Back story:
Academic:
I started my undergrad degree in Computer Science at Purdue University (both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses). However, I was working full time and then started a web development company which I later sold. Because of that I didn't really go to class and didn't really care about college, but stayed in because it was important to my family. Eventually I stopped because I was just wasting my money on classes that I didn't attend. When I left my GPA was 2.40.
A couple years later (being almost three years after leaving school) I decided that I wanted my MBA so I went back to finish my degree part time at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I'll have taken 32 credit hours over four semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall) with a 3.56 GPA. I graduate this December. My major is Math and most of these classes have been upper-level Math classes. By the time I graduate, my overall GPA should be up to a 2.68 (It's at a 2.60 right now). It's horrible, but I think that my more recent classes show that I am capable of exceeding academically. Also, I have severe ADHD which was untreated earlier in my college career, but is taken care of now. However, I am planning on not mentioning this.
Professional:
I sold the company that I had started in order to learn more about other companies before starting my own (I will have the guy who bought the company from me write one of my recommendation letters and my current boss write the other). I worked as an independent software contractor for a few years, working at companies of all sizes. Eventually I became the Director of IT at a smallish asset management web company. By the time I apply, I'll have been at Director level for about two and half years with six years total work experience and will be 27 years old.
My strength is my professional experience for sure--partially coupled with the fact that I have obtained a six-figure salary sans any degree, alluding to the fact that with an MBA I'd be even more competitive.
Extra-circular:
I am on the Corporate Relations Committee for the Junior League of Chicago and also hold a Leadership position as a "counselor" for new members. I participate in a few other local young professional networking groups and am a Prospective Member of the Lincoln Park Zoo Auxiliary Board. I am married and also working on a novel.
Future Ambitions:
Rather than owning my own pond, I would rather be a big fish in a big pond--meaning, I'd rather work as part of a large, global organization in a leadership capacity. Because of this I am interested in getting into management consulting in the technology space to help organizations learn to leverage their team and resources to obtain more reliable software and hardware solutions.
I want to go to either Kellogg at Northwestern or Booth at University of Chicago. I do not think that other programs in the area would be able to offer a reasonable ROI. I am Chicago based and would do the part-time program.
Two questions:
I can get either a BS or a BA in Math. My school offers both and I have met the requirements for both so is up to me to chose which I want the degree to say. Which would be better?
Given my poor GPA, what's the minimum GMAT that I need in order to be competitive? I was thinking 730. Does that sound right? Is it too low to sufficiently show that I am capable of succeeding the program despite my GPA?
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate any thoughts.
Academic:
I started my undergrad degree in Computer Science at Purdue University (both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses). However, I was working full time and then started a web development company which I later sold. Because of that I didn't really go to class and didn't really care about college, but stayed in because it was important to my family. Eventually I stopped because I was just wasting my money on classes that I didn't attend. When I left my GPA was 2.40.
A couple years later (being almost three years after leaving school) I decided that I wanted my MBA so I went back to finish my degree part time at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I'll have taken 32 credit hours over four semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall) with a 3.56 GPA. I graduate this December. My major is Math and most of these classes have been upper-level Math classes. By the time I graduate, my overall GPA should be up to a 2.68 (It's at a 2.60 right now). It's horrible, but I think that my more recent classes show that I am capable of exceeding academically. Also, I have severe ADHD which was untreated earlier in my college career, but is taken care of now. However, I am planning on not mentioning this.
Professional:
I sold the company that I had started in order to learn more about other companies before starting my own (I will have the guy who bought the company from me write one of my recommendation letters and my current boss write the other). I worked as an independent software contractor for a few years, working at companies of all sizes. Eventually I became the Director of IT at a smallish asset management web company. By the time I apply, I'll have been at Director level for about two and half years with six years total work experience and will be 27 years old.
My strength is my professional experience for sure--partially coupled with the fact that I have obtained a six-figure salary sans any degree, alluding to the fact that with an MBA I'd be even more competitive.
Extra-circular:
I am on the Corporate Relations Committee for the Junior League of Chicago and also hold a Leadership position as a "counselor" for new members. I participate in a few other local young professional networking groups and am a Prospective Member of the Lincoln Park Zoo Auxiliary Board. I am married and also working on a novel.
Future Ambitions:
Rather than owning my own pond, I would rather be a big fish in a big pond--meaning, I'd rather work as part of a large, global organization in a leadership capacity. Because of this I am interested in getting into management consulting in the technology space to help organizations learn to leverage their team and resources to obtain more reliable software and hardware solutions.
I want to go to either Kellogg at Northwestern or Booth at University of Chicago. I do not think that other programs in the area would be able to offer a reasonable ROI. I am Chicago based and would do the part-time program.
Two questions:
I can get either a BS or a BA in Math. My school offers both and I have met the requirements for both so is up to me to chose which I want the degree to say. Which would be better?
Given my poor GPA, what's the minimum GMAT that I need in order to be competitive? I was thinking 730. Does that sound right? Is it too low to sufficiently show that I am capable of succeeding the program despite my GPA?
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate any thoughts.
