Application Essay

Question

I am in the process of writing my essays for the application to a few graduate schools. I am a weak applicant, in that I have little work experience, a low GPA, and a low GMAT score. I want to convey in my essay that I have turned things around and that I am taking the MBA program and its processes very seriously. Any suggestions on how to convey this in my essay or should I leave my shortcomings out? Thanks for all of your help

tuck20xx · Answer

what does "turned things around" mean? why not just get more work experience? retake the gmat and get a higher score? actions speak louder than words.....

EndDream · Answer

Unfortunately (or fortunately), for quality schools you can really only have one weakness max (not literally one weakness but only one from the work experience/GMAT/GPA triad. Because you have a low GPA, you have no choice but to prove you are capable with a high GMAT and good work experience. Luckily, both of those things are not set in stone (like a GPA is). So work hard and long at them.

chostein · Answer

I agree with EndDream and tuck20xx.

Not trying to sound rude, but the quote from MIT undergrad adcom comes to mind.

High school kid: Is it better to get an A in a regular class or a B in an AP or IB class?

MIT: Students who apply to MIT generally take as many AP/IB classes as they can, and get A on them.

Overcoming weak WE, GPA and GMAT with essays seems like a possible but daunting task, and I would say that most of applicants will talk about their shortcomings and what they learned from them since that is how we are told to address. WE and GPA -- there is not much you can do, but GMAT, trust me, you can raise it. There are still a few months left, and studying hard at least for a couple of months WILL raise your score, giving you a much better chance in admission. :-D

osbornecox · Answer

Hey, you got to get to work, literally. On the GPA/GMAT/WE triumvirate, I'm strong (but not lights out) in two, and bottom decile in a third, and I am not sleeping easily.

You got to do something about it. Even if you're applying outside the Top 25, you can't get by with mediocre results in those three basic components (they're probably two-thirds of your overall profile, to put a number to it).

rhyme · Answer

Can I ask where you are applying and what you consider low? I think it all depends where and what were taking about here -- "low GPA/GMAT" is all relative. A 2.5 GPA and 450 GMAT is within shooting distances for some schools -- and clearly completely out of the question for others.

Regardless, I think the general advice is sound -- change what you can (GMAT, ask for more responsibilities at work) and focus on mitigating what you cant (GPA).

Regardless, I think the general advice is sound -- change what you can (GMAT, ask for more responsibilities at work) and focus on mitigating what you cant (GPA).

tmino · Answer

In general, addressing a low GMAT score in essays is not the best idea in the first place. I'm sure adcoms have read all kinds of excuses why applicants didn't perform as well as they liked. Trying to explain a poor score might even hurt you more than it helps. If you don't like your score then retake the test.

As to the GPA, that's a different story if you have valid reasons. Perhaps you had to work 2 jobs during college or support a sick family member... Years of work ex all depends on how much you progressed and your achievements to date. So even someone with 2 years of WE can be well qualified to get a top MBA.

lbird33 · Answer

I'm thinking this was a joke...

rhyme · Answer

Why? Seems like a straightforward, legitimate and fairly common question to me.

osbornecox · Answer

I'm inclined to thinking that it's on the innocent side of uninitiated. Most people who are content with living their lives can't even begin to imagine the level of neurotic obsessiveness that comes with the B-school application territory. Those who are already in the process (or have been through it) could definitely take a step back and realize that most of us are comparable to diehard, unstable celebrity fans, in the way we pore over every single minute aspect of our application delivery and competitiveness.

EndDream · Answer

So true, haha

unplugged · Answer

Just to add to rhyme's post - it also depends on how your profile measures up compared to that of the others with a similar background

bigoyal · Answer

I agree with other comments.

But I still feel that you can make some difference, if you could show very strong leadership initiatives, extra-curriculars and strong awards (if any).

milias · Answer

Now that I've been through the process, I still shudder whenever I think about it, and quickly switch my mind to something more pleasant, like my favorite sports team.

Application Essay

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