Evaluation needed. thanks for your help!

[kshin78]

Hi,

I've been thinking about applying to b-school for quite some time now and I finally decided to go after it. I will be taking my GMAT shortly and plan on getting around 700+ or so...hopefully (my practice exams have been around 680-760)

But my main concern is in the GPA and not as strong as others in the work field.

My undergrad GPA: 3.1 (top 25 school) (death in the family, working while attending school)

Work Experience : 6 years as Financial analyst. current role for 3 years at major film studio as a finance manager, received 3 promotions in each year at the current job.
I can get great recommendations from my current boss and from the president of the company from my prior job.

Extra activities include: mentor program for local HS, photography, traveling (backpacked across europe for 4 months last year)

I'd like to apply to Columbia, NYU, Yale, Chicago, UCLA (Part-time)

I understand that part-time programs are less competitive. is that true?

Also, do you think i have a better chance of admission next year? What do you think my overall chances are of getting in?

Please help. Thank you so much!!!

[VP_MBA_Guru]

Hi K,
Thanks for your post. Overall, if you can hit the 700 mark on your GMAT, I think you should be competitive for most of the schools listed below. Chicago might be a stretch, based on your GPA score.

As you probably know, make sure you use the Optional Essay to address your low GPA. This is a great area to address any other weaknesses in your application.

NP

[kshin78]

Thanks for your reply. Yea, i'm studying rigorously to get as high as i can on my GMAT score.

So, do you think part time is much easier to get in or will it matter? (specifically UCLA..)

Also, i spent my first 2 years at community college. Would that go against my application or does it matter? Do i need to send two separate transcripts or combined, finalized copy from my last university?

I really appreciate your input. thanks!

[VP_MBA_Guru]

KShin,

I wouldn't say PT is easier to get into, but the average GMAT/GPA scores for PT programs is usually lower than FT.

Going to a community college for two years will not have a significant impact on your application - just make sure you (again) discuss all of this in your optional essay and explain your situation.

Regarding your chances... as I said before, its is hard to gauge your candidacy based on profile/stats, as much of the decision is based on your essays, LORs, interview. If you have a 700+ GMAT and stellar essays/LORs, then you should be competitive, but again - no guarantee (esp this year, as it will be very competitive).


Regards,

NP