How competitive am I? Non-traditional applicant, RPCV

Question

Here’s my rundown: 25, white female from the rural Midwest. Undergraduate at upper tier private liberal arts college but lackluster GPA (3.33). I was a little unfocused during college, but I finished as a political science and management major . Since college most of my internship experience has been in the government and non-profit sector doing community and economic development work. Just got back from the Peace Corps and now I’m looking for what’s next. Here are the known’s:
1. I want to go to business school so I can start my own socially oriented-business in a developing country. Looking at programs that have either a have a concentrations or dual options in that cover entrepreneurship, sustainability and natural resource management.
2. I know I am weak on quantitative so I have been retaking/taking economics and math courses (and getting A’s). I have a gmat score of 680.
3. Planning on deferring school to get more work experience, currently applying to a lot of international development consulting firms but also some entry level business analyst/development type roles
.
Question: How competitive am I? Is waiting to get more experience the right move? Since I am going to business school regardless, how high should I reach? Obviously, I would like to get into the best school I can.

I would appreciate any insight you could provide. Thank you very much!

bakfed · Answer

Is waiting to get more exp good? That's a good question and I think a lot of it has to do with your achievement with the Peace Corp. The rule of thumb is to apply when you think you're ready. B-schools are a lot differnet from undergrad. B-schools require you to be able to speak your mind and discuss openly on cases, theories, and experiences. Unlike undergrad, b-schools take in all sorts of different types of people, in search for a well-rounded class. Your GPA isn't bad, and your GMAT is certainly good. I think a good question is to ask yourself where you're targeting. If you absolutely don't care, with your current stat, I would say in the top 15-25 range. Your GMAT score will be somewhat of a handicap at the very top schools, where the average is 710-725. And with hte top schools, average GPA tends to be about 3.4-3.6.

FutureWorks · Answer

Hello

Assuming you are aiming for top schools then a score above 700 is desirable. A higher GMAT score is advisable if you are aiming for top institutes abroad. Also the GMAT alone won’t determine your chances of admission; your work experience plays a vital role as well. You need to ensure that academically you are in a good position.

However it is not just the academics but beyond the academics that will help you in determining your candidature.

Do highlight your work experience to tell what you did there like-what were your achievements, what initiative you took, what changes you drove in your workplace etc. So if you can show that in terms of work that you have demonstrated the skills business schools are looking for you could still put in a strong set of essays. Also make sure in your work what you did there like-what were your achievements, what initiative you took, what changes you drove in your workplace etc are exhibited well in your application.

Make sure you follow the ‘show rather than tell’ principle so that the admissions committee could really understand your strengths and differentiating factors.”

How competitive am I? Non-traditional applicant, RPCV

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