please help! need hope!

[sungirl]

Hi,

I need some expert advice! I wanted to know if you could evaluate my porfile and give me an idea if I am on the right track....

work experience
-four years experience in non profit management (animal wefare)

GPA
-3.05 from top rated university Econ degree

GMAT
-630 (41q, 35v)

lots of volunteer work and extracurriculars

Schools I am thinking about applying to

HAAS
Harvard

Georgetown
USC
UCLA

I plan on retaking my gmat in a few weeks before the round 2 deadline, but if I am not able to increase my score, will I have a chance at any of the schools I am intereted in applying to? I realize that HAAS and Harvard are a huge reach, but will I have any chance at USC or georgetown? I am also planning on taking a few math classes in january to try to boost my low gpa. will this help at all? do you have any suggestions of programs or schools I should consider as saftey's?

Thank you for all your help!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear sungirl,

It is hard to know what your chances will be without seeing your entire application. Essays, recommendations and resume can help to balance out below average GPA and GMAT numbers. Realize though that having both the GMAT and GPA below average puts you at a disadvantage relative to the applicant pool at your target schools where the volume of applications is high; thus these programs are quite selective. You will need to make a compelling case for your admission and show you will be a valuable, unique addition to the class. Taking some math classes will help--your GPA won't change, but doing well in that coursework demonstrates your aptitude to excel in the classroom and your motivation to succeed in business school. You might want to identify some safety options as well in the event your GMAT score does not increase--especially if your priority is to be in business school by September 2011. Generally speaking, safety options would be schools with GMAT averages below 630 and with the curriculum and resources that match your career goals.

Good luck,
Lisa