Ask Stacy Blackman

bschoolmania wrote:Hi Lisa,

Thanks so much for this thread! I'd value you your perspective. I have an UGPA of 2.7 (cumulative)in business from a top 30 school.

This is due to a terrible first year where I failed an English course (yes, it is possible). In sum , my year 1 GPA was 1.77 and I was placed on academic suspension for a year. GPA improved pretty steadily thereafter; my last semseter of senior year I had a 3.38 (deans list) and a 3.4 in my finance concentration overall.

My work experience shows strong progression at one of the largest financial services firms in the country and have 6 years experience. I have some interesting extracurriculars that I will be able to speak to (producing music etc.) My GMAT has been a bit scattered in practice between 730-670; I'm taking a course to ensure that it is over 700.

I have 2 questions:

1. Should I take any clases for alternative transcript?
- In my first year I got a C- calc, and don't have any econ on my transcript as I placed out from high school. In my last two years, however, I never recieved below a B in my modelling / statistics / finance courses. I'm looking to apply in fall, so the timing would be tight.
- If you think I should take a few courses, any advice on what to take? (I was thinking an econ course...)

2. Do I have a shot at the schools below:
Tuck, Yale, Cornell, NYU, Duke, MIT, Wharton

deepsea13 wrote:Hey,

I just finished my undergraduation in Electronics and Communication Engg. from a good engineering college in India. Now we don't really have GPA on the scale of 4, more like a percentage. Mine came out to be 60. I know it's low, but how high a GMAT score do I need to cover up my low GPA? I'm targeting some of the smaller and average schools in the US, Canada and Europe (clearly because of my low GPA)and that too after a few years of work experience. So what are my chances and how high a GMAT score do I need?
Thanks!

wishingonastar87 wrote:I went to a tier 3 university and majored in culinary arts. I graduated with a 2.37 due to the fact that I was absolutely miserable at the university and was very unmotivated.

After 2 years in the industry I decided it definitely wasn't for me and decided to quit. Is there any possible way for me to get into Rutgers or Baruch University's MBA programs?

Both require at least a 3.2 GPA ( I think Rutgers is higher) and minimum 550/600 gmat scores.

I have no professional work experience as I have spent the past 2 years (upon my graduation in 2009) working in kitchens. In addition, I was not involved in any extra curricular activities.

I was thinking of building in alternative transcript, however when I ran that idea by the admissions office for both schools, they both rejected the idea stating that it would be a waste of time and it would not offset my low GPA.

Is there any way of bettering my chances of getting into these schools? Or, should i look elsewhere and attempt to apply for a second bachelors at another school?

BornAgainAcademic wrote:Stacy,

I have been reading the posts recently and I am feeling a tad more confident in what I am going to ask. My undergrad senior could be categorized as an catastrophe. I was downward trending. Not trying to make excuses b/c there really is none but I had to bury to close family members and I was getting treatment for a critical medical condition. I graduated with a 2.3...(pause for laughter). I have 6 years of corporate work experience at the same company and received three promotions. I have 3 directors willing to give me a stellar recommendation and my company is willing to fund my progress (tuition and time)


I am currently re-taking classes I got D's in an effort to show my schools of interest that I have turned a corner in life (already turned one into a A-). I am also studying for the GMAT's and currently projecting somewhere in the 600-620's.

The school I am likely to focus on is a Cal-State University that is NOT impacted for the MBA program. Their minimum GPA is 2.5 and averg. GMAT is 550. I know I need to talk to the Dean or Consular but I am fearing the sticker shock when I tell them my huge fault in life (GPA).

What are my chances of at the very least getting in on some sort of probation? Or getting in out right?

I also volunteer in my community during holidays and every other Sunday at a local homeless shelter.
If that helps.

-BAA

ajphish wrote:Hey Lisa,

First of all, I'd like to say that this thread is really helpful! I fear that I am in a bit of a rut so any guidance would be appreciated.

So I went through the community college route in the California educational system to eventually transfer to Berkeley(3.86 avg). When I transferred my first semester I did well, but proceeded to drop in performance until I finished last spring with a GPA of 2.1. Depressingly low. I thought that considering using my degree in political economy (which focused on intermediate micro and macro econ) for getting a CPA by fulfilling cor requirements back at a CC and pursuing a career in accounting.Eventually I'd like to settle on an MBA but for now without any practical experience I was wondering if a CPA would be a respectable way to go.

What will be the biggest obstacles which will be getting in my way to pursue this career? Should I even bother or am I permanently resigned to a static corporate life with no mobility because I cannot get an MBA?

Feedback is much appreciated. Cheers!

gml1228 wrote:Dear Lisa:

I echo the sentiments of some of the previous posters and would like to thank you for your insight and guidance. I've gained a lot from reading your responses to the member replies.

I graduated cum laude from Fordham University in 2003 with a 3.55 cumulative GPA and a 3.89 GPA in my major. Upon graduation, I worked as a paralegal with a top law firm in NY for 2 years. I then worked in compliance for Merrill Lynch and again as a paralegal before entering St. John's Law School in 2007. The law school experience never fully resonated with me but I stuck through and graduated in June 2010 with a very sub par GPA, 2.8. While in law school, I attempted to create a start-up legal recruitment firm, which diverted a lot of my time and energy and it ultimately failed.

Upon graduating law school, I was hired as a legal analyst (lawyer pending bar admission) by a Fortune 500 employment solutions company (staffing, recruiting, executive coaching, etc). I'm on the board of two non-profit foundations, one of which has gained international recognition for its work in social entrepreneurship. I've been studying for the GMAT and believe that a score within the 690-720 range is well within my reach.

My question to you is: since law school is such a recent part of my history and my academic performance there was poor, is it still reasonable to consider applying to top MBA programs? Should I attempt to explain the circumstances of the poor performance in an essay? I'm just concerned that since my previous work experience (with the exception of my current position) does not include many highly impressive leadership roles, that I may be setting the bar too high by believing it is within the realm of possibilities to get into a top MBA program.

Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to provide.

Gary