Adding to the pile...Admission chances?

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Hello,

I'd first like to thank you for taking the time to offer this invaluable service. I have what I think is a fairly unique situation, and I am hoping that I am competitive for the programs I am interested in. I will certainly try to keep this as succinct as possible.

I graduated from Cornell University with a 2.8 (ugh, I know, haha) GPA. Since then I have worked one year as a Graduate Assistant in Intramural Sports at the University of Kentucky. I directly supervised 17 supervisors and over 75 student employees (officials). I have hired, fired, and trained employees for 5 years including my time at Cornell. I earned a 3.66 GPA at UK, however, I felt that I would be more comfortable at Indiana University in Bloomington where I am attending school currently. I have spent a month here, and I am glad I made that decision. Here at IU I am an Associate Instructor teaching 4 instructional basketball classes. I teach over 100 undergrads.

I just took the GMAT (9/7/07) and scored a 700 - 43Q and 42V.

My work experience, besides working as an Intramural supervisor (Cornell) and Graduate Assistant (UK) is mainly internships. I have worked for 3 NBA teams, and a semi-pro football team in the marketing or sponsorship department, and Vitamin Water during the past 3 years.

As far as leadership experience, I was the president of my fraternity's chapter at Cornell, this time included SEVERAL philanthropic and social events, too many to list here. Also I co-founded and captained a club basketball team at Cornell. We organized several games in the NY area, and played in an Ivy League tournament at Princeton. I was also an RA as a Junior at Cornell with 45 residents.

I think another aspect of my application that is worth mentioning is that I'm African American. I know there aren't too many people who look like me with my qualifications.

I find brand marketing fascinating, and I am pursuing an MBA to hone my talent as I begin my career as a young professional. I'd like to eventually work in the sport marketing field, and I hope to study the black consumer and ways that sport firms can include this largely neglected group. I am very interested in the Kelley school here at IU, however I don't know where I stand in this process. I'd like whatever guidance you have to give. Thanks for your time!
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by Amy » Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:52 pm
Hi iamjoesargent,

Your strong GPA in grad school and GMAT may help make up for the less than stellar undergrad GPA, so I think your academics and profile should be competitive for Kelley.

I think you may find it helpful to work for a few years - you don't really need an MBA to start out in sports marketing. Sports is a nontraditional career path for an MBA, and it would be very helpful for you to have prior industry experience when you are doing your post-MBA job search. You also will likely have a better idea of what you hope to learn from the MBA after you have worked in the area for a few years. Another benefit is that you may be able to aim higher for your MBA if you have a few more years of professional experience.

Good luck!

Amy
Amy
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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by iamjoesargent » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:50 pm
Thank you for taking time to respond to my post. This process is just beginning for me, can't promise I won't be back with a few more queries! haha