Hello all! I'm new to beatthegmat, and I was wondering if some of the experts here could help evaluate my candidacy.
1. BACKGROUND - Male. Filipino. Graduated from UCSD ('04) in Cognitive Science with a very unimpressive sub 2.6 GPA. I had a lot of extra-curriculars, and lacked focus at the time.
2. GMAT - I took the test once with very minimal studying and got a 680 with a good split b/w quant and verbal. 5.5 on Writing. I'm fairly certain that with serious studying I could break 700. I'm targeting 740, and hoping it will help nullify my low GPA.
3. TODAY - I am an entrepreneur and have started a number of successful businesses - cafe', retail store, real estate investment holdings. And now I am currently in the process of moving to the Philippines for several months to oversee an import/export/distribution company that I've started.
4. Extras - I am a performing artist and producer on the side. Have been an actor and producer for stage/screen, and have given arts workshops to under-privileged youth. I have been volunteering for non-profit arts and cultural orgs for several years. I also have a huge investment in community causes and social responsibility... and have gone to the Philippines to assist as a Medical Missionary.
SOME QUESTIONS:
1. What are my chances of gaining admission into a top-tier MBA program? (The programs I like most are: Stanford, Booth-Chicago, Haas-Berkeley). If I wouldn't be competitive candidate for any of these, then do you have any other suggestions for target schools? I would love to apply 2010 if possible. 2011 if not.
2. I understand that acing a few classes (e.g. business calc, finance, stats) would strengthen my app. Anything else I could do, considering my background?
3. I have only about a 1.5 years of "corporate" experience from when I worked in Media. I would find it difficult to get any relevant letters of rec from a supervisor, since I am an entrepreneur. Any advice?
Thank you very much everybody. I would greatly appreciate any input!
1. BACKGROUND - Male. Filipino. Graduated from UCSD ('04) in Cognitive Science with a very unimpressive sub 2.6 GPA. I had a lot of extra-curriculars, and lacked focus at the time.
2. GMAT - I took the test once with very minimal studying and got a 680 with a good split b/w quant and verbal. 5.5 on Writing. I'm fairly certain that with serious studying I could break 700. I'm targeting 740, and hoping it will help nullify my low GPA.
3. TODAY - I am an entrepreneur and have started a number of successful businesses - cafe', retail store, real estate investment holdings. And now I am currently in the process of moving to the Philippines for several months to oversee an import/export/distribution company that I've started.
4. Extras - I am a performing artist and producer on the side. Have been an actor and producer for stage/screen, and have given arts workshops to under-privileged youth. I have been volunteering for non-profit arts and cultural orgs for several years. I also have a huge investment in community causes and social responsibility... and have gone to the Philippines to assist as a Medical Missionary.
SOME QUESTIONS:
1. What are my chances of gaining admission into a top-tier MBA program? (The programs I like most are: Stanford, Booth-Chicago, Haas-Berkeley). If I wouldn't be competitive candidate for any of these, then do you have any other suggestions for target schools? I would love to apply 2010 if possible. 2011 if not.
2. I understand that acing a few classes (e.g. business calc, finance, stats) would strengthen my app. Anything else I could do, considering my background?
3. I have only about a 1.5 years of "corporate" experience from when I worked in Media. I would find it difficult to get any relevant letters of rec from a supervisor, since I am an entrepreneur. Any advice?
Thank you very much everybody. I would greatly appreciate any input!
