Please advise me

Question

Although I have seen this query being answered couple of times, still I need a personal advise. 

I am a media professional working with a broadcast channel in Mumbai India applying for the fall 2007 admissions. Total work ex- 4 years.I met a few shools in world MBA tour and finally got down to only one in US- Pepperdine. The interview with them went well here and I am finishing the application process. 
However my Bachelor's in Arts percentage (in India we do not have GPA) is really low(49 %). Now I am gunning for a good GMAT score to offset my bad GPA. Somwhere close to 680-700 is achievable. 
Pepperdine also said that there will be scholarship on a good GMAT score but during the interview, the GPA question never came up. Nor is it there in the essays. What should I do?
Should I write a seperate essay to explain my situation? Or will a good GMAT score automatically do it? Am I being over-ambitious with my kind of GPA?
Please Advise.

jayy178 · Answer

hey there. i would address your GPA in the optional essay. I can tell you right now that if you have a great GMAT 700+, you will probably get in. My friend who received a 730 GMAT got a full scholarship to Pepperdine and he had a low GPA (2.4). Pepperdine is trying very hard to increase their GMAT scores statistics. I don't think youll have a problem getting in if you score well on the GMAT.

sumeetmalik · Answer

Good to know that there exists such a case! I also got the feeling that Pepperdine is looking for high GMAT scorers. Well, I think its time to hit the GMAT books and forums then. 
The optional essay is BTW for foriegn work experience, if any. I guess there is no other way for me but to sincerely work for a GMAT score and address the question of low GPA, if asked. Or should I add another an essay without asking them? 
Thanks a lot for this info. God Bless you! If I get in I will certainly raise a toast to this.

PaulBodine · Answer

Sumeet,

I concur with the other poster that a near 700 GMAT will surely get you in at Pepperdine. If you want a scholarship too, then aim for as high a GMAT as possible. If there are specific reasons for the low GPA, and especially if those reasons involve needing to work full-time or circumstances outside of your control, then go ahead and mention them *briefly* in a separate addendum. You don't need to give them a full-fledged essay. Keep it short and sweet. If you really don't have specific reasons for the GPA other than "focus," "maturity," etc. then don't bother explaining.

Good luck,

sumeetmalik · Answer

Paul,

Thanks a lot for answering. My low GPA has the usual reasons so I guess I will just live with it. My only concern is that I am an Arts gradute that too from a University where the GPAs are anyways low. I hope they are aware of this.

Sumeet

PaulBodine · Answer

Sumeet, 

You should be fine. Best of luck.

sumeetmalik · Answer

Dear Paul (and jayy178),

I took GMAT last week and got 690. Although I was hoping for a 700+ but time is running for me to apply this year. I have sent the score to Pepperdine and the initial response looks good. Now the wait is for their offer. 

Thanks a lot for your advice at a crunch time when I was really struggling to find an answer to my situation. Without your assurance I would not have been able to concentrate so much on GMAT.

Regards,

Sumeet

PaulBodine · Answer

Sumeet,

Congratulations and good luck. They should be thankful to get you. They have a beautiful campus...

Please advise me

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards