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09 Jul 2015, 23:45
Kudos
Bookmarks
1) Brief description of your full-time work experience.
Project engineer at Global Fortune 500 company (located in Australia)
5 month international stint in Singapore
Total 42 months work exp as of now.
2) Your GMAT
First attempt: 700 Q48 V38 (low IR 25th percentile! - didn't study for IR but was in 80th percentile on practice tests)
Please advise if I should retake, I'm certain I can get ~730 with another 2 months of study and certainly can pick up the IR score.
3) College info:
Top university in Australia (usually ranked somewhere from 3rd-5th nation-wide)
Major: Engineering and Accounting (in Australia we are allowed to do a longer degree with two different majors)
Graduation: Nov 2011
GPA: converts to about 2.9/4.0. Failed two subjects. Did end up on deans list in my last year.
Extenuating circumstance: Long story short, I struggled with coming out and with the family and had to move out of home - which required me to work part-time to support myself. My work included two years at PwC Tax Team as an undergrad consultant.
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
College :
2 years :Committee member on the board of Young Engineers Australia (sub-group of the national Engineers Australia professional body)
2 years : Committee member of the largest student organisation at my university.
Current
sub-committee member of the largest LGBTI Business Oraganisation in Melbourne
Mentor for LGBT College student (through an organisation that organises these mentor/mentee partnerships)
5) Important certifications
Started my Chartered Engineering (unlikely be completed before applications)
6) Your target programs.
Stern, Kellog, Booth, Columbia
Please recommend schools if these are completely out of reach with my GPA.
7) Application cycle:
Need advice on this.
I believe with my GPA I need all the advantage I can get. Therefore, I think I need to apply in R1.
R1 2015 (deadlines in Sept/Oct) - seems too rushed if I'm to retake my GMAT. Will R2 be a huge disadvantage? If so, I'm happy to wait one more year (as it also will distance myself from my GPA even more)
8) Your post-MBA goal.
Strategy Implementation
9)Personal:
Female; Asian-Australian; LGBT
I understand my GPA is very low. Please advise if I have a shot at these schools and whether I should retake my GMAT for a higher score to at least somewhat offset the GPA.
Thanks in advance!
Project engineer at Global Fortune 500 company (located in Australia)
5 month international stint in Singapore
Total 42 months work exp as of now.
2) Your GMAT
First attempt: 700 Q48 V38 (low IR 25th percentile! - didn't study for IR but was in 80th percentile on practice tests)
Please advise if I should retake, I'm certain I can get ~730 with another 2 months of study and certainly can pick up the IR score.
3) College info:
Top university in Australia (usually ranked somewhere from 3rd-5th nation-wide)
Major: Engineering and Accounting (in Australia we are allowed to do a longer degree with two different majors)
Graduation: Nov 2011
GPA: converts to about 2.9/4.0. Failed two subjects. Did end up on deans list in my last year.
Extenuating circumstance: Long story short, I struggled with coming out and with the family and had to move out of home - which required me to work part-time to support myself. My work included two years at PwC Tax Team as an undergrad consultant.
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
College :
2 years :Committee member on the board of Young Engineers Australia (sub-group of the national Engineers Australia professional body)
2 years : Committee member of the largest student organisation at my university.
Current
sub-committee member of the largest LGBTI Business Oraganisation in Melbourne
Mentor for LGBT College student (through an organisation that organises these mentor/mentee partnerships)
5) Important certifications
Started my Chartered Engineering (unlikely be completed before applications)
6) Your target programs.
Stern, Kellog, Booth, Columbia
Please recommend schools if these are completely out of reach with my GPA.
7) Application cycle:
Need advice on this.
I believe with my GPA I need all the advantage I can get. Therefore, I think I need to apply in R1.
R1 2015 (deadlines in Sept/Oct) - seems too rushed if I'm to retake my GMAT. Will R2 be a huge disadvantage? If so, I'm happy to wait one more year (as it also will distance myself from my GPA even more)
8) Your post-MBA goal.
Strategy Implementation
9)Personal:
Female; Asian-Australian; LGBT
I understand my GPA is very low. Please advise if I have a shot at these schools and whether I should retake my GMAT for a higher score to at least somewhat offset the GPA.
Thanks in advance!
PersonalMBACoach
Expert
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Last visit: 08 May 2026
Posts: 3,818
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 11
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
Expert reply
13 Jul 2015, 06:18
Kudos
Bookmarks
GMAT: You have the right thought with retaking your GMAT because if you can add 30+ points it will show more of your academic potential.
GPA: Unfortunately waiting a year won't mean your GPA is less relevant. It will be viewed the same this year or next.
Experience: tell me more about your work experience. How have you performed relative to peers? Salary raises, evaluations, leadership etc.
Those schools would be reasonable for you if your story and application is strong enough and I would recommend trying to fit in at least one round one if you have time with the studying.
Feel free to reach out for a more detailed consultation. [email protected]
Good luck!
GPA: Unfortunately waiting a year won't mean your GPA is less relevant. It will be viewed the same this year or next.
Experience: tell me more about your work experience. How have you performed relative to peers? Salary raises, evaluations, leadership etc.
Those schools would be reasonable for you if your story and application is strong enough and I would recommend trying to fit in at least one round one if you have time with the studying.
Feel free to reach out for a more detailed consultation. [email protected]
Good luck!
AugustAcademy
Joined: 26 Jan 2013
Last visit: 06 Jul 2024
Posts: 470
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 7
Schools: Stanford '19
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V44
GPA: 3.99
17 Jul 2015, 00:47
Kudos
Bookmarks
dor,
Get a better GMAT score. It will work wonders for you.
Your GPA is low. Your reason is extenuating, and hopefully the adcoms understand. The fact that you ended up on the dean's list in your final year should help.
We need some more information about the nature of your work experience, and some of the leadership stories that you may have at work. EC's are good.
Still, you may find it difficult at some of these programs - perhaps you will get interviews. Spread the net a bit wider, and get it done this year. Don't worry about R2 - R2 should be ok for you.
Regards,
Karthik
Get a better GMAT score. It will work wonders for you.
Your GPA is low. Your reason is extenuating, and hopefully the adcoms understand. The fact that you ended up on the dean's list in your final year should help.
We need some more information about the nature of your work experience, and some of the leadership stories that you may have at work. EC's are good.
Still, you may find it difficult at some of these programs - perhaps you will get interviews. Spread the net a bit wider, and get it done this year. Don't worry about R2 - R2 should be ok for you.
Regards,
Karthik
dor1209
