Profile Evaluation Request: Female Engineer, 720 GMAT, 3.1 GPA

Question

I have my heart set on Stanford for many reasons. Unfortunately, I have a low undergraduate GPA. I would like to apply to Stanford GSB this fall for the 2015 academic year, but if my odds of getting in are very low, then I would like to take another year to continue to improve my resume and perhaps retake the GMAT. If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it:

About me: 
Female, 26 years old, white

Undergraduate education: 
Most selective school
GPA: 3.1
Degree: Bachelors of Science
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Politics

Graduate education: 
More selective school
GPA: 3.9
Degree: Masters of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
(Completed in two years in parallel with a full time career)

Career Experience: 
5 years (at time of enrollment) at a well-known, global company
2 promotions, both in program management, leadership roles
Role model status for the past 3 years

Other: 
For the past 2 years I have been running a charity organization recognized by a large national 501(c)(3) charity

GMAT: 
720 (IR 8, Quant 48, Verbal 41, AWA 5)

MAC · Answer

Hi Leigh2010,

Thanks for your message. I really enjoyed reading your profile. I reviewed your profile similar to other candidates' profiles that I evaluated when I was on the Admissions Committee.

You have a very strong personal and professional background for Stanford and for some other programs in the top 10 that I would encourage you to look into.

Additionally, your academic foundation (3.1/4 & 3.9/4) lies in the competitive range for these schools and displays your ability to handle the rigorous curriculum. A 720 is a competitive score for Stanford and other top-tiers based on our experience last year. I understand that you are concerned about your 3.1/4 undergrad GPA but remember, this will have less weight given that you achieved a near perfect 3.9/4 in graduate school. Schools are more concerned with how you performed in your recent academic endeavors.

My only concern is that you currently have a Master's Degree. It will be challenging to position but not impossible. You will need to really emphasize how Stanford will meet your short term and long term goals. Also, be crystal clear on what those future goals will be. As you approach your applications, there are a few questions you will want to reflect upon, as top business schools will have similar questions about your candidacy:

1. What really entices you to obtain an MBA given that you have a graduate degree?
2. Do you really need an MBA versus another traditional MBA candidate (without any prior graduate education) who is looking to get into Stanford?
3. How will you apply the MBA after b-school, given that you are successful in your career currently after obtaining a Master's degree?

I hope this helps you. If you would like to further speak directly with our consultants who are former admissions committee members or our recent admits at any point, please let us know.

Best wishes,
Sue and the MAC Team

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Profile Evaluation Request: Female Engineer, 720 GMAT, 3.1 GPA

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