fail = access denied?

[Express]

Hay guys

Im new to this forum, that includes the gmat test and MBA applications.

Im in the process of being admitted as an attorney but more importantly im very excited to be on the journey towards attaining and MBA.

I have very high aspirations, one being admission into a top 5 if not, at the very least top 10 MBA school.

However I have one or two blemishes on my career so far.

What effect is there in the application process if my University marks for the most part are good but I have fails on my academic transcript?

I have reasons why I have those fails but im not sure if admissions officers actually care about what they would term excuses.

My feeling is that I would have to get a very very good gmat score (above 750) to have any chance of being considered.

My heart is really set on a few schools, if there's any advice that you guys could give as to go about attaining admission into one of these schools I would humble appreciate it.

[Jon@Admissionado]

Well, first of all, your post made me curious as to what that second blemish might be

Second of all, a few failing grades is not necessarily an app killer, but it is helpful if you make up for it with both a great GMAT and very solid work experience. Whether or not you need to deal with this in an essay will depend on what story you have to explain this and how bad it makes things look, but at least you know it's a strategic option (in the optional essay for the most part)

[Express]

Thanks for the reply

Well I failed two subjects, not very important subjects but still counts as fails.

This caused me to do an extra year of law school.

In addition thats cut down my work experience, so by the time i'm thinking of applying to business school I would only have 2 years.

The thing is i'm hoping to do an MBA when i'm 28, latest 29.

Im not sure if i'll have enough work experience in a field (law) where there doesn't seem to be many MBA applicants..

[Jon@Admissionado]

From what I've seen Law is a pretty good field for an MBA. You know, especially with convoluted tax laws, if you find one loophole you can make your company more money than 12 new products, and it's just very important. Since you only have two years (which I assume means 3 by matriculation) it's maybe a good idea to use your background in your goals (i.e. stay on the legal side of business... like "I want an MBA so I can understand business and become General Counsel).

If you have a good reason then you can write an essay about it (i.e..a sickness in the family, or maybe you working a job at the same time or whatever).. if not, then it might be better to let it slide, and try to make up for it by showing a lovely GMAT.

[Express]

I suppose one of the main reasons i want to study an MBA is to move away from law, not that im anti it just that im more interested in other areas.

But i get what you saying, play to your strengths..

I never thought of tax loopholes as a frequent major player in business, but thinking about it of course it must be.

Yeah i worked throughout my studies, an had to move out and fend for myself at the beginning of my LLB which was a major factor in the drop in marks.

I did a BALLB.

Im hoping that someone will see that as mentally and physically draining as i did.

Thanks again for the advice

[Jon@Admissionado]

Very good. Well now that you have your strategy in place Good luck to you!