Get feedback from our experts and your fellow applicants!
Clear Admit’s Wire tools provide a platform for you to learn from and support other applicants to leading MBA programs.
I've had a government focused career in the US Senate and at Goldman Sachs. I am interested in making a career shift to a new field.
American white male, 27
I'd really appreciate any input on my chance at my target schools. I have two primary concerns about my app: undergrad GPA and LOR (which I'll explain).
Education:
BBA in Marketing from decent school (ie Maryland/Georgia/Ohio State)
GPA: 3.0 (Don't have any real excuse for this. Have Ds in classes like Film but got As in classes like Accounting and Econ. Worked 25-40 hours per week every semester to pay for school if that's relevant.)
GMAT:
695 -- I believe I could get higher if I pushed but felt like I should focus on other aspects of my apps
Career:
- Started at a very well known consumer products brand as a marketing associate in their early careers rotation program.
- Wanted to mix things up a bit and get a different perspective on marketing and 'brand building', so took an advertising strategist role at an agency where I worked with primarily CPGs.
- Jumped jobs to another agency (not well known) after a year, for step up in responsibility and pay. Worked across lots of client industries, led projects autonomously.
- Unfortunately was laid off after less than a year; am now an Associate Marketing Manager at a telecom.
Extracurriculars:
In school, I ran a radio show at our student station for 4 years. Was also active in our marketing club. Not really an extracurricular but did multiple in-semester (?) internships, one of which involved a lot of organizing and collaboration with school clubs.
Outside school, I participate in athletic activities but have not done much else.
Why MBA:
Although getting laid off was against my will, jumping roles across industries and client-agency side was not. I wanted to get a holistic perspective on how marketing is done, and feel like I've achieved that. My goal in the long-term is to shoot for a CMO-type role, so I'm now seeking an MBA to supplement my marketing-specific experience and knowledge with a broader business acumen. So, my short-term goal would be to either start working at a consumer-facing company with high growth/potential, or to join a consulting firm for a few years to develop my overall strategy chops before exiting to something similar.
Concerns:
Again, my GPA is a big concern for me. Any perspective on how much that will affect me would be appreciated.
My second concern is LORs. My boss and I have a great relationship. I'm sure in a vacuum she would write me a great rec no questions asked. However, I have worked here for less than a year so my concern is she may balk a bit at my request. However if I wait until next year to ask, I'm confident she'd be willing to write me an excellent reco which I feel may be necessary given my poor GPA. I'm wondering how much a great vs. average reco would impact my application given the schools I'm targeting.
Undergrad GPA is low, but I won a scholarship for the highest GPA in my MA program (~90% average).
~3 years experience as a Senior Manager
R2 Waitlist:
MBA Math, Attended a class visit: reflection letter
and professional updates.
Feel free to DM me for waitlist navigation strategies.
Submitted Application on 4/30/2024. Heard back with interview invite 5/7/2024.
Was on Further Evaluation from R2. Interviewed in R3. Now waitlisted.
Waitlisted at NYU Stern and CBS. Accepted off the waitlist at Duke Fuqua. Rejected from UCLA Anderson.
Opted to take the Executive Assessment for my applications.
Updating from previous post. Got another 5k/year from McCombs, will be enrolling there. Can't justify the 50k difference in tuition between the two. I grew up in Austin and would like to work there full time after graduation. I think it'll still give me a shot at MBB, but am open to other companies as well.
Register Today – It’s Free!
Join our MBA applicant community to gain access to exclusive content such as:
Expert admissions advice and the latest news on top business schools delivered straight to your inbox.