Director
Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Affiliations: Columbia, Wharton, LBS
Posts: 591
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools:Harvard, Stanford, LBS, Columbia, Wharton, HEC Paris
Re: Profile evaluation: Low GPA
[#permalink]
10 Jun 2013, 04:37
Thanks for your posting.
To start off with, if you explain your GPA correctly, business schools will not view your GPA as being so low. In general, admissions weighs your classes in your later college years (junior and senior) much more heavily than your earlier college years. Also, if you have took any post-bacc classes, they will weigh these the heaviest. The general rule is the most recent classes are the most accurate representative of your academic abilities and potential. Also, your GMAT is excellent and this will weigh considerably when schools are evaluating your academic score -- so I see you in much better shape than you see yourself.
As for work experience, accountants are over-represented in the applicant pool which means that you are in a competitive demographic group. This means that to distinguish yourself, you have to develop compelling career goals and show how you will leverage the discipline of accountancy with the expected innovation and leadership of an MBA. This take a lot of thought and just going the conventional banking and consulting route will make you sound like the majority of accountants who apply to MBA programs.
As for which schools to apply to -- I see that you have the potential to be a competitive applicant at all these school with a strong application. Your essays, recommendations, resume, interview, etc. have to be used strategically to distinguish yourself further. As for which schools to apply to -- I would start with The Consortium program - as I see you as a logical candidate -- and some of the schools you have on your list participate in this. Next, I see a more potential in your candidacy than you do -- and would recommend that you give Wharton and/or Sloan a chance. You have plenty of back-up schools on your list.
Good luck.
Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review
Call for a free candidacy assessment.