Round 3 admissions, low gmat score, odds?

[adamluc]

Just want to pre-emptively say thank you. This seems like a really great community, and a great place to get answers to questions pertaining to an mba.


My background:
I have a 3.4 GPA from a good school and a 480 on the gmat.

I co-founded a CTA (commodity trading advisor (hedge fund)) about 2.5 years ago, left about 8 months ago. The fund made money, but not very successful given the tough capital raising environment. I was the primary trader and traded commodities, FX, and interest rates.

I also co-founded an internet website business when I was working on the commodities trading floor after college. That business did ok, but it was too time intensive and I shut it down.

I am looking to get into a relatively good mba program for fall 2011(round 3 admissions) with a specialization in technology management or entrepreneurship.

Do you guys have any ideas about how I can do this? What are my odds?

Thank you!

[anuptvm]

Hi,

Round 3s are in itself going to be very competitive given the fact that most of the seats have been filled. Your GMAT is definitely below the average for most good schools. But your entrepreneurial achievements and GPA scores should stand you in good stead.

What are the schools you are targeting?

Round-3 deadlines are fast approaching at most schools and you need to score big time on your essays and recommendations to make an impact.

Thanks,
Anup

[adamluc]

I was looking at Babson, Texas A&M, Pepperdine U, George Washington University, and Temple's international mba program.

Considering I had no direct supervisors, I have a recommendation letter from a co-founder, a professor from college, and a client at my firm.

My gmat score is low because of the quant side, my verbal score was right where it needs to be to get into the above schools. I blanked out on the math portion of the exam.

I have yet to write my essays, but I could start immediately and have a lot of time to write them. I will make the deadlines.

Thanks a lot for the input Anup!

Adam

[anuptvm]

Okay it might be worthwhile taking a look at Clark University as well

[adamluc]

Thanks Anup. I know I can score better than how I scored. I will try again.

Thanks for your help!

Adam