please help!!

[navjotk]

Hi,
I am new to this forum but just wanted to get some input on how my profile looks and whether I stand a chance at one of the top 20 business schools or not. I am currently pursuing a double major in Political Science and Political Economy of Industrial societies at UC Berkeley, My GPA is 3.2/4.0 but hopefully it'll get better by the time I graduate (may 2009). I have been working since I have been in college and I am working even now, other then that I don't have any real extracurricular activities, I know it requires work experience so I am currently looking for a job but its hard to find a job because of the economy and also because my background is not that strong. I don't know about the GMAT yet, any suggestions anyone?
I would greatly appreciate all suggestions.
Thank you

[Graham]

Dear Navjotk,

It's great to see that you are thinkng ahead in terms of application to a top MBA program. Here are my quick thoughts:

1. The fact that you will graduate from a top-tier school like Berkeley is a definite plus. Your GPA of 3.2 is a bit low, so anything you can do to boost it this academic year would be very helpful. Top-10 b-schools often have an average GPA (for admitted students) of about 3.5.

2. It was unclear from your message if you are hoping to go to business school immediately following undergrad. If that is the case, your options are limited, since most MBA programs require (or at least strongly prefer) applicants who have at least a year of post-collegiate, full-time work experience. In fact, the average amount of work experience for a student entering a top-tier b-school is more than 4 years. Having said that, there are a handful of top schools that open their admissions process to college seniors (Stanford is one that comes to mind), but the bar is typically set incredibly high for this group (great internships/work exp., stellar academics, leadership experience, etc).

3. I find it hard to believe that you have absolutely zero outside activities in college. Do you play sports? Belong to any clubs? Organize any campus events? Perhaps you are working full or part-time to pay for school - which would clearly curtail your ability to pursue activities? In any event, I'd try to participate a bit more during your senior year if possible.

4. Your best plan is likely to focus on finding employment post-college, work for a couple of years and then apply to b-school. Have you met with the career services office at Berkeley? While the markets are clearly in a state of flux, US unemployment is still less than 7%. There are certainly jobs out there. You may just need to cast a wider net, avail yourself of on-campus services and tap the Berkeley network.

5. Consider taking the GMAT this spring, while your academic mind is still fresh. Your score is good for several years, so it can be a nice task to get out of the way early on.

Best of luck,

Graham

[navjotk]

Yes, you are right I do work part time but i feel like that doesn't count for anything really because everything is so competitive nowadays. I am worried about getting a job post graduation as well because I have applied to many consulting firms and I have been rejected, if you could suggest something I should look for. I went to the career center and all they really said was "just apply it'll be ok, you'll find something" which I thought was of no help but my job search is still going on.
In terms of GPA, I am trying to bring it up so we'll see what happens there, I am planning to take the GMAT in February if I don't get a job offer so I can apply to Masters in Accounting program in the Spring at San Jose State. I am just really stressed out and frustrated because I keep getting all these "not invited" to interview e mails so its kind of disheartening.
In terms of going to business school right away, I know that is out of the question so I think I will work for at least 3 years if not more.

[navjotk]

can someone suggest companies to look for jobs because I am having the toughest time, perhaps I am not looking at the right ones? My background is in Political economy, I don't even know what companies are appropriate to apply to before I go to business school since i need relevant experience