If your GPA was average for your class that would mean you are in the 60th to 40th percentile in terms of class rank - that is not so bad. Your GMAT is very strong and I think that the 3 classes you took are sufficient to act as an alternative transcript.
You need to move beyond the GPA. If you apply this September you'll have 4 years of work experience when you begin your MBA - and 4 years is the sweet spot employers are looking for. Your extracurricular activities look decent/strong on the surface. I'd suggest you apply this year. You said that one of your big achievements at work was participating in a $800k contract - I'm wondering where you work and if your role is continually evolving or if you've settled into a routine. Are there any must-not-be-missed projects on the horizon in the next 24 months, such that you can't start an MBA till September 2017? If your employer is anything less than gold-standard, staying there less time, rather than more is going to be the way to go.
I'm always happy to jump on a call and discuss further.
Best,
Leah
Quote:
I realized my GPA is going to greatly hurt my chances, I am wondering if I should bother with applying to the top 10 programs? The ones I specifically want to get in are NYU and Columbia. And what are my chances for schools in the 10-25 range? The ones I am particularly interested in are Cornell, UCLA, and USC.
UG: Engineering at a top Canadian school. I don't have any other explanation for my low gpa besides the fact I was not interested in my program at all and as a result I slacked off. Our class average was also low. In a couple of first and second year courses our class average was C- or D. 2.6 is not a "bad" gpa coming out from our program, but it is a very average one.
Post-grad courses: took 3 classes after undergrad at a different university, Formal Logic, Marketing and Macroeconomics. Got A in all of them.
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Ethnicity & Citizenship: Asian, Canadian
WE: 3 years by Sept 2015. Technology Consulting. Was recognized company wide for playing a crucial part in winning a $800,000 contract
Extra-curricular involvement: I am on the executive board of the local riding association of a major provincial political party. I am also a Public Relations Manager for a local NPO that organizes career development conferences for university students and young graduates.
I am thinking of waiting for another year to apply (take more courses to build an alternative transcript, hopefully get a promotion at work or switch to a brand name company). If I did not get in this year, will it hurt my chances of re-applying next year?
Any admission consultants that have worked with applicants like myself feel free to leave your comments here or PM me. I am considering hiring one.
Thanks!
EDIT: for GMAT, my V/Q is 44/51, IR is 8, yet to hear back for the AWA score but I think it should be at least 5.