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Thanks in advance for any help here!

I just took the GMAT and scored a 690. I was a bit disappointed as this score was under my last two practice exams (700 and 720).

I will be entering UC Berkeley Law School in the fall and I will be applying to the joint JD/MBA program with Haas.

I'd really like to avoid taking the GMAT again (I have a full time job) so I would appreciate any thoughts or advice on my chances for Haas (I'm really dedicated to going there). I know my GMAT is on the low end for Haas, but I'm hoping that the rest of my profile is strong enough to balance this.

Here is some more info on my profile:

GMAT: 690

GPA: 3.73 at UCLA (degrees in Afro-American Studies and Political Science, with three quarters of calculus)

Work Experience: I think this is my strongest asset. In 2006, I started (and currently direct) an internationally recognized non-profit organization that addresses socially responsible investing and corporate responsibility in conflict zones. I have been published in a number of major publications, twice served as an expert witness for Congress, and would have strong letters of recommendation. I've also recently started a small for-profit business on the side.

Extracurricular: Most of my extracurricular activity have centered around my non-profit work (which started as a extracurricular during my undergraduate years and become a career after graduation).

It's not clear from your note whether you are applying to Haas and Boalt at the same time or are planning to apply, say, one year into law school.

My take is that you are a solid candidate. I wouldn't stress too much about the 690 --that's a very good score-- and it sounds like your work experience is a good fit for Berkeley.

My one piece of advice as you plan your application is to examine the procedure for applying to Haas as a joint-degree person carefully and make sure you make dates, get recommendations, etc. Separately, the standards may be different if you are applying as a first-year law student (higher, lower, etc.) so just make sure that you are totally informed and that you stay on top of it.

Good Luck--

Paxton

Thanks Paxton! I really appreciate the response.

I've already been accepted to Boalt and I will be applying to Haas during my first year. I've been keeping an eye on the application deadlines (I plan on having as much of the application as possible ready before I start law school in mid-August). I've also checked with Haas and there does not appear to be a different set of standards for joint applicants. But definitely good advice that I'll be sure to follow up on.

As Paxton stated you are a very good candidate for Haas. The only thing that I would add is that with you already being in the law program, that could give you a leg up on admissions into Haas. The degree to which that is a help varies from program to program, but the fact that you are already in a strong graduate program at Berkeley will help enhance your application profile.