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erubes1
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Realistic odds of admission 28 Oct 2010, 15:57
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Hi Guys,
I graduated a couple years ago with a 2.6 gpa in electrical engineering from a top 15 engineering school. I have been working in the engineering field 2 years for a large fortune-500 company. I took the GMAT for the first time and scored 710 (38- verbal, 48- quantitative, 5.5 awa). I would like to apply to a top-20 school and wondering if I have any odds of getting in despite low GPA and below-average work experience, even though it is a very reputable company. Other strong points on resume:
NCAA national champion, NCAA All-American, and 2-time athlete of the year at my university
coaching underprivileged students in my area for a few years
Six-Sigma black belt (looks good on application at least)

Considering I am 24, should I wait until I get another year or so of work experience to apply or should I try to score higher on the GMAT to offset my grades? Any other recommendations or advice is greatly appreciated.
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bakfed
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Realistic odds of admission 29 Oct 2010, 11:03
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Hi erubes1, in terms of GMAT, the higher it is the better. Having said that, if you don't think you can get it above 740+, I don't see the point of retaking it. The number of years in the field is relative. Even though you only have 2 years of WE, if you can demonstrate your maturity and leadership given these two years, you'll be better off than a person who has been working for 5 years with no leadership opportunity. Your 2.6 will be a concern, so you'll most likely have to explain what had happened: laziness, family problems, etc. You want to sound to the adcoms that you're a different person from who you are when you were in college. Also realize that top 20's statistics vary a whole bunch. Harvard has an average GPA of 3.65 (I think) and Cornell's 3.3. Either way, I think you have a shot if you can put in a super strong application and be able to answer why you need this now and what your goals are. In conclusion, there's much more to the application than a 2.6/710. You'll have to distinguish yourself from the person next door and be able to stand out in a positive way. It's impossible to calculate the "odds", but I'd say you have a shot in the top 20.
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jordanhendrix
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Realistic odds of admission 29 Oct 2010, 11:15
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Its going to be an uphill battle for you at any school. Even at Cornell, as bakfed pointed out, the avg gpa is 3.3, but the GMAT avg is 700, your GMAT doesn't really offset anything there.

Lets look closer at your gpa first and foremost. Whats the trend? did you do better later?
how did you do in quant classes?
Is there a reason for that GPA?
Can you take a couple classes over the next year, and get A's to show schools that you are the real deal?

I'm a little more pessimistic on your chances right now, 2 years of WE is the minimum at most schools. Also with only two years out your GPA becomes that much more important.

The NCAA stuff is really great and will help explain a lower GPA, do you have a shot? Yes, is any school a safety...no

Ask yourself what you can do to make yourself a better candidate. I think your main concern is going to be showing that you can handle the rigor of school. 710 shows you're smart...do you have the discipline is the question that a low GPA brings up.
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erubes1
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Realistic odds of admission 29 Oct 2010, 12:35
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Thanks for the input...I did do better later in school. My last year when I didn't play sports and only had school, I had a 3.3gpa in all upper division classes so I will try to show that that is an indication of what I was capable of had I not been so invested in athletics. In terms of the GMAT, I did study hard, but only with 1 book and for a couple months. I'm sure I could score better if I took a course so maybe I will look into that as well. Thanks again for the advice.
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method
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Realistic odds of admission 29 Oct 2010, 23:56
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  • The fact that you made it to the mountaintop of collegiate sports shows that you have an extraordinary level of discipline that most could only dream of having. Definitely focus on convincing admissions committees that you can and will apply the same discipline to an MBA program.
  • Despite a 2.6 you got hired by a Fortune 500 company, so you must sell yourself well through interviews, resumes, etc.
  • You have authentic volunteer experience.
  • You have a 710 GMAT.

I believe you have a shot at a Top 25 program. I expanded it to Top 25, because lets be real.... schools such as Texas, Indiana, UNC, USC are all operating in the same cluster.

In summary, do you believe that every single slot of these programs has been given to someone with better qualifications than you? I don't think so!