Great GMAT, Relatively low GPA

[Don Wrigley]

I just sat for the GMAT, have the following credentials:

1) 750 GMAT Score (Q47,V46), with a 6.0 on the essay

2) 3.0 undergraduate GPA with a bachelor of science in Computer Science from Rutgers University

3) 2 years of work experience as a software engineer, recent promotion. Plan on working roughly 3 more years before attending Business School.

My first question is, what chance I would have at getting into a top 10 or top 20 program, after another few years of work experience? The only thing I could see being a problem is of course my relatively low GPA. I'd like to know how much of an impact this would have, specifically 4-5 years out of undergraduate.

My second question is, what can I do over the next 3 years to improve my chances? Should I look into doing volunteer work, or something else of that nature? I figure I have another 3 years to beef up my application, may as well do all that I can.

I am very committed to this goal of business school, unfortunately I wasn't so committed in college until my senior year (when I had a 3.5 and 3.6 GPA in my final two semesters). I'm now doing everything I can to hopefully counteract that.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Don,

Based on the information provided, I think you are on the right path to build a competitive application to your target schools. It will be important to show you have gained quality work experience over the next three years with successful leadership examples in your application. Likewise, having career progression will strengthen your application. Yes, I would suggest getting involved in the community or in an activity outside of work. It would be great to show you have a long history with an organization and taken on some leadership roles during the next three years. Finally, I'm not overly concerned with your 3.0 in college. It will be quite a ways back, your GMAT score is high, and your senior year is strong. That is not to say it won't impact your decision, but I don't think it will be a significant impact (in my opinion).

Best of luck,
Lisa

[Don Wrigley]

Thanks for the reply!

An update, I recently decided to start volunteering as a coach in the Little League in my area. I figure this will be a great experience, as I love baseball, and also will be great for my MBA applications.

With this and what I posted previously, could I ask about my chances at specific schools?

I'd be interested in going to one of the following programs (in this order): Wharton, Columbia, NYU (Stern), Duke (Fuqua) ... and as a "backup" I'd like to apply Notre Dame (who recently sent me a wonderful letter asking me to apply as a Priority Candidate) and Maryland (Smith).

Do you think I have a shot at any of my top choices?

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Don,

Without knowing what your career will look like in terms of progression and successes by the time you apply, it is really impossible to comment on your chances. However, you are doing what you need to do to build the competitive application for your target schools. The coaching sounds great and should definitely give you something interesting to write about in your applications.

Good luck,
Lisa