Please provide a general assessment of my current situation

Question

Beware, long read ahead. Thank you beforehand for any help and advice.

I graduated from Purdue University in May of 2009 with a degree in Industrial Management. The degree is part of the Krannert business school, but it incorporates engineering level Math and Science classes in your first two years to develop a more quantitative and analytical-based mindset for upper level Management classes. My overall GPA was a 3.1 at Purdue. Ultimately I feel this is the biggest bottleneck I will have for my MBA apps.

After graduating, I worked at a very small company called StaiArt for two years. Because of the size of the company, my duties and functions were very multi-department based. Although my official position was Product Consultant and Sales Assistant, my duties also included marketing, quality control, and helping with the manufacturing and supply-chain. I feel like my responsibilities were all over the place. Although I did the job well and the vice President of the company will be one of the people I will ask for one of my reccomendations, I feel like I am at a disadvantage to those who have worked five+ years in a specific industry at a specific position (ie: accountant, product manager, etc.) Also, I understand two years is at the low-end of the spectrum for work experience within the top MBA schools. My ultimate goal is to be an analyst or manager in the operations and supply chain department of a company.

I recently took the GMAT for the first time and received a 710 (48 Quantitative, 37 Verbal). I quit my job at StaiArt 3 months ago for two reasons. One was to take a full month vacation to China to visit my grandmother. The second was so I could have more time to invest in studying for my GMAT. During my studying, I got a part time job at Starbucks, mostly because it would help cover the rent and I enjoy the environment of a coffee shop. Plus coffee is one of my passions (drinking and learning about it).

So as of current:

(1) Two years of full time work experience. 
(2) Quit three months ago. Working part-time now (30 hours a week). 
(3) 710 on GMAT first try.

My top three schools are Northwestern (Kellogs), Berkeley (Haas), and UCLA (Anderson). I understand last deadlines for these three schools (and majority of schools) have either passed or are very soon to be passed. Therefore I would be sending my apps during the first round this October. In my mind, that gives me plenty of time to study and retake the GMAT again. I am aiming for a 730 and above GMAT score to off-set my low GPA and low working experience.

Having 6 or so months to research and dedicate to my apps also gives me time to fully write excellent essays. I also have a few extra-curricular activities and am fluent in both Mandarin and English, with English being my primary language.

It is my low GPA and low work experience that concerns me. The schools I would be applying for are generally in the top 20, with my backups in the top 50. If I apply during the first round, does that give me a better chance? Does a high GMAT percentile (95% and above) often offset low GPA scores and work experience for near-elite to elite schools? Does anyone have any recommendations for a good MBA program that is very diversified in ethnicity, with a strong program in operations and / or international business? Are there any things I can do from now until fall to help supplement my application?

Please do not hold back on any criticisms in your insights or advice. I appreciate the long read and any tips.

Best regards,

Tony

RG0105 · Answer

I'm terrible at evaluating profiles, but in terms of programs that are strong in operations/SCM - I'd probably suggest any of the following: Stanford, Sloan, Ross, Tepper, Haas, or Kellogg (although it seems like you could probably list those schools for pretty much anything).

Blackfoliage · Answer

The biggest issue here is that you quit your job and are working at Starbucks. Going from a 710 to an 800 would not compensate for the fact that you are not really doing anything now. There is nothing wrong with working for a small company but it means you are going to have to work harder to tell your story and how it relates to business school. Small companies can sometimes give you a better chance to demonstrate leadership than larger corporations. This isn't that big of a deal.

I would suggest you try to go back to what you were doing before or find some new full-time employment. You really have no chance at the schools you mentioned. Maybe an outside shot at UCLA if you really wowed them with the essays somehow but I don't really see it. However, given your goals you could go to a lower ranked school and end with the type of job you want.

My advice would be to work for another year or two then think about applications. It honestly wouldn't hurt to bring your GMAT up a bit given your GPA but its not critical. You could also choose to focus on schools outside the top 25 if you are fine with that.

With 2 more years of experience and a strong application you could probably have a sold shot at UCLA though Haas and Kellogg will still be a stretch.

Read some examples of profile evaluations at poets and quants to help put things into perspective. There are links to the whole series at the bottom of the page I linked you to.

https://poetsandquants.com/2012/03/24/ha ... ng-in-3/5/

tctc33 · Answer

My two cents (probably worth less than that in reality)

1. Work Experience - I think you need to get back into a normal pre-MBA level job as soon as you can find one. Two years of work experience is on the low end. If you start another job soon, you'll have 3.5 years by the time you start and that will be much more in the normal work experience range at top 20 schools (which is what I think you should be shooting for). Also, your application will benefit far more from you being fully employed when you turn it in that it will from additional GMAT points and slightly better essays. Everyone else does those things while holding down a job, and you can too.

2. GPA - It's fine. Won't be a huge deal at top 20-ish schools considering you had a quantitative major and a good score on the GMAT's quant section.

3. GMAT - Your score is already in range for the schools you want to apply to, and you probably shouldn't think about your app in terms of earning a higher GMAT score to make up for your GPA or limited work experience. What part of the verbal section is giving you problems? If it is sentence correction, it might be worth it to really focus on memorizing all those rules and trying to earn some extra points. I think it is much more difficult to improve the other sections, but others may disagree.

In summary, the best thing you can do right now is get back working full time in the kind of role you see yourself in long term. Don't worry too much about GPA/GMAT.

AnarchyBunny · Answer

My big thing would focus on your WE, but there are other red flags.

Below-average WE with spot-on score-of-death on the GMAT for Elite & Ultra Elite schools & you quit your job to focus on your B-School search as opposed to sacking up & doing it while holding down a job like most others in the pool. You're not currently working toward your post-MBA goals in any meaningful way either. Add the weak GPA, and I'd be surprised at most of the schools you listed.

I'd ask yourself the following: What's motivating you? What's the narrative arc of your application? And how do you sell a skeptical adcom in a ridiculously selective environment that you stand out in any meaningful way?

Sorry to be harsh, just a 'view.

spuyrk · Answer

unfortunately, I have to agree with most on this post.

last cycle, I was working but was getting ready to quit and looking for an escape - and that was obvious in my apps and my interviews. i received interviews at outstanding schools but didn't get accepted anywhere (didn't even get waitlisted).

this year, i went and found that one year job and tied it all into my goals and found some other interesting other things that really strengthened my profile, direction, etc. i got into multiple schools including one I was denied from a year ago after interview.

I don't care what anyone says, not having a meaningful, current job is super-crippling and anyone who says otherwise is likely an adcom looking for your $200-$250 app fee or a consultant looking for much more than that.

this isn't always true, but i like the idea of the phrase you don't get into business schools when you desperately need to go, you get in when you don't need to go (i.e. you have a great job/situation or backup plan). right now, it sounds like you need business school to bail you out. find some great work and a direction, and you will get in and have options.

that's where I am a year later, hopefully for you it will be the same.

MDF · Answer

1.) Your GPA will be an obstacle at any top 10 school. Especially with a GMAT score below the mean.

2.) You need to start working again asap. If you remain unemployed much longer, you're going to need to explain "why". And the truth behind that answer will be tough to swallow for the adcom.

purpleshirt · Answer

Definitely agree with all the comments here. To add something from my experience, I had a 710 gmat and was successful. I think you should invest your time in getting back into the corporate world. Also, on a positive note, don't let Fortune 500 applicants intimidate you. I've only worked for small businesses - my current firm is only 8 people! I focused on what I've learned through this experience in terms of a wide range of skills and agility. It seems like you're well aware of your diverse skill sets as well.

One possibility to fill your time while you job search, have you thought about starting a company? Doesn't have to be big or successful. I had quit my first job out of frustration and incorporated my freelancing hobby into a business to explain a 5 month gap in work experience. I hardly made any money but that wasn't the point. I could speak about "entrepreneurial" endeavors in my essays and interviews. And guess it worked

Good luck!

kellogs4toniee · Answer

These are some great advice and insights. Much thanks again to everyone who gave their input.

Please provide a general assessment of my current situation

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