Please evaluate: 710 GMAT/3.0 GPA

[mbahopeful22]

GMAT: 710 (47Q, 41V, 6AWA)
GPA: 3.03 in Finance from top 10 undergraduate business program (worked at career center and did marketing research)
WE: 4 years (5 at matriculation): 1 year in consumer-IT program (exposure to project mgmt and internal marketing/comms IT); 3 years as a business analyst in technology at top BB bank and promoted in less than 2. Heavily involved in undergraduate recruiting in both positions. Both at "prestigious" firms.
ECs: 2 years volunteer in tutoring/mentoring program aimed at mitigating exposure to violence by providing an alternative after-school haven. Undergrad business club-- led initiative to promote recycling by educating and instilling best practices/forming habits in youth; also involved in firm's 'green' initiative to promote best environmental practices in the office and community. Leadership position at firm's business resource group for women.
Demographic: Asian Female, probably 27 at matriculation

Ideally would like to get into strategy/consulting, with an emphasis on leveraging technology in the consumer/retail sector to drive business. I have exposure/experience in IT/marketing/finance/project management and want to get an MBA to bridge these areas to position me into strategy.

Stretch: Booth, Kellogg, Columbia (early decision?), Berkeley, UPenn
Target?: USC, Tepper, Duke
Safety: ...???

Open to suggestions.

Any thoughts/tips/criticisms would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[mbaMissionJenK]

Hi there,

Thanks for posting! My gut is that overall you have a decent profile, but there are some lingering questions, which you need to address in your applications. The GPA sounds low, keep that in mind, so that means the rest of the application should be as strong as possible. The work experience is probably where you can make a difference (through the essays) and either show or not show what experiences you gained that will make you unique and that you'll bring to the class... right now I feel it's at risk for sounding like many other IT applicants. Try to pull out your unique experiences, and times you went above and beyond, and your passion, and times you experienced or demonstrated leadership or teamwork.

Yes schools are looking for strong female applicants, so that can be a plus, if you can put together the rest of your application in a strong way. Wharton (UPenn) will be quite a reach for sure, especially with your GPA and maybe even GMAT. The others in the top tier of your list are also challenging. In terms of a safety school, maybe look outside the top 15, and look up those known for strategy (just one suggestion).

If you are interested we do offer a free 30 minute consult if you would like to talk through your profile more, just let us know at https://www.mbamission.com/consult.php. Or post back here with q's. Good luck to you!