Low GPA but High GMAT- Advice on Admissions??

[boydfink2005]

I graduated from Nicholls State University in August 2010 with a 2.42 GPA (or maybe a little higher, but below a 2.5, can't remember off the top of my head) and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. I also had to repeat a few courses because I failed to achieve a C on the first attempt. I am even currently in the process of retaking an economics course to improve my grade but am well on my way to achieving an A or a high B in that course. I have no mitigating circumstances for the low GPA for schools to take into consideration.

After speaking with the people in the graduate school at the University of New Orleans and being urged to apply even after giving a less detailed explanation of my situation, I applied to their Masters in Accounting program in October(for the spring 2013 semester) but got rejected, which I believe was based on the low GPA and the fact that I had not taken the GMAT at the time.

I took the GMAT about a week ago and got an unofficial score of 680, which is higher than the average score for many top MBA programs. Prior to taking the GMAT, I only applied to UNO, because I believed that that would be the only program I had a chance of getting into with my low GPA. Their requirement for admission with an inferior GPA was based on a formula, which amounted to me needing between a 560-580 to meet the requirements. My high GMAT score gave me new hope and has me considering applying to more schools for the Summer 2013 semester. I know my low GPA will require me to be admitted on probation anywhere I go but I am willing to work with that if given the chance.

All things considered, what are my chances of getting into a program for the Summer? How can I improve these chances? What can I do to show that my low undergrad GPA was merely a result of immaturity and that I have re-dedicated myself? Any advice, help, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

[machichi]

How many years out of college are you? It's not as easy to throw aside a poor GPA if you graduated in the past two years or so. Did you show improvement each year in your GPA? Do you have time to take a class next semester? You probably should develop an alternative transcript; just be sure to get that A.

Are you applying again to Masters in Accounting or an MBA? I'm not sure what programs you're asking for us to recommend for.

[boydfink2005]

I'm looking to apply for a Masters in Accounting, but would also be willing to look into MBA programs. I'm not choosy about where I want to go, I just want to look into schools who will take a chance on me. I know my chances are slim for getting into top schools but I just want to be given the opportunity to go to graduate school.

As stated in the original post, I graduated in August 2010, so it's been slightly over two years. As far as improvement, my GPA went kind of up and down by the semesters, however, for what its worth, for each business class in which I failed to achieve a C, not including the one I am currently retaking, I did manage to pull off a B on the second attempt. As far as taking a class next semester and developing an alternative transcript goes, what do you recommend I take?

Shortly after posting this, I learned that the fact that I have ADHD may be a mitigating circumstance. While it was certainly encouraging, I understand it can only get me so far in being considered.

Source:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/07/ ... 10-schools

[money9111]

# of years out of school is important but doesn't negate the fact that you have a low GPA. It would just mean that you would have to implore a different strategy in your essays.

Also, can you find out if it's definitely below a 2.5? That makes a big deal as that's usually the cut-off. I do know of people who got into schools with lower than a 2.5 but thats rare depending on the schools you are targeting.

[gtg279v]

Take a look at the schools you intent to apply to. All of the schools that I am applying for look at either 1) last 60 or so hours, or 2) Junior & Senior level courses, only.

For example:

I have a 2.96 GPA but, according to my recalculated GPA, I have a 3.45 in one program, and a 3.5 as evaluated by another.