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06 Jun 2010, 10:24
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi I actually just discovered this forum but I thought I'd take advantage of its resources and have some questions answered.
Male 24 years old.
Naturalized Asian American
Bachelor in Economics from Villanova University.
Along with East Asian Studies Concentration as well as Chinese Language, Communication and Writing & Rhetoric Minors
GPA 2.7 ( I know, don't laugh
)
GMAT Score - TBD (I took it cold and got 560 but hoping/aiming for 700 or above after intense summer preparation)
Work Experience
--------------
I have been working since I was 14 years old but with internship experience with 3 different companies/institutions.
1. Market Internship with a local magazine agency
2. Business Operations Internship with a large international pharmaceuticals company
3. Public Relations Internship with a top 3 school district in the tri-state area.
4. Worked with the NJ State Police and FBI when I was a sophomore.
5. Worked for the PA Dept of Agriculture when I was a sophomore.
6. Currently doing charity/non-profit work along with random stuff to keep my boat float and trying to use it to boost my admissions chances.
Extracurriculars
-------------
1. Sigma Nu fraternity philanthropy officer/LEAD program
2. Big Brothers & Big Sisters
3. Habitat for Humanity
4. Was awarded the Pennsylvania participation award when I was in HS by congresswoman Lita Indzel Cohen for participation and contribution to charitable causes.
5. Participated in the OΔΕ International Economics Honor Society Conference.
Life story (Maybe the admissions staff can understand tough life can affect GPA?)
-------------
1. Was from a single parent family in poverty (I was on financial aid throughout high school and college)
2. I worked to get my family extra income since I was legal to work at 14. Worked 2-3 jobs every summer and worked full time even when I was enrolled full time at school.
3. Did not speak English when I immigrated when I was 13 and struggled with English throughout high school. (Did ok on SATs with 1310/1600 with 660 math and 650 verbal)
Why I want an MBA
----------------
I am not interested in career changing MBA programs such as Executive MBAs, I am more interested in life changing MBA programs such as the top tier ones like NYU, HBS, if they can give me an opportunity.
I really appreciate Villanova for giving me the opportunity for undergrad as their financial aid program as well as the commuter scholarship program helped me a lot to keep the cost down to basically the bare minimum.
I wouldnt mind swinging for broke for Early Decision or Early Action either
------------
I am interested in what I need to aim for on the GMAT to I guess persuade the admissions staff that my GPA does not properly represent me as an intelligent individual and as a scholar.
Also interested on if my profile can compete with the "blue chip" students who were well fed and well garnished all their lives. I suspect if they apply, they'd most likely bring high GPA, high GMAT scores along with Goldman Sachs/Morgan Stanley internships/entry level jobs. I can understand why they'd choose the ideal "blue chip" candidate over me, but that doesnt stop me from trying to persuade them. If you were an admissions officer would you root for an upset?
Inputs on how I can spin my admissions essay to show my strengths and explain my GPA culprit would be awesome as well... Well, any kind of input or advice would be great
Thank you in advance
Male 24 years old.
Naturalized Asian American
Bachelor in Economics from Villanova University.
Along with East Asian Studies Concentration as well as Chinese Language, Communication and Writing & Rhetoric Minors
GPA 2.7 ( I know, don't laugh
)GMAT Score - TBD (I took it cold and got 560 but hoping/aiming for 700 or above after intense summer preparation)
Work Experience
--------------
I have been working since I was 14 years old but with internship experience with 3 different companies/institutions.
1. Market Internship with a local magazine agency
2. Business Operations Internship with a large international pharmaceuticals company
3. Public Relations Internship with a top 3 school district in the tri-state area.
4. Worked with the NJ State Police and FBI when I was a sophomore.
5. Worked for the PA Dept of Agriculture when I was a sophomore.
6. Currently doing charity/non-profit work along with random stuff to keep my boat float and trying to use it to boost my admissions chances.
Extracurriculars
-------------
1. Sigma Nu fraternity philanthropy officer/LEAD program
2. Big Brothers & Big Sisters
3. Habitat for Humanity
4. Was awarded the Pennsylvania participation award when I was in HS by congresswoman Lita Indzel Cohen for participation and contribution to charitable causes.
5. Participated in the OΔΕ International Economics Honor Society Conference.
Life story (Maybe the admissions staff can understand tough life can affect GPA?)
-------------
1. Was from a single parent family in poverty (I was on financial aid throughout high school and college)
2. I worked to get my family extra income since I was legal to work at 14. Worked 2-3 jobs every summer and worked full time even when I was enrolled full time at school.
3. Did not speak English when I immigrated when I was 13 and struggled with English throughout high school. (Did ok on SATs with 1310/1600 with 660 math and 650 verbal)
Why I want an MBA
----------------
I am not interested in career changing MBA programs such as Executive MBAs, I am more interested in life changing MBA programs such as the top tier ones like NYU, HBS, if they can give me an opportunity.
I really appreciate Villanova for giving me the opportunity for undergrad as their financial aid program as well as the commuter scholarship program helped me a lot to keep the cost down to basically the bare minimum.
I wouldnt mind swinging for broke for Early Decision or Early Action either
------------
I am interested in what I need to aim for on the GMAT to I guess persuade the admissions staff that my GPA does not properly represent me as an intelligent individual and as a scholar.
Also interested on if my profile can compete with the "blue chip" students who were well fed and well garnished all their lives. I suspect if they apply, they'd most likely bring high GPA, high GMAT scores along with Goldman Sachs/Morgan Stanley internships/entry level jobs. I can understand why they'd choose the ideal "blue chip" candidate over me, but that doesnt stop me from trying to persuade them. If you were an admissions officer would you root for an upset?
Inputs on how I can spin my admissions essay to show my strengths and explain my GPA culprit would be awesome as well... Well, any kind of input or advice would be great
Thank you in advance
07 Jun 2010, 07:08
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hey,
I'm very much in the same boat as you regarding numbers and I wish you the best of luck. To be completely honest no admissions consultant is going to say you have a chance at HBs. NYU is also a stretch. Having said that anything is possible. Your very young how about building an alternative transcript? I took 4 business classes and got As. While that doesn't help your undergrad gpa it shows the admissions committee that you can handle the course load now. Because of your age your gpa is going to be weighed more, I'm 27 so It won't matter as much as yours. Look into an alternative transcript. Just google that phrase.
Having said all that I know people who have gotten into great schools with well below average gpas, there are many on is board. There is indeed one factor the have in common, a very high GMAT. 720 min.
Even if you get a 710 your still below HBS' average. Don't kill you self trying to get to hbs. If you work hard over the next year, take some classes and kill the GMAT you will have a chance and some great schools. Your story is good but there are people with worse storys who have great numbers. Be realistic but ambitious you have work now to figure it out. I believe any schools is within reach if you shape your self as a great candidate, thing is that may not happen in a year or even two or three. Avg age for business school is 28 with 5 years work experience.
Good luck
I'm very much in the same boat as you regarding numbers and I wish you the best of luck. To be completely honest no admissions consultant is going to say you have a chance at HBs. NYU is also a stretch. Having said that anything is possible. Your very young how about building an alternative transcript? I took 4 business classes and got As. While that doesn't help your undergrad gpa it shows the admissions committee that you can handle the course load now. Because of your age your gpa is going to be weighed more, I'm 27 so It won't matter as much as yours. Look into an alternative transcript. Just google that phrase.
Having said all that I know people who have gotten into great schools with well below average gpas, there are many on is board. There is indeed one factor the have in common, a very high GMAT. 720 min.
Even if you get a 710 your still below HBS' average. Don't kill you self trying to get to hbs. If you work hard over the next year, take some classes and kill the GMAT you will have a chance and some great schools. Your story is good but there are people with worse storys who have great numbers. Be realistic but ambitious you have work now to figure it out. I believe any schools is within reach if you shape your self as a great candidate, thing is that may not happen in a year or even two or three. Avg age for business school is 28 with 5 years work experience.
Good luck
07 Jun 2010, 07:38
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for your reply but, as you probably have read that there are fresh out friendly mba programs so with those programs work experience is less of a factor.
I have a different application and goal than you have as we have different levels of work experience. Also, you could benefit from career changing mba programs while those programs wouldn't do me any good.
Another thing is the GPA situation was really not the standard college GPA slump caused by pounding beers everything until the break of dawn. Its caused by the economics situation. Either work full time while going to school or have no money and not going to school. So, its not a case of user error.
I have a different application and goal than you have as we have different levels of work experience. Also, you could benefit from career changing mba programs while those programs wouldn't do me any good.
Another thing is the GPA situation was really not the standard college GPA slump caused by pounding beers everything until the break of dawn. Its caused by the economics situation. Either work full time while going to school or have no money and not going to school. So, its not a case of user error.
