Should I even write my GMAT ? Please advise

[savithav]

Hi, I have been discouraged a lot during my Preparation for my GMAT scheduled Dec 9th 2010.

I am Indian Female 26 years of age

Did my undergrad in a top 20 engineerg school in India (Bachelors in Computer Science Engg) with a very low gpa or 5.65 on a scale of 10.(Reason being my mom passed away during my first year)

I later on joined a business school which awards post graduation diploma in business administration (PGDBA - most schools in India offer this and not MBA's) with specialization in telecom management with a gpa of 72 on a scale of 100 ...

I got placed through my business school in a telecom organisation and worked for 2 years as Senior Executive Product Management with a recognition award for excellence.

I later got married to a guy living in USA and came over to USA in June 2010. I cannot work here as I am on dependent visa. So I thought I should do a MBA here in supply chain to improvise my skills and get a work visa of my own ... hence started preparing for GMAT and scheduled the same for Dec 9th 2010. In the course of my preparation I have been meeting ppl and everyone seem to think that I have a very tough chance in getting into a good school due to my Low GPA and also the fact that I already have a Graduate degree in Business, low experience(2 years) and presently jobless(because I cannot work on a dependent visa)

I am looking at the following schools and my GMAT is in the range of 670-720 in my practice exams.
1) UC Davis
2) USC MArshall
3) ASU
4) Thunderbird
5) UC Irvine
6) UW - Foster

Can you please Advise me as to what my chances are in getting into one of the above schools. Will my existing business degree and low undergrad gpa(was depressed due to my mom's demise) and low experience(2 years) and presently jobless(because I cannot work on a dependant visa) hamper my prospect of getting into a good school ?


Should I even put any efforts to write my GMAT ?


Your frank reply would be greatly appreciated.

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. I completely understand your current situation, and hopefully it's a comfort for you to know that this isn't actually all that uncommon. I've actually worked with several clients over the last couple of years with very similar situations in regard to their work situation. Adcoms understand that you can't work, and that it isn't a lack of desire to do so that is keeping you out of the workforce. It will be important for you to demonstrate that you have been using your free time wisely such as participating in community service activities or volunteering your professional skills for a nonprofit in need.

In regard to your academics, again adcoms are often understanding of situations such as yours. You will want to write a brief optional essay explaining the circumstances (keep it below 250 words). However, the adcom may not really understand why you need an MBA when you are in possession of a similar degree. You will want to be very clear about this in your goals essay for each school.

You have a solid list of schools, and I'm guessing you used geography as a major factor in compiling the list. You will likely be more competitive at some programs (Thunderbird) than others (USC). Bottom line, only you can decide whether or not to take the GMAT and go through the admissions process. However, I would suggest reaching out to the schools on your list and discussing your current business degree with a member of the adcom. Not only is this a great way for you to connect with the school, but you can also find out how they will likely view your business degree.

Best,

Stacey