Ms. Project Manager Muffy

Hi Ms. Project Manager Muffy — this is Kate Richardson with mbaMission. I am impressed by your big life win! I I have worked with successful applicants to schools like Tepper with a low GPA or GMAT score, but the two together is going to be a challenge. I would either retake your test or consider the GRE instead. And potentially pair that new test score with some supplemental coursework in quantitative subjects to show Tepper you can handle their rigorous coursework. I also agree with the suggestion to pursue part-time programs as a backup. Otherwise, I like your focus on project management, and that seems like a realistic post-MBA path that makes good use of your background. Best of luck!

Ms. Project Manager Muffy – Thanks for posting your profile! Susan Cera here from Stratus.

While I am very impressed with your social media accomplishments, your stats give me pause. Your soft undergrad GPA combined with a very low GMAT could be a fast pass to the ding pile. Right now there isn’t anything in your profile that gives me confidence in your ability to handle the quantitative rigor of a top MBA program. Yet you may be able to overcome this. First, I encourage you to retake the GMAT or try out the GRE to see if it might be a better fit for you. With a really low GPA, you need to have a standardized test that is very close to the school average. Second, consider enrolling in a pre-MBA math course in which you can get a transcript with an A on it. This will show admissions committee that you are a different student today than you were during undergrad.

I like Tepper as a pick for you. They have only 25% women in their class and will be looking to increase that. However, they need to know that you can do the work!

If you are in LA, you might consider local part-time programs which are typically more forgiving of low stats. Both UCLA FEMBA and USC Marshall part-time could be great options for you.

Wishing you all the best!