Profile Evaluation

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Profile Evaluation

by rchang0101 » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:41 pm
Hi Stacy,

Thanks in advance for your help. Here's my profile:

1) 2.2gpa ( i know it's low!), University of California Irvine, International Studies, 2003.
2) GMAT 640: 48 Quant, 30 Verbal. Planning to take it one more time to improve the verbal.
3) One of the training leads in a SOX compliance effort for a nationwide insurance company for 2 years. Working in Internal Audit for 4 years at a global apparel retailer as a lead in their SOX compliance effort and led various special projects, promoted to senior after 1.5 years. Now I'm working in the corp accounting department as one of the seniors. On the side, i've also started a small e-commerce business. I'm also planning to start another online venture later this year.
4) Every year I try participate in volunteer programs ( Food Bank, Project Angel Food, Habitat for Humanity, and local after-school program).

I'm applying to USC and UC Irvine's part time program for Fall 2011. I rather do their full time program, but I know my GPA is going to hurt my odds at getting accepted. Is it too late to do anything else? thanks again!
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by Lisa Anderson » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:48 am
Dear rchang0101,

I think you have a chance at both USC and UC-Irvine's part-time programs. You have solid professional experience and you have your essays, recommendations and interviews to make a strong case for admission. You can't change your GPA--it is what it is--but you can take advantage of the optional essay to both provide any mitigating circumstances for your academic performance and provide evidence of how you will be a better student in business school. Evidence would be a strong GMAT, successful track record in your professional career, and any courses you have taken since you earned your degree. If you feel the full-time program is the better program for you based on your career goals, I do think you should consider applying to the full-time program at UC-Irvine and perhaps USC if you increase your GMAT to 670+. There are also other programs in southern California that are good regional programs with strong industry ties on the west coast.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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by rchang0101 » Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:32 am
Thanks for the advice Lisa!