Hi all, I'm new here, and I wanted to gauge your opinions on how I'm going to fare on my MBA applications.
-Undergrad:
My GPA is horrible. I graduated with a total GPA of 2.08 from a top public university with a reputation for being merciless (Georgia Tech), majoring in Business Admin. concentrating in Accounting. I had a couple of pretty major medical problems that didn't help me at all though. After a dismal freshman year I was diagnosed with a learning disorder early in my sophomore year, and I ruptured a disc in my back, also in my sophomore year. The back injury led to over 2 years of physical therapy, epidural treatments, and daily use of intense pain medication, ultimately culminating in Surgery. After the surgery I experienced some difficulties and was ultimately dismissed from the university. After that I got my stuff together, took a semester of classes at a local community college, was readmitted, and graduated. My GPA for the classes I took after coming back was just over 2.75, a decent improvement.
-GMAT:
Currently studying for the GMAT. Results from practice exams have projected a score somewhere between 680-710. Really shooting for a 700.
-Professional Experience:
After graduating I took a job at a start-up IT consulting firm as a staff accountant. I quickly earned the favor of several of the company executives with my work ethic and intelligence. I am currently being groomed to move into a project manager role in a new division that the company is starting. At time of application I will have just over 2 years of experience, which would theoretically be 3 years at time of starting B-school.
-Goals:
Now, I realize that the top schools are out, and I'm ok with that. My goal is to gain admission to a top 100 state university. Do realistically even have a shot at that? Part of me thinks that the marked improvement after being cut loose will be appreciated by the admissions committees, but the fact remains that the final GPA is only 2.08. Would my work experience and some sparkling recommendations from the aforementioned executives help offset the GPA? I plan on eventually getting CPA certification. What if I passed that exam before I apply, would showing the ability to conquer something as tough as that be a good sign? If I can't get admitted into an MBA program, I'm going to look at some MS in accounting programs to earn enough hours to get that CPA license. If I earned a masters in a business field and had top grades would it help my application, or would it appear redundant to the admissions folks and actually hurt me?
Thank you all very much in advance. Any advice and opinions are greatly appreciated.
-Undergrad:
My GPA is horrible. I graduated with a total GPA of 2.08 from a top public university with a reputation for being merciless (Georgia Tech), majoring in Business Admin. concentrating in Accounting. I had a couple of pretty major medical problems that didn't help me at all though. After a dismal freshman year I was diagnosed with a learning disorder early in my sophomore year, and I ruptured a disc in my back, also in my sophomore year. The back injury led to over 2 years of physical therapy, epidural treatments, and daily use of intense pain medication, ultimately culminating in Surgery. After the surgery I experienced some difficulties and was ultimately dismissed from the university. After that I got my stuff together, took a semester of classes at a local community college, was readmitted, and graduated. My GPA for the classes I took after coming back was just over 2.75, a decent improvement.
-GMAT:
Currently studying for the GMAT. Results from practice exams have projected a score somewhere between 680-710. Really shooting for a 700.
-Professional Experience:
After graduating I took a job at a start-up IT consulting firm as a staff accountant. I quickly earned the favor of several of the company executives with my work ethic and intelligence. I am currently being groomed to move into a project manager role in a new division that the company is starting. At time of application I will have just over 2 years of experience, which would theoretically be 3 years at time of starting B-school.
-Goals:
Now, I realize that the top schools are out, and I'm ok with that. My goal is to gain admission to a top 100 state university. Do realistically even have a shot at that? Part of me thinks that the marked improvement after being cut loose will be appreciated by the admissions committees, but the fact remains that the final GPA is only 2.08. Would my work experience and some sparkling recommendations from the aforementioned executives help offset the GPA? I plan on eventually getting CPA certification. What if I passed that exam before I apply, would showing the ability to conquer something as tough as that be a good sign? If I can't get admitted into an MBA program, I'm going to look at some MS in accounting programs to earn enough hours to get that CPA license. If I earned a masters in a business field and had top grades would it help my application, or would it appear redundant to the admissions folks and actually hurt me?
Thank you all very much in advance. Any advice and opinions are greatly appreciated.
