dw6586 wrote:
Hi, I'm applying for MBA programs this year and have been digging around to see what programs I have a good chance at getting into. My aim is for a top 15 MBA program, but my low GPA is a concern.
A little bit of history, my overall GPA is a 2.96. This is due to being a pre-med for 3 years in my undergrad. It wasn't until my third year as an undergrad that I decided medicine wasn't for me (chose pre-med mainly due to family pressures, etc), I wanted to pursue business. My major is in Psychology, and my major GPA is actually a 3.65, much more credible. All the pre-med courses: chemistry, biochem, organic chem, etc.. weighed down my overall GPA.
GMAT : 710 92%
V40 90%
Q43 73%
B.S. Psychology, Cornell University
overall GPA: 2.96
major GPA : 3.65
4 years work experience: Foreign Exchange Broker at a top global financial brokerage firm
Extracurriculars: President and Vice President of Student Greek Council in Univ.
What're my chances of getting into a top 15 B-school and what should me stretch/match/saftey schools be? I'm highly interested in Kellogg, Haas, and Stern. Specifically looking into general management. And I don't know if it makes a difference, but i'm an asian american female.
Give your target programs, I have a few suggestions for you:
1) Take some quant classes and earn A's It's not enough to say that your were taking premed classes and they brought down your GPA. You want to show that you can do well in business related classes. Take classes like statistics for business, accounting, economics, and calculus (if you didn't have or didn't do well in it earlier.) Earning As in these classes will show the schools you do know how to excel in business-related courses, even if pre-med wasn't for you, and they may help address concerns some may have about your quant score.
2) consider retaking the GMAT. I'm not saying its mandatory, but given your GPA, it may help.
Currently Kellogg, Haas, and Stern are stretch programs. Consider USC, UT Austin, Cornell, Georgetown, Darden, Yale, and Duke for programs where you would be more competitive.
Best,
Linda
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Linda Abraham
Accepted.com
labraham@accepted.com
310-815-9553
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