Can I get in? | Solid work experience | terrible test scores

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:26 pm
Followed by:1 members
Hello

I'm wondering if I can get some Admissions Consultants' help on my profile. I'm aiming to go to an MBA program this fall but have some glaring weaknesses:

Here's my profile:
Canadian Vietnamese Male/26/ 3.5 years of professional work experience
BA in History from University of Toronto (3.2 GPA)
Parents were refugees, dirt poor upbringing
Finished 2 year leadership rotational program at the country's largest telcom, lots of experience in different departments, good accomplishments and good letters of reco, afterwards have been here for 1.5 years as a Project Manager
Co-founded a non-profit that teaches computers skills to disadvantaged youths, have 50 volunteers, 3 years old and still running, I still volunteer here
Do Dragonboating and photography for fun

But Horrendous Test Scores:
GRE: V570 Q620 AW4.5
GMAT: V32 Q32 AWA6.0 Total 540; wrote twice, same score(!)

Questions:

1) Do you think I have a chance in getting into a Top 20 Business School, or am I just dreaming? I dream of going to HBS, Stanford, Yale, CEIBS, Rotman.

2) Submit GRE or GMAT? I am awful at these tests and just can't do them.


thanks
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 1090
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 4:06 am
Thanked: 175 times
Followed by:68 members
GMAT Score:750

by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:40 am
The GMAT is essentially a way for schools to 1) assure themselves you can handle the academics and 2) boost their average so they can maintain their ranking

Since Harvard and Stanford's ranking is not in any danger, they are more likely than some other schools in the elite group to bend on test scores. Their average is high, but notice they never publish the lowest score they admit. The key would be to demonstrate the ability to hang academically. U of Toronto is a respected school, and your GPA is decent, but would be considered "average" especially when you add on your "average" GMAT score. Top schools do not generally take "average" applicants, so you must prove to them you can handle the challenges. you will also need to rise above "average" with your story and vision. I like that you started a non-profit. While your work experience is not vast, it does appear to have been progressively responsible. You will need to overcome what you lack academically with what you have achieved professionally. Also must weave a believable, memorable, inspiring story of who you are and what you plan to achieve post MBA. Get some guidance on your application to have the best shot.
Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant


Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:26 pm
Followed by:1 members

by buddhatree » Sat Aug 14, 2010 4:43 pm
Thanks for the note. I'll need to do better.

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1255
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:08 pm
Location: St. Louis
Thanked: 312 times
Followed by:90 members

by Tani » Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:47 pm
I agree with Bryant's assessment. Dream schools are worth a shot if you can pull together a GREAT story. I am intrigued by your founding a not-for-profit as well as by your comment that you grew up "dirt-poor". Remember schools are looking for diversity, not to meet some irrelevant standard, but to bring the widest possible perspective to the classroom. Think about how your upbringing has taught you ways of viewing issues that might be different from those of people with more traditional backgrounds. Did you have to work your way through college? Does that explain your good, but not great GPA? Spend some time thinking about your story and how it is different from the stories you would share a classroom with. Then use those differences to tell the admissions committee why you would be an outstanding addition to their class.
Tani Wolff