Airline Pilot Candidate

[modesto2]

Hi Lisa,

I'd appreciate your advice with my chances at several schools.

Academics
* GMAT: 750 (Q49 V44)
* GPA: 2.9
* B.S. Mechanical Engineering, UCLA

Work
* 4.5 years work experience as an airline pilot
* 4 summer engineering internships during college (mechanical, hydro, project, technical operations engineer)

Leadership Activities
* Executive Director, Dance Marathon at UCLA: lead committee of 80-students in planning $200,000 fundraising event
* Resident Assistant at UCLA
* Currently volunteer with pilot union

Goals
* Take airline and flying experience, coupled with an MBA, to eventually re-enter the airline industry in airline consulting and management

I'm concerned about my undergrad GPA (2.9). However, much of my poor academic performance resulted from extensive involvement in UCLA activities (see above). My GPA for the last two years improved to 3.3, so I'm hoping an improving trend is notable. Will my competitive GMAT score be able to compensate for the weak GPA?

Target Schools:
USC Marshall
UCLA Anderson

I will definitely apply to USC and UCLA. What are you thoughts about extreme reach schools like Berkeley and Stanford? Should I even apply? Will my GPA preclude me from any of these schools? Or will my GMAT + unique background + good overall application be able to compensate for my GPA?

Thank you very much for your help and insight.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear modesto2,

Congratulations on your GMAT score! I would say that it does quite a bit to mitigate your undergraduate GPA. I also think that the fact it is an engineering degree from a competitive school with an upward trend in grades your last 2 years all reflects positively on you and mitigates the fact it is below the average for your target schools. I do not think you should let your GPA, alone, discourage you from applying to any school you feel is a good match for you. Be sure to submit a strong, overall application to give yourself the best chance at any program.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[modesto2]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your help. I have an additional question regarding letters of recommendation.

As an airline pilot, I do not work with the same supervisor on a daily basis. Instead, I work with new people and supervisors all the time. Since finding recommenders is somewhat challenging for me, I'd like to use an old college adviser for one of my letters of recommendation. He worked with me for three years in college (2003, 2004, 2005) and knows my work ethic and leadership skills very well. My question is: did my work experiences with him occur too long ago to make him a possible recommender? While I understand it was several years ago, I am tempted to use him, because he has an intimate knowledge of my leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills.

Thanks again for your help.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear modesto2,

If you feel he is the best recommender for you, then you should ask him. It is true that it was some time back and being a college advisor is not exactly what schools are looking for, but you need to present the best application possible. If your other recommender(s) are more current and from your professional experience, then I think it will probably be fine. Since your supervisors change frequently, perhaps there is one you have worked with more or a co-worker you have worked with extensively that you can ask?

Good luck,
Lisa