From Dr. Shel Watts, https://www.mbaadmit.com
Email: mbaadmit@aol.com
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MBA Admit.com: Proudly, one of the most affordable top-quality MBA admissions consulting companies, with prices nearly 50% lower than our direct competitors.Hi,
You have a great background. As someone who worked in Kenya for a summer during college, I know how life-changing such an experience can be and I can relate to how you may have developed your ideas about how you can use business and business skills to make an impact. You could present a very compelling set of stories to the committee both about your past experiences and about your future goals. You will need to take care, though, that you convey your experiences in business-relevant terms in many parts of your application (essays, resume and recommendations).
Definitely try to prepare well for the GMAT – the higher your score, the more compelling you can be as an applicant. If you score in the 700+ range, you should be in good shape. If you score in the 600-660 arena, you might consider taking it again. Otherwise, depending upon your background, it could limit your business school options.
You did not provide your ethnic background, so I can’t really be more specific than this. Your ethnicity could conceivably impact your outcomes. If you are from an under-represented ethnic background, that could improve your odds. But in general, with a 3.21 GPA you will want to score in the 680+ range on the GMAT to have a great shot at schools like Columbia+.
Best wishes,
Shelly Watts
MBA Admit.comtibbyme wrote:
Hello Dr. Watts!
I would be grateful for some of your insight. I'm currently 23 and looking to apply in 2 years.
I graduated from the University of California-Riverside in 2010 with a GPA of around 3.21 (I fell off the path 3rd quarter of freshman year and spent the next 3 years trying to bring it up). During UG, I studied abroad in Hong Kong for a year and had extracurriculars (swimming for HKUST's swim team, volunteering with the international education center and with the Student Organization for Advising Peers).
During my senior year at UCR, I worked for a small company as an account executive doing pretty much a little bit of everything. I became the only sales person/account executive at my company in my last half year or there and pretty much handled all accounts except for Europe and Asia. I worked at that company for 1 year before switching to my current position, Peace Corps Volunteer in Uganda.
Here in Uganda, I work with a small organization that helps orphans and disabled children. My primary duties right are now creating sustainable income generation activities and helping the organization restructure itself to create a sustainable and efficient management team and leadership system. Eventually, time permitting, we will also focus on expanding the programs offered by the organization.
As I haven't taken the GMAT yet, I can't give you a score. However, I do feel that I should be able to score at least 580-600 as of right now but will be hoping for eventually a 700. But on the off chance that I end up with a score in the 600s, how do you suppose my chances at some of the better MBA schools (Harvard, Duke (and their fellows program), Dartmouth, etc.) and others like Babson would be? I know my mathematical background isn't as strong as many of the other candidates but I was wondering if my experience in Peace Corps would help even my odds. After service, I will have just under 4 years of work experience.
I'd appreciate any advice!
Thank you!
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01 Jan 2012, 11:02
