Please evaluate: 710 GMAT/3.0 GPA

Launched September 22, 2008
This topic has expert replies
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:09 pm

Please evaluate: 710 GMAT/3.0 GPA

by mbahopeful22 » Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:14 pm
GMAT: 710 (48Q, 41V, 6AWA)
GPA: 3.03 in Finance from top 10 undergraduate business program (worked at career center and did marketing research in consumer decision making)
WE: 3 years (4 at matriculation): 1 year in consumer-IT program (exposure to project mgmt and internal marketing/comms IT); 2 years as business analyst in technology at top BB bank (up for promotion soon); heavily involved in undergraduate recruiting in both positions. Both at "prestigious" firms.
ECs: 2 years volunteer in tutoring/mentoring program aimed at mitigating exposure to violence by providing an alternative after-school haven. Undergrad business club-- led initiative to promote recycling by educating and instilling best practices/forming habits in youth; also involved in firm's 'green' initiative to promote best environmental practices in the office and community.
Demographic: Asian Female, probably 26 at matriculation

Ideally would like to get into strategy consulting, with an emphasis on leveraging technology in consumer/retail sector to drive business. I have exposure/experience in IT/marketing/finance and want to get an MBA to bridge these areas to position me into management.

I understand that my GPA is low, but am hoping that the "story" is cohesive enough to show that my interest is more in technology/marketing and not so much in finance (what I majored in).

Stretch: Booth, Kellogg, Columbia, Duke, Cornell, NYU
Target?: USC, Georgetown, Tepper, BC
Open to suggestions, both in the US or International.

Should I retake the GMAT to offset my GPA? Is there anything else I should do to strengthen my application? Do I have a chance at any of those schools?

Any thoughts/tips/constructive criticisms would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 1:44 pm
Thanked: 13 times
Followed by:31 members

by Deena@ClearAdmit » Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:13 am
Hi, and thanks for your post! I think that you have a solid background in terms of grades, scores and work experience for the programs you're considering. I honestly don't think that your GPA will be a problem for many of the programs you've mentioned below, nor do I think your GMAT score is a problem. If you for some reason were scoring MUCH higher when you were taking practice tests, and could increase your score significantly without additional study, then I would understand why you wanted to retake the test, but overall, I would not suggest that without knowing more about your background.
I would suggest that you work on your applications to apply R1 or R2 for the programs you are interested in attending!
Feel free to contact us at [email protected] for a more detailed, free initial assessment of your profile!
Best,
Deena
Deena Maerowitz
MBA Admissions Expert
Clear Admit