Ask Stacy Blackman

I have a 3.09 in Chemical Engineering from Purdue (BSChE).

My first two years started off well, but as the engineering courses became tough, my GPA took a beating for a couple of semesters.

I've taken the GMAT but scored a 610 (V 32, Q 42). I've had all A's for my calculus classes and I've also tutored quantitative subjects. I've had a quant heavy major, and I've also taken courses like Engineering Economics and done undergraduate research that involved analyzing vast amounts of data.

As far as my verbal abilities are concerned, I've co-authored two papers that have appeared in a Management magazine.

Does this warrant an explanation in the optional essay, and if it does, how do I go about doing so?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Sid

Dear Lisa,

I really appreciate your prompt reply.

I belong to the oversubscribed Indian Engineer applicant pool. This definitely doesn't bode well for me. This was my second GMAT attempt, but I think I am running out of time for the third try since I have to get into a program this year.

I think I can make a strong case with my tutoring work ex, strong grades in allmost all my quant courses, and my current quant based work.

Also, if I am an Indian, with an American Bachelors degree what demographic applicant pool does that put me into?

Thank you once again for taking your time out to reply to my queries.

Really appreciate it.

Have a Great Sunday/Rest of the week,

Regards,
Sid

Lisa Anderson wrote:Dear Sid,

I'm not sure your GMAT score and GPA warrant an explanation per se. While they are not the highest in the applicant pool, they are not necessarily the lowest. I think you might consider taking the GMAT again if you have only taken it once, focusing your preparation efforts on the sections that gave you the most problems. If you are unable to increase your score and/or your score is below the average for your target schools, then you might consider writing an optional essay making your case for why you do not feel the GMAT accurately reflects your ability to succeed in business school. Your case should cover what aspects in your background and experience indicate you will be a motivated, committed student who can handle the coursework.

Good luck,
Lisa

Lisa,

I had a terrible UG GPA from a state school (2.5) but have gone on to lead at many levels of the Air Force (pilot and commander of 20 thru commander of 300+) and have been responsible for major humanitarian efforts around the globe. I completed a MS with a 3.9 GPA and have attended the Command and General Staff College. I'll be 42 when I transition to civilian life and am curious whether I would be competitive at a top MBA program. I am interested in consulting or management as a speciality.

Cheers

Lisa,

Thanks for the quick response and advice. The idea of going to school full-time again, the internships and career counseling that a full-time MBA offers seem more appealing, but I'll look into an EMBA. When I get ready to make the plunge and have my GMAT done I'll contact your group.

Cheers,

Hi,

I have a quick question about building my alternative transcript. I currently want to enroll in an algebra course, however, as per your suggestion my local community college does not offer "College Algebra" in those exact words. Instead, they offer either "College Math Preparation Level 3: Intermediate Algebra," or "Pre-Calculus Algebra." My question to you is, can you please tell me which one is more appropriate to enroll in? If you can please let me know I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Hi, currently I'm doing an MS in investment management program. My undergraduate grades were very low during the first half. My GPA was about 2.3 I transfered to another college where I graduated with a 3.2 with dual majors in political science and economics.

My question is do tier 1 MBA programs look at and consider masters GPA? Will my MS in finance help or hurt my chances of getting into a tier 1 business school?


I don't have the work experience right now, which is why I'm doing the MS program. My plan was that with my MS degree I could get some work experience and apply for an MBA in my early 30s (about 5-6 years away)

Thanks

Hi Lisa:

I am pursuing an MBA for the class of 2011, and wanted to get your admissions advice.

I graduated in 2004 from a top 20 undergrad program. I initially went in as a computer science major, and ended up graduating as a liberal arts major, due to personal reasons. I ended up with a GPA of 2.7. I also had a ton of dropped classes. It is amazing that I even graduated in 4 years, but I had a lot of AP credit from HS that I used.

Upon graduating, I decided to go into accounting. I started at the bottom, but through hard work, and intelligence was promoted several times and am now a Director of finance at a medium sized company (100 - 300 ppl).

I have intended to build an alternate transcript to show that my GPA does not reflect my current performance, but I am not sure what classes to take. I noticed that you tend to promote quantitative subjects, such as calculus, algebra, or statistics. I have always been very good at math, and was done with AP Calc and AP Statistics midway through high school, so I'm not sure if the admissions committee will see any benefit with me taking another calculus or stats course. I did take an upper level math course in college, which I did poorly in, but I doubt I could even find that class available to take again, nor would I want to! Since I've also had a career in accounting, I don't know if it would add any value to take an intro or intermediate accounting course after I've already progressed fairly high up in that field. I did take an intro accounting course in college, which I didn't do to well in though.

GMAT wise, I have taken the GMAT straight out of college, with pretty much no studying and received a 650 (thinking I may just do an MBA program at a non-top school with no work experience). I am fairly confident that with proper studying, I can get over 700 (hopefully over 750).

What do you think my prospects are into getting into a top MBA program (considering I receive 700-800 and build an alternative transcript of all "A's")? What classes should I take for my alternate transcript and how many? If I am applying to UCLA or UC Berkeley, would it add any value to take any classes at UCLA or UCB extension versus a community college?

Thank you in advance!

Greetings,


I am extremely worried about my GPA. I have a 1.33 and I really believe this does not reflect my academic reality.

I studied computer engineering in Spain and the grading system and the college career is very different than in it is in the USA.

A 4 is equivalent to a "Matricula de Honor" and that is very rare among students, less than a 2% get those grades per course. The engineering schools are extremely tough and students aim to pass the courses and survive. The average number of years to finish the bachelor degree (4 years) is of 6 years.

A 3 would be equivalente to a "Sobresaliente" (this should be the real conversion for an "A") and, sometimes, you can get for example an 8.0 in the final exam and get a Sobresaliente as final grade for the course because the teacher felt you deserved that grade, or maybe it was the highest exam grade of the class, however, the conversion done will take that 8.0 and it will correspond to a "Notable" that is a 2 and not a Sobresaliente!! (3) because the only thing considered is the number and a 3 is above a 9.0, and that is independent from the grade you actually received for the course. ONly the final exam grade is taken into account when not even the teacher graded us that way.

4- Matricula de Honor (5% of the Sobresalientes: which was NOT true for our classes at my school) This is like an A+++ and the proffesors weren´t obliged to give them to the 5% of the Sobresalientes.
3- Sobresaliente: 9.0-10.0
2-Notable 7.0 - 8.9
1-Aprobado 5.0-6.9

I think this is not fair.
4-Should correspond to Sobresaliente. 9.0-10.0 Which is a real A. I studied in an american High school in Florida (10th grade and I was a straight A student).

However, other than not agreeing on the conversion system, Is this taken into account by the American Schools? Could it be possible that even though I achieved a good GMAT, had excellent recommendation letters and demonstrated solid work experience,had great essays..etc... that the school would not admit me because I could bring the total GPA average for the school down?


I also wanted to ask, what do you mean exactly by saying the schools do not want excuses? I had many problems during college that heavily impacted my results. A 3 year health problem (eating disorder) and suffered the death of my sister in a car accident. Should I mention this in the application or would they be considered it too personal? or.. excuses? I really feel proud of myself just by having been able to survive through college...


My first and most desired choice is NYU-Stern. Part time program. I have been working in IBM for 2.5 years and there is an internal program were the people they consider have the highest potential for becoming the company´s future leaders are tagged with the top-talent flag from Human Resources. I am tagged with this flag. I am aiming to sept 2009 (i will have 3 year experience) or 2010 (4 year experience) it will all depend on my GMAT grade. I take the exam next 02 / 11 / 2009 and if I do not get >700 I will keep trying until I do. Otherwise I believe I have NO CHANCE in getting admitted at NYU taking my GPA into account.

What do you think about my real chances and how should I manage my GPA situation? I am really putting myself under alot of pressure for the GMAT and this attitude I know will not help me, but I am looking at the GMAT score as my only hope....

Thank you very much. I will be really looking forward to your response