Algebra/ Calculus/ Stats -Not so great...do I have a chance?

Question

I will be applying to b-school within the next year. My app looks solid:

GPA 3.41
Dual Degree Accounting and Economics
CPA
 2 yrs Big 4 audit with progression
 2 yrs Transaction services w/ Big 4 (Buy Side and Sell side research) w/ progression

CFA (passed level 2)

720 GMAT

***The one catch is that in my undergrad, I recieved the following grades:

D - Intermediate Algebra (C- on second try and C on third try)
C - college Algebra
D - Calculus (B- earned on second try)
D - financial Acct. (earned a C on second try)
C- - Stats
D - Anthropolgy (earned an A on the second try)

The point I am trying to make is that I had a few mishaps on my undergrad transcript. My last couple of semesters were pretty good. My acct. GPA is roughly a 3.4 and Econ is 3.6. My target schools are:

Wharton
Chicago
Harvard
Northwestern
Berkeley

Do I have a chance at any of the above schools, and if so, which one?

Thanks!!!

Accepted.com · Answer

miguel3072,

You didn't really give me enough to handicap your odds, but based on what you did give me I'd say Harvard is not possible and that the other 4 may be achieveable as longshots if you have strong leadership stories both in and outside of work (with Chicago and Haas as perhaps the slightly more doable ones). If the "Miguel" in your moniker means you are Hispanic American than that bumps the odds up in your favor. If I were you I'd pick from some of these schools but hedge my bets by applying to some schools a bit further down in the foodchain.

Good luck,

Hayabusa · Answer

How can somebody with a CPA, almost CFA, Big 4 experience and 720 GMAT not be able to impress the top schools??? Are the poor grades even a factor here??

miguel3072 · Answer

I wasnt sure if they would be given the professional achievement, but then again, I still haven't applied. I likely won't apply to HBS, but if I were to apply to the other 4, what do you think my chances of getting into one might be. I am also considering applying to Yale, as they also have a strong Finance program.

Accepted.com · Answer

Miguel3072,

Alas, GMAT score, CPA-CFA credentials, and Big 4 experience are not by themselves enough to break into the elite schools. Though all the schools will certainly give you all due credit for them and take your application very seriously. You have a decent chance at Yale, and Chicago, Haas, Kellogg, and Wharton might let you in, but if they do it will be because you showed them more than you've showed me in your post: i.e., strong leadership stories both in and outside of work, extremely strong and non-phoned-in reco letters, and an engaging and compelling set of essays that highlight unusual experiences, obstacles overcome, etc. Again, your odds improve significantly if your moniker means that you are Hispanic American.

Best of luck,

Algebra/ Calculus/ Stats -Not so great...do I have a chance?

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