really like to apply for the top MBA programmes, Wharton, Keollog, Sloan etc (I'll also be looking at British schools). I have taken the GRE (780Q 590V 5.5 AWA)but it will be out of date by the time I apply, I'm sure I can get an even better score (in GRE or GMAT) if I give the time to it (last time I did it in a bit of a rush)
Anyways, what I was wondering is, do you think my poor performance in my masters will rule me out from the top schools, and if not, what do you think I can do to help improve my over all application

Thanks in advance!

Hi Lisa,
First off thanks for all the help!
I'm having trouble deciding which schools to target. IMO i am a somewhat unique candidate.
A little about me:
Undergrad GPA 2.7 in biology ( got Fs and Ds, repeated classes, took 5 years!) A in calculus
Wrapping up an alternative transcript right now with the following classes:
Micro econ
Financial management
Business stat
Securities investment

Looks like I'll be getting all A's!

Gmat - yet to take but avg around 680-720 now

work experience:

3 years managing a music store
1.5 years climbing the ranks in the entertainment business ( 2 internships then paid job)
In the entertainment industry you really have to start unpaid for the most part then move up to the position i held at my last job.

Now i hated working in hollywood, yeah its cool on the outside but very toxic on the inside.
I moved back home to build the alternative transcript and here i am.

My questions:
What range of schools should i be targeting?
How mitigating will the alternative transcript be in my case?
will my scope of schools change dramatically if i get a 750? ( i think its in reach and of course that what im shooting for)
is my work experience bad?
Would i be considered a career changer? if so how competitive is that distinction?