Female/ Asian/ 30
GPA: 2.3 from California State University of Long Beach
Major: Business: Finance & Marketing (double-concentrated)
GMAT: TBD. GMAT scheduled for Nov 2013. Will apply to R2.
Work Experience: 7 years at the largest automotive company. My management team has agreed to support my decision to go back to school and as offered to provide excellent letters of recommendations.
Background: Had my own business for a couple of years, but decided to get into the corporate world.

Hi,

So, I understand that my low GPA is a concern for most MBA programs. I just enrolled in a UCLA extension course (Math for Management) for this coming fall to help mitigate that low GPA. My school of interest is part-time/ fully employed UCLA > USC > UCI. I'm not sure what my chances are to even get into any of those programs. I also understand a high GMAT score will help combat the low GPA, but I'm wondering what GMAT score I should get to even think about applying.

So far, I'm getting 500 in the CAT exams, but I'm sure I can get it to 600. But is a 600 even worth applying with my low GPA? Or should I be scoring around 650ish? What else can I do to polish up my profile? Do I have a chance at these schools?

Please advise. Thanks in advance!