Profile Evaluation Request

[Toddius]

Numbers

720 GMAT (46 Q 44 V). 3.1 GPA from a small state school in Education/English. I know that's low - immaturity. In my defense, I also worked all through school. First gen college grad. Subsequently went to law school at another small state school. I had approx a 2.75 GPA there but it was a true curve (mandatory 20% fail in each required course).

Work Experience

I've worked for my state's Attorney General's Office for the last 3 years. Basically a litigation job. You mostly work on your own. Not a lot of teamwork - but I am close to two people that I intend to ask to be my recommenders. Have gotten to do a couple of neat things - jury trial, have done administrative appeals, etc.

Extras

Played Club Volleyball in college, love to golf, love sports in general (HS baseball), play guitar, love reading business books, I'm on an Economic Development Panel for the United Way, blogged about value investing for a long time, was an elected SBA rep in law school, school emissary, VP of my fraternity in undergrad, am the director of internships in my division at my work.

Interests

I would say I'm most interested in entrepreneurship. I'm interested in participating in my school's business plan competition and perhaps one of the big ones as well. I have an idea that I'm excited about and hope to come to school with a plan in hand. As a back-up, I'd say I'm interested in Management/Consulting.

My top 5 are Tuck, Darden, Anderson, Kellogg, Booth

I appreciate any insight you might have into my chances at the schools above. Thank you very much for your time!

[Cindy Tokumitsu]

Hello,

From the information you've provided I'd consider your list of schools to be mainly pretty high reaches. One issue is the low GPAs - even though there are mitigating factors for both, the fact that they're both low could raise questions. Your GMAT is solid, which will help. Also, since you come from a non-business background, the burden is on you to make a very clear and compelling case not just for why you want an MBA, but for why you want to make this huge career change AND how you know business is the right path for you. You should demonstrate some knowledge of business, even if indirect, in your application, to establish that you are making an informed decision. Your work with the United Way will be a plus, but I'd still consider these schools high reaches, with perhaps Anderson as more of a reasonable reach.

On the more positive side - if you make a credible and compelling case, you do present a differentiating profile. With an idiosyncratic application, I suggest applying to a good number of schools to increase the chances that your unique profile will "click" with an adcom or two.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.Accepted.com

[Toddius]

Thank you very much for the candor and the advice. I appreciate it.