Profile Evaluation Please

[mbamission]

Hello Kirk,

Thank you for your inquiry. Considering that you do not have a lot of work experience and your undergraduate GPA is on the low side, you will need to strengthen your application in other areas. It seems that you have already taken some steps to improve your candidacy. You have a very good GMAT score and are taking classes to create an alternative transcript. You should do your best to get As in those classes since you really do want the classes to show that you have grown since college and that you have the ability to do the work required in business school. You should also take care to avoid making excuses about your college grades in your applications.

It will also be important to be very clear about your professional goal. I can see that your goal is to work in basketball. I recommend being much more specific about your career goals, which will help you make the argument that XSchool (USC or UCLA, for example) is the best place to help you achieve those goals.

I have a few questions for you. Are you able to demonstrate leadership at work or outside of work? Have you been able to make an impact on the organizations that you have been involved with? This could include your work as a coach or with rotowire.com. I know that you were laid off in the winter, but are you working now? If not, what are you doing (in addition to the two classes you are taking)? Business schools understand that many people have been laid off because of the economy, but they are interested in candidates who are using their time productively. You should be prepared to discuss that.

Lastly, I would ask yourself whether you think you would be a stronger applicant next year. Business schools do accept young candidates without much work experience, but those people tend to have a considerable amount of leadership experience (in school, entrepreneurship or elsewhere) to make up for their lack of work experience. I hope this is helpful!

Sincerely,
Akiba Smith-Francis
MBA Mission

646-485-8844

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