Top 15?

[meg259]

Hi Lisa,

I am considering applying to NYU's part-time program and/or to a full-time program for 2011 admissions. If I score in the 700 range on the GMAT, do you feel that I have a chance at a top 15 program given my GPA isn't great for a public school? Currently, I do not have many extra-curricular activities which I plan to work on over the next year. I feel that I will get great to excellent recommendations. I have just moved to NY in the past few months from Atlanta, will being a female from the south differentiate me from the crowd? Also, if I were to apply to a full-time program is the fact that I will be nearly 30 yrs. old be looked upon negatively?

Age: 28
Gender: Female
Current City: New York, NY
GPA: 3.34 - Accounting (Undergrad) 3.55 - Accounting (Masters)- both from UGA
Full Time Work Experience: 5 years (2.5 years Big 4 Auditing, 2.5 years for top IB (current role Investor Relations Real Estate)
Certifications: CPA
Job Function(s): Investor Relations - Real Estate
Application year: 2011 full-time/2011 part-time

Thank you!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear meg259,

Depending on the strength of your essays and your actual GMAT score starting with a 7, I do think you have a chance at a top 15 program. Your GPA is not anything to be concerned about as it is right around the average for most programs. Accounting is a difficult major and that will be factored in to the evaluation. Since you will be living in NY at the time of your application, you will actually be viewed as an applicant from the northeast. Nevertheless, geography is not much of an advantage or disadvantage unless you are applying to a school that is heavily weighted to one geographic area. I do think you should decide in the coming months whether or not you want the full-time MBA experience. There are differences between full-time and part-time, and schools will generally not allow you to apply to both programs simultaneously. Finally, your age will not be a factor; you will be right in the mix with the majority of applicants to full-time programs who are 24-30 years old.

Best of luck,
Lisa