Though your undergrad GPA will continue to haunt you, perhaps you should use your additional essay to address this discrepancy by providing a valid explanation of how you "dissipated" your energy in other worthwhile endeavors while at school (maybe you were working part-time). However, the schools you have attended, the toughness of the courses you took, your GPA in your Masters, and your GMAT will more than compensate for them.

Second point is choosing bschools depends a lot on what you want to do. The network of your post-MBA career largely decides this. If you are into finance then perhaps a Colombia is a better bet than Sloan (which would be a top choice if you want to be in technology).

Arun

khicha wrote:Hi,

I am somewhat of an anomaly.

My undergrad was a mis adventure, with a 2.6, but then I decided to go to grad school and had a 3.6. Intent was clear, demonstrate academic rigor.
The undergrad school is ranked top 15 in the country, grad school is ranked top 10.

Worked with fortune 50 company in the strategy team for 3 years, and then left to start my own venture.
Leadership has not been a problem, as demonstrated that through out my career to date, and even recognized for it.

GMAT score of 740.

I am not sure what kind of schools I am looking at.. thoughts would be appreciated..

Cheers
K

Hello K


First off congratulation on your GMAT score. With this score you can easily aim at top institutes Like Harvard Columbia and Wharton. So we would advise you to work on your application now.

Gmat wise you are in a good position. Although you might need to prove to the admission committee that you're GPA won't be an issue. If you can tell in your application about the skills that you gained at work and beyond in the areas you had scored low would put you in better position. You need to indicate a positive learning from your bad experience. If you took any extra classes or courses in the subjects that you didn't do well and highlight your zeal to learn and improve it could also improve your low GPA situation.

Generally most of the applicants have a good 4-5 years of work experience. Although it is not just the work experience that counts but also what you did there like-what were your achievements, what initiative you took, what changes you drove in your workplace etc. So if you can show that in 3.5 years you have demonstrated the skills business schools are looking for you could put in a strong set of essays.

Hence the quality of your work, your academics and beyond academics will play an important role in determining your candidature.

Make sure you follow the 'show rather than tell' principle so that the admissions committee could really understand your strengths and differentiating factors."

Appreciate the replies.

I'll get cracking on those essays and narrow down a few colleges.

Cheers
k