Business School - Profile Evaluation

[jcschuler]

Hi, I'm interested in going to a Tier 1 business school (i.e. in the Top 25 if possible) that is preferably also ranked in Finance. I scored a 650 on the GMAT (52nd percentile quant, 88th percentile Verbal), haven't gotten my official score report back yet but am confident I got at least a 5/10 on the IR section and a 4-5 on the AWA) and have a 3.03 cumulative GPA from UCLA...which is low, I know...

Can anyone advise whether or not I have a moderate (at least 50/50) chance of getting into the below list of full time business school programs? I know that for most of these programs, a 650 GMAT is below the average but I thought I might still have a shot based on the fact that its on the low to mid portion of their 80th percentile range:

1. Duke Fuqua (had a positive phone call with an alumni who encouraged me to apply)
2. UCLA Anderson (don't think I have any chance)
3. Cornell Johnson (probably not much chance)
4. USC Marshall
5. University of Texas
6. Boston College
7. Pepperdine Graziadio (not Tier 1 but assume a safety school)
8. Thunderbird (not Tier 1 but assume a safety school)

I'd really appreciate any candid advice/assessments on this - I've never applied to B-school before and I can't apply to every one of these schools. I need to know what's a waste of time and what isn't, what's the best I can do with the score that I have and how I can cut this list (or improve it) down to maybe 3-5 programs max.

Thanks!!!

Jeff

[mili]

Hi Jeff,

I'd say Duke, Cornell and UCLA are a pretty slim chance given your low GMAT and GPA. The others are better possibilities. Any chance you could retake the GMAT or take supplementary courses in finance , accounting, and/or stats? These actions could help improve your chances (assuming you score well). I don't know the rest of your profile -- if it's incredible/extraordinary, then my response might change (e.g., you were one of the first employees at facebook or something like that!).

Hope this helps,
Mili

[jcschuler]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't think there's any time to retake tests, take additional coursework, etc. b/c my assumption is that it's even harder to get in and/or receive financial aid if you apply in round 2, so, at this point, I'm trying to do the best that I can with what I've got in terms of applying during the round 1 period.


Jeff

[mili]

Yes - if you are set on R1, there isn't time. However, I'd recommend submitting a stronger application in R2 over a weaker one in R1. Acceptance rates are similar across these two rounds.

Good luck,
Mili