profile eval... some bad grades on transcripts

[odannyboi]

Hi!

27/M US Native
3.072 GPA
GMAT.. yet to report score. Let's say I get a 640.
Biotech Major/ Chem Minor
DePaul U

since undergrad, I've worked with 3 Fortune500 companies in increasing roles of responsibility since graduating in 2006( ie. 4 years of experience). I was a lab assistant for a shelf life R&D for a confections company, Technician for FDA/DEA enforcement of clinical drug packaging protocols, currently a QA engineer for a consumer products company. I've already demonstrated people management, project management, knowledge in logistics, production, process improvement (won a company impact award for this in 2009) and client relations.

I have a few bad grades on my transcripts: C- in Biochem, C+ in organic chemistry, and a D in multivariable calculus!

I did polymer research in undergrad and was published in 2 journals.

Extra curriculars in terms of social responsibility? Pretty much zilch (did United Way fund raising for work and did a few community projects with friends for tutoring kids.. nothing concrete). I am an avid outdoors person though (mountain biking and skiing) so I wanted to get into sustainability either through consulting or making a startup promoting sustainable causes.

I am looking at Pepperdine, Arizona, Arizona state, San Diego State (safe school.. even though it is still pretty competitive.. 38% acceptance). Reach: USC I'm looking for entrepreneurship programs with a social angle (think: Beyond Grey Pinstripes)

I realize my profile is weak... would a GMAT higher than 640 get me any looks from the above (especially USC)? Or should I stay in the workforce for another year and start doing real EC activities or maybe even take some business classes to up my gpa?

[mbamission]

Hi odannyboi

Thanks for writing in. I notice despite those few grades you managed an overall 3.0 GPA, so you may want to use the optional essay to address those grades. Perhaps they were earlier in your college career and you can show you steadily improved? Or maybe you stretched your limits and learned a lot, even if the results on your transcript was poor? Taking business classes at a local community college is another way to address these deficiencies and show you are serious about academics.

While I do not know much about the specifics of the programs you listed, they strike me as realistic group of schools. A 640 is on the lowest end of the 20-80 range for USC and below the median for Carey as well. Ideally you could get your score 20-30 points higher to be more competitive at those schools.

Good luck!
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[odannyboi]

mbamission.. Thank you for taking the time to look over my post! It gave me some hope!