Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this. I'm new at this whole MBA game. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
High Level:
26 years old, Caucasian female, US citizen
Education: Low end University (CSU East Bay) Received B.S. in Business Administration with Marketing and Advertising Concentrations in 2015.
Stats:
GPA: 2.8
GMAT: Taking it in August (Expecting score in mid to high 600's)
Applying next fall.
Work Experience:
- I currently have around 2 1/2 years work experience, but by the time I apply I will be closer to the 4 year mark. My first position out of college was a Product Marketing Coordinator at Electronic Arts. I was there for a year and had to resign due to an emergency relocation. I'm now at a company in a completely different industry (construction distribution), but have already received one promotion from Marketing Specialist to Marketing Manager.
Extracurricular - This might be a weak spot for me as I was not super involved in college. However, I was an active member of a co-ed professional business fraternity and held a leadership role during one of my semesters. I also participated in various volunteering activities with my fraternity.
MBA Goals - I want to get back into a strategic marketing role in the entertainment/video game industry. My network in the industry is huge and I do believe I have a lot to offer. I think completing an MBA program will help me get my foot back in the door.
My GPA is terrible and I am worried it will be a huge roadblock that keeps me from getting into schools like UCLA and USC.
Sob Story: During my first year at a 4-year university (I was a transfer student), I completely stopped going. It wasn't because school was hard or I partied too much, but because I was battling borderline agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. I was put on academic probation after my first quarter because of my 0.0 GPA. Fortunately, I was able to talk to the accessibility services department at my university and they helped me get back on track. I had to see a private therapist once a week and a counselor on campus twice a week before my first class. I received poor grades because I missed so much class due to my mental illness. I don't want to use this excuse or our myself as a person with a disability in fear that this will look like I'm trying to use excuses.
I know I am smart enough to attend a top level program, especially now that I am on a medication that allows me to manage my illness. What could I do to offset my poor GPA, and is there ever a good time to bring up situations like mine when applying?