typicalgmatter wrote:
GMAT 610 (taking it again in a few days, hope to improve)
GPA 2.5 ouch! (solid liberal arts college), I have a decent explanation, but this is what keeps me up at night.
Work Ex: currently 4.5+ years, I'd rather not get into it, but I have great leadership experience, great stories, and should look at least decent through essays. Very Unique.
Recommendations: should be solid
Interviews: 1 down, set up many more
Of note: Hispanic male. Co-founded a non profit, cool story.
- Why MBA: I have a very strong management, strategy, operations background. I want to focus on finance to round out my skill set.
- Not at all interested in a part time program.
Do I have any chance at:
UNC
UT Austin
UI kelley
WashSTL
Rochester
Vanderbilt
Wake
Rice
George Wash
Fordham
Could you suggest some safety schools? I don't want to get shut out and denied everywhere.
Any other advice?
THANK YOU!
typicalgmatter,
On the strength of your Hispanic background, I think your odds at UNC and UT Austin are decent/fair. Your odds at UI Kelley, WashSTL, Rochester, Vanderbilt, Wake, Rice, George Wash, and Fordham are good. How good your explanation for the GPA is will be a factor, and of course upping your GMAT would greatly help you cause. Your work and entrepreneurial experience strengthen your profile. I don't think you need to add other schools as safeties, because several of these should come through for you. Being of Hispanic descent is a big asset for you. Just make sure you execute well in the essays in terms of sounding savvy about your post-MBA goals, highlighting leadership and impact, showing some social impact vision through community stories, and subtly but effectively highlighting your Hispanic background. Any socioeconomic obstacles overcome would also enhance your appeal.
Good luck,