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Intern
Joined: 22 Jan 2011
Posts: 11
Given Kudos: 15
Location: PA
Concentration: Marketing; International Business
Schools:Georgetown, GWU, NYU
Just being honest with myself... be as candid as you'd like
[#permalink]
22 Jan 2011, 16:28
22 Jan 2011, 16:28
Hi:
This is my first post and I was thrilled when I found the gmatclub community. I'm looking forward to participating in the discussions.
So, here's my story:
-My undergraduate results were less than stellar; I graduated with a GPA right under a 3.0 from a third-tier school; my grades significantly increased during my junior/senior year; I never failed a class or received a D but I became all too comfortable with B's and C's (shameful, I know)
-During undergrad., I had an internship every semester and summer
-From freshman-senior year, I put in more than 1k volunteer hours
-I held numerous leadership positions in various organizations
-I received four job offers during my senior year - all of which were for leadership programs; I ultimately accepted an offer from a top-tier financial firm in their leadership rotational program
-I've made impressive strides in jump starting my post-grad. career - great reviews/evals., solid experience for two years post-grad.; I've already received a promotion into mid-level management
There you have it. I'm not sure if any of this information is helpful but I thought it best to be as thorough as possible. When the time comes, I plan to apply for top 25 b-schools. Sadly, I did not take academics seriously when I was an undergraduate. Naive as I was, I simply did enough to get by until my senior year. During my senior year, I had a remarkable revelation about my education and future. Now, I'm only hoping that it's not too late for me to make a difference and get the top-notch MBA.
I don't plan to attend b-school until I have at least 5 years of business experience but I'm doing everything that I can to prepare. With that being said, I'm looking for suggestions and feedback: what should I do from here? Any tips on any relevant topics from applications, GMAT, community involvement, etc. are warmly welcomed.
Again, please be as candid as you'd like... I need to hear it. Thanks in advance.
This is my first post and I was thrilled when I found the gmatclub community. I'm looking forward to participating in the discussions.
So, here's my story:
-My undergraduate results were less than stellar; I graduated with a GPA right under a 3.0 from a third-tier school; my grades significantly increased during my junior/senior year; I never failed a class or received a D but I became all too comfortable with B's and C's (shameful, I know)
-During undergrad., I had an internship every semester and summer
-From freshman-senior year, I put in more than 1k volunteer hours
-I held numerous leadership positions in various organizations
-I received four job offers during my senior year - all of which were for leadership programs; I ultimately accepted an offer from a top-tier financial firm in their leadership rotational program
-I've made impressive strides in jump starting my post-grad. career - great reviews/evals., solid experience for two years post-grad.; I've already received a promotion into mid-level management
There you have it. I'm not sure if any of this information is helpful but I thought it best to be as thorough as possible. When the time comes, I plan to apply for top 25 b-schools. Sadly, I did not take academics seriously when I was an undergraduate. Naive as I was, I simply did enough to get by until my senior year. During my senior year, I had a remarkable revelation about my education and future. Now, I'm only hoping that it's not too late for me to make a difference and get the top-notch MBA.
I don't plan to attend b-school until I have at least 5 years of business experience but I'm doing everything that I can to prepare. With that being said, I'm looking for suggestions and feedback: what should I do from here? Any tips on any relevant topics from applications, GMAT, community involvement, etc. are warmly welcomed.
Again, please be as candid as you'd like... I need to hear it. Thanks in advance.
Re: Just being honest with myself... be as candid as you'd like
[#permalink]
24 Jan 2011, 13:04
24 Jan 2011, 13:04
1
Kudos
[quote="bulletproof"]Hi:
I'm not sure how far you are from applying, but two years ago, I had a sub-3.0 GPA from a 3rd tier school and I'll be matriculating to Ross this Fall. There are basically seven parts to the applications: grades, GMAT, work experience, essays, recommendations, interviews, and extracurriculars. The top schools really care about everything, but struggles in one area can be mitigated.
First things first, get the best GMAT score you can. It matters. There are a ton of prep companies out there--research one and use it. I've heard Manhattan is considered the best, but that was after I took the exam. I used Veritas and was generally happy, but the math seemed easier than the math I saw on the actual exam.
I mitigated my weak grades by taking several courses at a local community college and online through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, getting a 4.0. My advice would be to do this over the course of an academic year, focusing on accounting, finance, stats, and maybe a language. Embry Riddle was nice because I could take upper level courses without killing myself trying to attend a physical classroom. This gives you great material for the optional essays talking about your lack of maturity before, but this is who you are today, etc. Your upward trend in GPA also will help. Schools care about who you are today, not who you were 5+ years ago.
For extracurriculars, try to do something, especially if your leadership experience is weak. I'm not sure where your's is, but leading an EC counts as leadership.
Also, I used admissions consulting because I didn't know any MBAs (I'm a military guy). You might want to think about it.
I'm not sure how far you are from applying, but two years ago, I had a sub-3.0 GPA from a 3rd tier school and I'll be matriculating to Ross this Fall. There are basically seven parts to the applications: grades, GMAT, work experience, essays, recommendations, interviews, and extracurriculars. The top schools really care about everything, but struggles in one area can be mitigated.
First things first, get the best GMAT score you can. It matters. There are a ton of prep companies out there--research one and use it. I've heard Manhattan is considered the best, but that was after I took the exam. I used Veritas and was generally happy, but the math seemed easier than the math I saw on the actual exam.
I mitigated my weak grades by taking several courses at a local community college and online through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, getting a 4.0. My advice would be to do this over the course of an academic year, focusing on accounting, finance, stats, and maybe a language. Embry Riddle was nice because I could take upper level courses without killing myself trying to attend a physical classroom. This gives you great material for the optional essays talking about your lack of maturity before, but this is who you are today, etc. Your upward trend in GPA also will help. Schools care about who you are today, not who you were 5+ years ago.
For extracurriculars, try to do something, especially if your leadership experience is weak. I'm not sure where your's is, but leading an EC counts as leadership.
Also, I used admissions consulting because I didn't know any MBAs (I'm a military guy). You might want to think about it.
Intern
Joined: 22 Jan 2011
Posts: 11
Given Kudos: 15
Location: PA
Concentration: Marketing; International Business
Schools:Georgetown, GWU, NYU
Re: Just being honest with myself... be as candid as you'd like
[#permalink]
24 Jan 2011, 18:22
24 Jan 2011, 18:22
Piggles - thanks so much for the response. Very helpful and encouraging.
I plan to apply in 2013 for first rounds and enter in fall of 2014. I know this is far out but I am doing everything that I can to prepare early.
I am ordering the Manhattan GMAT strategy guides, tonight. I've read great reviews for them. I got a 570 on my first GMAT attempt but I took them during my senior finals (thinking back, I'm not sure why I chose to do so). I feel confident that I can get a 650+ after I really put the focus and study time that the GMAT requires.
I think that for my age, I have pretty good leadership experience - I've already managed a group of 12 associates. This gave me the opportunity to really show my leadership style and guide a team through significant resource changes. So, as you've said, I think this will help. I'm also looking for volunteer opportunities - I want to volunteer for something that I'm really passionate about.
Lastly, I will look more into admissions consulting - I think it's a great idea.
Again, thanks so much for your time in responding. Cheers!
I plan to apply in 2013 for first rounds and enter in fall of 2014. I know this is far out but I am doing everything that I can to prepare early.
I am ordering the Manhattan GMAT strategy guides, tonight. I've read great reviews for them. I got a 570 on my first GMAT attempt but I took them during my senior finals (thinking back, I'm not sure why I chose to do so). I feel confident that I can get a 650+ after I really put the focus and study time that the GMAT requires.
I think that for my age, I have pretty good leadership experience - I've already managed a group of 12 associates. This gave me the opportunity to really show my leadership style and guide a team through significant resource changes. So, as you've said, I think this will help. I'm also looking for volunteer opportunities - I want to volunteer for something that I'm really passionate about.
Lastly, I will look more into admissions consulting - I think it's a great idea.
Again, thanks so much for your time in responding. Cheers!
