Hi
yang1611,
Thank you for your post. Here are some thoughts, observations, and responses:
GMAT & GPAThe 720 GMAT helps make up somewhat for your low GPA. Not entirely, but it helps. A 720 is above the mean for the four programs you've listed; it's right at the median for Stern and Darden (720), and it's just above the median for Fuqua and Johnson (710). So you're around the average and maybe a little bit above it on the GMAT side. On the GPA side, a 3.1 places you near the 10th percentile for these programs, tucked just inside the middle 80% range at Fuqua and Stern, for example.
Overall, I'd consider you a "solid GMAT, low GPA" candidate for these schools. "High GMAT, low GPA" would be better, of course, but "below-average GMAT, low GPA" would be a lot worse, and that latter case would potentially be a deal breaker. These programs will be tough, but if you execute really well (well reasoned and specific career goals and rationale for "why MBA," unique story, excellent school research and engagement, strong articulation of school fit and specific contributions you'd make, superb recommendations, etc.), they would look past the GPA.
WORK EXPERIENCEAudit and accounting give you a nice foundation in many ways (which you should unpack and use to your advantage where you can), but they are not as well regarded as the mainline consultant / analyst / associate positions in the organizations at which you've worked. You'll have to overcome that by telling a strong story about your experiences -- what you've learned, analyzed, led, worked on, etc. -- and projecting that forward to why you now want an MBA, and what your career goals are thereafter (be very specific, short- and long-term).
PERSONAL STORYOn the personal side, you should figure out where and how to touch on the experience of coming to the U.S. and being the first in your family to go to college. That is powerful and personal stuff, it feels like a big part of your story, and it provides added context for your academic and professional accomplishments. Admissions committees want to know these things and understand you, your story, your passion, your purpose. So share it with them. Berkeley-Haas even went so far as to ask explicitly about
factors like this in their 2018-19 application. It's definitely on adcoms' radars, and even though your GPA might be low and work experience not necessarily "top tier," you have your own personal / American success story to share. I encourage you to share it!
SCHOOL RESEARCH & ENGAGEMENTPlease read
this blog post for more information regarding the importance career goal specificity, school specificity, school research and engagement, recommendation quality, etc. You will need to get to know these four programs extremely well, understand and articulate your fit, and understand and articulate exactly how you'd contribute. You should be attending events, visiting, speaking with current students and alumni, etc. I also strongly encourage you apply early (Fuqua, Darden) and take advantage of open interviews where you can (Fuqua).
SCHOOL STRATEGY / TARGETSBeyond that, it would probably pay to include a couple of lesser-ranked programs to balance out your school strategy (depending on your preferences and how aggressive you want to be. If you wouldn't excitedly attend lesser-ranked programs, then it might not be worth it.) But as of now, you're a little concentrated in the T10-16 range, and all of these are somewhat similar in terms of your chances.
FREE CONSULTATIONHope this helps! I would be happy to chat if helpful:
https://www.avantiprep.com/free-consultation.html Best Regards,
Greg