Profile Evaluation - Admittance Chances

Launched June 1, 2012
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Hi there!

I'd like to know what my chances are of getting into UCLA and USC MBA programs with the following profile:

Age/Ethnicity: 26 y/o East Asian male. Will be 27-28 when I apply and start classes.

GMAT: Haven't taken it yet but I expect a score of around 700-730. I've taken the GRE and received a 1450 combined score (out of 1600) which is roughly equivalent to 710.

GPA: 3.16/4 from UCLA. Double majored in social sciences.

Work Experience: Healthcare and Healthcare IT Project Management 4.5 years in medium sized companies (large locally but unknown nationally). Will be 5.5 by the time I plan on matriculating. Moved up from an admin assistant to project coordinator, then senior project coordinator. Looking to move into a project manager role fairly soon.

Extra Curricular: Active volunteer in different causes (Red Across, Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at local hospitals, community safety initiatives, and a couple more) since undergrad years although did not take any leadership positions.

Reason for obtaining MBA: To move up career ladder, learn enough to start my own company then donate part of the profits to charitable causes.

Please let me know what my chances are of getting into UCLA/USC and my chances at "higher" ranked schools. If I have a chance at higher ranked schools, what kind of tier schools can I reach for? Thanks!

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by Shawn@StratusPrep » Fri Jun 08, 2012 12:57 pm
Veritasperditor,

Thanks for your message. I am very happy to share with you that I think that your chances for admission to UCLA and USC will be quite high, if (but only if) you properly market yourself to these schools.

Your work experience is strong (though you will definitely want to apply this year since you are getting towards the back end of the MBA sweet spot). In your application, you will not want to overemphasize that you started out as an administrative assistant. It is really awesome that you have progressed so dramatically but I would don't overdo this in the application.

It sounds like your GMAT will be strong. In 2011-2012, we worked with numerous clients who scored in the mid 600s and were admitted to both UCLA and USC so 700+ should be good (especially if you have 80th+ percentile on the Quant section).

The double major and fact that you went to UCLA for undergrad will work to your advantage, but your GPA is a tad low, though certainly not so low as to preclude you from getting in. If we were working together I would want to understand any factors that led to your low GPA so we might consider doing a grade addendum. We had students accepted to UCLA and USC with lower GPAs from similar schools this past year.

In terms of other schools that you might want to also consider, if you want to stay on the West Coast and stay in healthcare, I would consider Haas at Berkeley very strongly. We have also helped folks into Wharton and Columbia with similar/lower GPAs and these schools have excellent healthcare programs as well.

Remember that the most important factors in your MBA applications will be your essays, recommendations, and how you portray your work experience. To be successful, you will ready need to define much more specifically your career goals.

Since your numbers are strong but not exceptional for these schools and to maximize your chances of getting into a top school as well as your chances of merit-based aid, I would consider working with an admissions counselor.

If you might be interested in working with Stratus Prep, please just shoot me a message. I am happy to do a free 30 minute consultation with you.

Best,
Shawn
Founder/Director, Stratus Prep
Harvard JD/MBA

[email protected]
212-307-1788
www.stratusprep.com

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