I need some advice

Question

GMAT 610 (taking it again in a few days, hope to improve)

GPA 2.5 ouch! (solid liberal arts college), I have a decent explanation, but this is what keeps me up at night. 

Work Ex: currently 4.5+ years, I'd rather not get into it, but I have great leadership experience, great stories, and should look at least decent through essays. Very Unique. 

Recommendations: should be solid

Interviews: 1 down, set up many more

Of note: Hispanic male. Co-founded a non profit, cool story. 

- Why MBA: I have a very strong management, strategy, operations background. I want to focus on finance to round out my skill set.

- Not at all interested in a part time program. 

Do I have any chance at: 
UNC
UT Austin
UI kelley
WashSTL 
Rochester
Vanderbilt
Wake
Rice
George Wash
Fordham

Could you suggest some safety schools? I don't want to get shut out and denied everywhere. 

Any other advice? 

THANK YOU!

typicalgmatter · Answer

any input? thanks!

PaulBodine · Answer

typicalgmatter,

On the strength of your Hispanic background, I think your odds at UNC and UT Austin are decent/fair. Your odds at UI Kelley, WashSTL, Rochester, Vanderbilt, Wake, Rice, George Wash, and Fordham are good. How good your explanation for the GPA is will be a factor, and of course upping your GMAT would greatly help you cause. Your work and entrepreneurial experience strengthen your profile. I don't think you need to add other schools as safeties, because several of these should come through for you. Being of Hispanic descent is a big asset for you. Just make sure you execute well in the essays in terms of sounding savvy about your post-MBA goals, highlighting leadership and impact, showing some social impact vision through community stories, and subtly but effectively highlighting your Hispanic background. Any socioeconomic obstacles overcome would also enhance your appeal.

Good luck,

typicalgmatter · Answer

Thank you so much!

I understand the whole why mba and what are you goals essay is critical. I believe my answer is a good one, because it's true, it has a nice fit into my profile, and it isn't the cookie cutter type answer. 

The extra curricular stuff is very confusing to me. I would think it would be a nice strength but some admissions people have REALLY downplayed its importance to me. One even went so far as to say that they do not consider the extra curricular essay when deciding on admissions. Do you have any insight into this? 

Thanks again for the reply!

PaulBodine · Answer

Extracurricular is less important than work experience (leadership, impact) and GMAT, but as evidence of "passion," team skills, and social vision it's important. At top schools, if you are weak in this area you will have a negative that many of your competitors will not have. Lower-ranked schools may be less interested in it.

typicalgmatter · Answer

Thanks for the reply. I guess all I can do is try to frame my extracurricular activities the best that I can and hope the adcoms take an interest. 

I scored a 650 on my GMAT retake. How much does this improve my chances with schools like UNC, UVA, and UT? Would you suggest that I take it again? 

Thanks!

typicalgmatter · Answer

Thanks for the reply. I guess all I can do is try to frame my extracurricular activities the best that I can and hope the adcoms take an interest. 

I scored a 650 on my GMAT retake. How much does this improve my chances with schools like UNC, UVA, and UT? Would you suggest that I take it again? 

Thanks!

PaulBodine · Answer

No, you don't need to retake it. Your odds are probably pretty good as is. As I mentioned your Hispanic background is a major asset. Your 650 is fine. As for the extracurricular, if you founded a non-profit you should be fine there as well.

typicalgmatter · Answer

Paul,
I really appreciate your help and advice. Best wishes in the new year!

PaulBodine · Answer

You're welcome.

ATLiens073 · Answer

Not sure if you application process is complete but you might want to look into the Consortium (cgsm.org) .. It is for candidates of native american, african american and hispanic descent looking to pursue an MBA. Some of the schools you are considering are on their list. The advantage is that you can apply to upto 6 schools through their single application and can possible be elected for a fellowship depending on your work experience and community leadership and such.

PaulBodine · Answer

This is good advice.

typicalgmatter · Answer

Thanks for the advice. I did apply through The Consortium. I completed all of the applications, the Consortium specific interview, and the school specific interviews. I am moderately happy with how my essays and interviews went because I believe I had a very tight game plan and was not shaky on any point (why MBA, post MBA career...). If I could do it all over again I would have started earlier and worked smarter. For example I would have interviewed at a couple of schools that I had little to no interest in to get some practice in. My first interview was so-so, but my last few interviews were pretty good. I also would have liked to flush out my essays a bit more. 

I also applied to 5 schools outside of The Consortium. Most of them are for safety sake, but I am very interested in a couple of them. 

The waiting game is not fun!

PaulBodine · Answer

Good luck to you.

I need some advice

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