Gears46 05-24-2006, 12:45 PM I was just wondering if anyone could give me their impression on whether I would stand a chance to get into Sterns part-time program. Here's my profile:
GMAT: 690 (v 91%, Q 74%)
GPA: 2.3 in Electrical & Computer Eng. (Played Division I basketball my first two years at school, which is why my GPA is as low as it is...I have also explained this in my essays)
Master's GPA: 3.6 in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology (I am hoping this will put the adcoms concerns about my academic ability to rest)
3 years of work experience as a Computer Engineer work for the US Army.
I am looking to make a career change from Engineering to Finance......
Opinions would be greatly appreciated..... Thanks....
Clear Admit 05-26-2006, 02:05 PM Dear Gears46,
Thus far, you’ve listed several key strengths, and one key weakness to your candidacy to Stern’s part-time program. As I’m sure you know, your undergraduate GPA is the primary weakness. Particularly if this was at a school that the admissions committee would consider to be ‘second tier,?it could be very damaging. However, the fact that you only played basketball the first two years could be very handy. Did your grades improve during your junior and senior years? If so, and you can trace this upward trajectory through to your impressive graduate GPA, the adcom’s concern about your weak undergrad marks could significantly dissipate. Be sure to focus on this upward trajectory as you prepare your applications.
Your 690 GMAT will be to your advantage, as it sits at or just above the program’s average. Now, however, I think that your candidacy will hinge on how well you are able to explain why it is that you have decided to transition to finance, and why you feel that you would be particularly capable of it, given your pre-existing skills and the work that you plan to do during your MBA studies.
You will definitely need to address the low GPA in your application, likely in the context of an optional essay. Otherwise, just try to make sure your entire application is forward-looking. Rather than focusing on what you have done so far, try to demonstrate to the adcom that, based on your work experience and your creative and entrepreneurial business mind, you have a great deal of potential to succeed in the business world in the future.
Good luck with the application process!
Nick Maxwell
Clear Admit, LLC
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