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brahms00
Joined: 05 Aug 2011
Last visit: 17 Feb 2014
Posts: 26
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Location: Turkey
Schools: INSEAD '14 (WA)
GPA: 2.7
05 Aug 2011, 04:13
Kudos
Bookmarks
General Profile: Turkish/29 y.o./male
GMAT: 710 (Q49 %86 ; V38 %83) AWA 5
Education: B.A. in Management in a top-3 school in Turkey.
GPA: 2.8 (Around 3 in the last year / Average of the finance courses makes 3,85)
Work Experience: 5 years at matriculation in the union of chambers of commerce in Turkey. The union, a non-profit organization representing private sector , plays a significant role in Turkish economy and politics as well. I have worked in two different departements as assistant expert and expert. Both departements required high international interaction. I think subjects I have dealt in the union are unique to the all MBA applicant although at the very top it is under the brach operational management or logistics.
International Exposure: I have lived 6 months in Belarus (studied Russian in a local university). Visited Ukraine as a 2 week vacation. For business trips, I have been to abroad many times to make presentations, participate in global meetings about my area, participate bilateral governmental meetings on transportation as a representative from private sector. Turkish is my native, I am fluent in English, French and Russian.
Extra-circulars : Some local/national bridge medals. Organised an inter-university bridge champhionship.
Post MBA Goal: Finance risk management
So, how would you evaluate my profile? What are my chances?
I think GPA is my biggest problem. Before browsing a couple of forums I was planning to send the application without separately dealing with that issue. Just hoped that somehow unconventional background with sufficient international exposure and an acceptable gmat would be enough. However you guys convinced me about the fierce competition and now I am seriously thinking about addressing the issue. But how?
Hard luck story, I have one. Father had an illness, bankrupted , I had to work during education. But this is not the real reason I just did not care and after 6 years this is the first time I feel obliged to make an explanation.
Extra-circular activities, I have a couple. During college years played bridge extensively all around the Turkey (all expenses (travel/acoomodation/stipend) were covered by the national bridge federation since I was a candidate for national team.
Better grades in particular area, I have it. The average of my finance grades are 3,85 (I did not pursue a carrier in finance after graduation but plan to do it after MBA)
So, should I address the gpa issue? If so how? I really would be more comfortable without mentioning this hard luck story however I have semesters with complete F’s. Or does this bridge stuff would convince ad-com that it is not due to incapability that my grades were low? Would finance grades save me? Should I mention it taking a separate essay for that? Does the adcom cannot discover it without help.
Finally, does any of those would increase my chances? I could use the space of that optional essay.
Thank you very very much in advance,
Onur
GMAT: 710 (Q49 %86 ; V38 %83) AWA 5
Education: B.A. in Management in a top-3 school in Turkey.
GPA: 2.8 (Around 3 in the last year / Average of the finance courses makes 3,85)
Work Experience: 5 years at matriculation in the union of chambers of commerce in Turkey. The union, a non-profit organization representing private sector , plays a significant role in Turkish economy and politics as well. I have worked in two different departements as assistant expert and expert. Both departements required high international interaction. I think subjects I have dealt in the union are unique to the all MBA applicant although at the very top it is under the brach operational management or logistics.
International Exposure: I have lived 6 months in Belarus (studied Russian in a local university). Visited Ukraine as a 2 week vacation. For business trips, I have been to abroad many times to make presentations, participate in global meetings about my area, participate bilateral governmental meetings on transportation as a representative from private sector. Turkish is my native, I am fluent in English, French and Russian.
Extra-circulars : Some local/national bridge medals. Organised an inter-university bridge champhionship.
Post MBA Goal: Finance risk management
So, how would you evaluate my profile? What are my chances?
I think GPA is my biggest problem. Before browsing a couple of forums I was planning to send the application without separately dealing with that issue. Just hoped that somehow unconventional background with sufficient international exposure and an acceptable gmat would be enough. However you guys convinced me about the fierce competition and now I am seriously thinking about addressing the issue. But how?
Hard luck story, I have one. Father had an illness, bankrupted , I had to work during education. But this is not the real reason I just did not care and after 6 years this is the first time I feel obliged to make an explanation.
Extra-circular activities, I have a couple. During college years played bridge extensively all around the Turkey (all expenses (travel/acoomodation/stipend) were covered by the national bridge federation since I was a candidate for national team.
Better grades in particular area, I have it. The average of my finance grades are 3,85 (I did not pursue a carrier in finance after graduation but plan to do it after MBA)
So, should I address the gpa issue? If so how? I really would be more comfortable without mentioning this hard luck story however I have semesters with complete F’s. Or does this bridge stuff would convince ad-com that it is not due to incapability that my grades were low? Would finance grades save me? Should I mention it taking a separate essay for that? Does the adcom cannot discover it without help.
Finally, does any of those would increase my chances? I could use the space of that optional essay.
Thank you very very much in advance,
Onur
08 Aug 2011, 16:16
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi brahms00,
I recommend you read this case study of a candidate with a sub 3.0 GPA who was accepted into Columbia and Chicago:
https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehens ... ies/case5/
Although your undergraduate record is a factor an admissions team will consider, there are ways to address the issue.
Hope this was of help.
Cheers,
Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team
I recommend you read this case study of a candidate with a sub 3.0 GPA who was accepted into Columbia and Chicago:
https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehens ... ies/case5/
Although your undergraduate record is a factor an admissions team will consider, there are ways to address the issue.
Hope this was of help.
Cheers,
Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team
09 Aug 2011, 02:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
Allright I'll say this one straight up:
The nice thing about INSEAD is that they seem to be a LOT more flexible than US programs int heir profile, and they really are looking for interesting and unique applicants, which in your case is great, cause there are not that many Turkish applicants. You also seem to have decent international exposure (would be good if you had some work achievements abroad too) and its awesome that you speak Russian and French (especially French for INSEAD) So yes, you have a low GPA, but you have a good reason, you have a great GMAT, interesting stories...
As for your GPA issue. Yes, it's low. What can you do?
You write an essay bout it. You show them your excellent GMAT score, you write them an honest and sincere story about your father, and you show them that you ARE academically capable.
Now all you gotta do is just fill out your list of the rest of the schools you'd like to apply to, and just go for it!
The nice thing about INSEAD is that they seem to be a LOT more flexible than US programs int heir profile, and they really are looking for interesting and unique applicants, which in your case is great, cause there are not that many Turkish applicants. You also seem to have decent international exposure (would be good if you had some work achievements abroad too) and its awesome that you speak Russian and French (especially French for INSEAD) So yes, you have a low GPA, but you have a good reason, you have a great GMAT, interesting stories...
As for your GPA issue. Yes, it's low. What can you do?
You write an essay bout it. You show them your excellent GMAT score, you write them an honest and sincere story about your father, and you show them that you ARE academically capable.Now all you gotta do is just fill out your list of the rest of the schools you'd like to apply to, and just go for it!
