I have a very low GPA(2.7). I graduated this July. I did my Engineering with a specialization in Mechanical.
I also gave my GMAT(720- q-49,v-38,awa-5.5), GRE(1300- q-780,v-520) and toefl(108). What would be my chances?
I'm planning to apply for Fall-2010 without any work-ex as I just graduated. I'm looking out for JD/MBA or Full-time MBA. Could you provide me a concrete list of colleges which do not require work ex?

Lisa,

I too am in a similar predicament as some of the others that have posted.

I graduated in 1996 from the University at Buffalo with a B.S. in the life sciences. My GPA is quite low overall (2.45), but is higher within my major itself.

Since graduating, i've spent the past nearly 12 years in an environmental engineering consultant's role with various companies and with various responsibilites. I've also assisted (albeit remotely) my family in running a restaurant franchise over the past 5 years or so.

I'm currently interested in attending a second tier part-time/professional MBA program, since i am aware of my academic liablities and limitations. I'm interested in some of the Big Ten programs (i.e., Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, etc.) and have developed a spreadhseet that contains average GMAT and/or median GMAT score ranges for several professional programs across the country, among other pertinent information.

I have yet to take the GMAT and am currently in the process of studying for the test. I am realistically hoping to score anywhere in the 550-600+ range to give myself somewhat of a chance to get in to one of these programs. Obviously, i'm hoping that my professional experience, references, and compelling essays will help with admissions, and also hope that my time away from school will put less emphasis on my lower GPA.

I realize that scoring well on the GMAT is critical, but i was curious as to what your opinion is of my situation and whether or not i will have an ok shot at getting into a second tier program given my professional background and hopeful score on the GMAT. Will the amount and variation (i.e., some engineering/consulting and some business) of experience help at all with admissions?

I'm not a very good standardized test taker, so i am a bit fearful that admissions will focus on my low GPA and potentially lower GMAT scores and ultimately overlook my ability to compete in the program, which i think i have given my experiences, drive, and desire.

Thanks so much in advance for your evaluation and advice.

Hi Lisa,

I have a low GPA of 2.6 and an equally low GMAT score of 620 (Q40, V35).
My undergrad major was in Biomedical Engineering from an Indian University and I have 4 years of work exp with GE Healthcare.
I have worked in India, Srilanka and few months in China as well(this was a part of training program).
Ex-curricular wise I teach students as a community service which my mother started, is a member of Lions Club and invloved in other community improvement projects.
I had applied for Duke Fuqua's EA round and didn't get an interview invitation. So I've been thinkin of retaking the GMAT and hoping to apply to Texas Austin, Boston Uni and Haas. My essays and recos are evry strong. I have a impressive vision to help re-build my country's healthcare system. I was hoping that this will work as the biggest selling point.
Should I apply with a 620 or retake it.
Thanks in advance.

I have a bs in mechanical engineering from UCSB. My Gpa is pretty low at 2.85. I just took the gmat and got 700 44 v 42 q. I am probibly going to take it again becuase i think i can do better on the Q. I wanted to apply to a top 15 school and have about 2 years of work exp at the moment at an aerospace engineering firm as a manufacturing engineer.

What are my chances of getting into a program and what can i do to better my chances?

Thanks for your response Lisa. The two schools i am looking at are ucla (top 15) and usc. I understand they look at much more then just a gmat or gpa. My main questions are,

Do you think its worth my time to retake the test... i think a 720-740 is within my ability?

Also, do you think i should take accounting/economics classes at a csu in order to boost my gpa?

Thanks for your help

Thanks for your reply Lisa.
I won't be falling under the Indian applicant pool. I'm a Srilankan. I was hoping my biomedical background combined with the fact that I come from a different culture will distinguish me from other applicants.
The problem is this is my 2nd attempt at GMAT. The first time I scored a 560 (a very bad day). Would taking the gmat for the 3rd time affect the apps? Im not a good standardized test taker. My mock scores were in the 690-750 range. But somehow on the test day it all goes wrong. Contemplating on retaking it again.
Also do you think I can probably build an alternate transcript taking economics/statistics classes. We do not have community colleges here in Srilanka. So I will either have to enrol for an online course or distance learning program. but then I might have to postpone my apps. If you can shed some light on this it would help a lot.
I'm going to take your advice and look into other programs whose GMAT avg are closer to mine.

Thanks for your help and looking fwd to your reply again.

Im indeed at the crossroads! I think if I buckle up and work harder I can get a much better score.
Will try for round 2 of the top 30 if once i tackle the gmat.
Thanks for you reply and words of advice Lisa. Helped a lot.

Hello, since i last asked you a question i have retaken the gmat and scored a little better. I scored a 730, v41 q48. I still have a low gpa from uc santa barbara, 2.84 in mechanical engineering. I have decided to wait a year to apply so that i will have around 3 years of work exp at an aerospace firm when i do. My question for you is if you think that a good set of recommendations would be good enough to get me into a top 15 program. Top 10...top 5?. I am asking because i want to know if its too much of a long shot with such a poor undergrad gpa. Thanks for your help.

I graduated from Rutgers University this year with a 2.5 Cum Average and a 2.9 major average in Economics. I finished the first 2 years of the engineering program and decided to move on because I was struggling, did not enjoy it, and began experiencing a series of health problems that have since been addressed. I also worked full-time to finance my education (both of my parents lost their jobs) while I was a full time undergraduate and still managed to finish in 4 years. I have been working at a major fortune 100 wall street firm as a financial analyst for the past 3 months and I am looking into Rider University's and Monmouth University's MBA programs. I have legacy and strong connections to alumni networks in both programs through family and friends. I am taking the GMATs this spring and I project I can get somewhere between a 600-700. These schools are looking for around 1000 for a combined GMAT and GPA*200. What do I need to do to maximize the marketability of my application and downplay my subpar GPA?

Thanks,
Nick