Low GMAT, Low GPA - helping you catch a break on your application (Part 1)
Time to answer a couple more MBA applicant questions. If you have a low GMAT or GPA, don't despair. There are always options, alternatives and remedies. The important thing is to keep going, put in your best, and you will eventually make it.
Applicant:
Software professional with 5 years of work experience.
Undergraduate degree: Electrical Engineering (India), ~70% -First Class
Master's degree: Electrical Engineering (US), 2.9 GPA
Career goal: Launch consulting start-up for tech companies
Concentration: Entrepreneurship
1.What are my chances of getting into top business schools?
2.What should be the minimum GMAT Score I should be targeting?
3.Will my work experience be counted in my MBA applicant profile?
My MBA Admit:
Every application is evaluated from three perspectives - academic, professional and personal.
In your case, the academic scores are a weakness. In order to compensate,the other components of your application should be as strong as possible. Your GMAT score should be as high as you can get it, with a minimum of low 700s. Not only will this help you to compensate for your low undergraduate and graduate GPA but will allow you to stay in the range for your profile (Indian, engineering background), since thetypical Asian engineer scores higher than the average MBA applicant.
Regarding your chances of getting into top schools, I would target the top 25,versus the top 10. You can improve your candidacy by targeting your application to the school that specializes in your career goals. For example, I recently worked with an University of Texas applicant - although this school is not in the top 10, it has a strong entrepreneurship bent which was ideal for his plans to grow his own business while being able to return to his home state of Texas. The more compelling reasons you give for attending a school, the better are your chances.
About your work experience, it does count but you will have to ensure that the examples you give in your essay as well as achievements you relate in your resume are tailored to the MBA program and your future career goals to ease the decision of the Admission Committee.
At My MBA Admit, we specialize in selecting the right MBA programs for the candidate, including only those attributes and experiences that showcase the best fit and critiquing the resume to be a strong component of your application instead of a list of everything that you have done so far.
Feel free to drop us a line at mbaconsult@mymbaadmit.com to discuss your application further.
Applicant:
Software professional with 5 years of work experience.
Undergraduate degree: Electrical Engineering (India), ~70% -First Class
Master's degree: Electrical Engineering (US), 2.9 GPA
Career goal: Launch consulting start-up for tech companies
Concentration: Entrepreneurship
1.What are my chances of getting into top business schools?
2.What should be the minimum GMAT Score I should be targeting?
3.Will my work experience be counted in my MBA applicant profile?
My MBA Admit:
Every application is evaluated from three perspectives - academic, professional and personal.
In your case, the academic scores are a weakness. In order to compensate,the other components of your application should be as strong as possible. Your GMAT score should be as high as you can get it, with a minimum of low 700s. Not only will this help you to compensate for your low undergraduate and graduate GPA but will allow you to stay in the range for your profile (Indian, engineering background), since thetypical Asian engineer scores higher than the average MBA applicant.
Regarding your chances of getting into top schools, I would target the top 25,versus the top 10. You can improve your candidacy by targeting your application to the school that specializes in your career goals. For example, I recently worked with an University of Texas applicant - although this school is not in the top 10, it has a strong entrepreneurship bent which was ideal for his plans to grow his own business while being able to return to his home state of Texas. The more compelling reasons you give for attending a school, the better are your chances.
About your work experience, it does count but you will have to ensure that the examples you give in your essay as well as achievements you relate in your resume are tailored to the MBA program and your future career goals to ease the decision of the Admission Committee.
At My MBA Admit, we specialize in selecting the right MBA programs for the candidate, including only those attributes and experiences that showcase the best fit and critiquing the resume to be a strong component of your application instead of a list of everything that you have done so far.
Feel free to drop us a line at mbaconsult@mymbaadmit.com to discuss your application further.
Posted by My MBA Admit at January 29, 2010 
Categories: Business Schools, GPA, MBA Admissions, GMAT, MBA Admissions Consulting
Tags: Academics GPA MBA Admissions MS Admissions GMAT
Categories: Business Schools, GPA, MBA Admissions, GMAT, MBA Admissions Consulting
Tags: Academics GPA MBA Admissions MS Admissions GMAT
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