Improve MBA Chances

1. Narrow down where you want to go. Banking? Research? Pick one

2. Start networking NOW. 70% of jobs don't get posted, that number is far higher for finance. Type "neworking mergers and inquisitions" into google and read the articles.

3. Try and get to valuations, corporate finance, or any other "advisory" (TAS) work in PWC. The work is close to finance work and lots of people transfer out to IBD and ER. Make sure that whatever work your doing, you do it well so that you get good reviews. Banks don't give two shits what some corny performance HR review thingy says, but it WILL make it easier to maneuver within PWC and position yourself the way you want if you don't have the performance harpies nipping at your heels.

4. Consider lateralling to another big4 advisory. Plenty of people do audit work and then lateral over to valuations/consulting/risk or M&A proper at a big4. There are plenty of people trying to do this, but these organizations are also HUGE and there's lots of less motivated people for you to compete against (and hopefully beat out)

5. Forget about your GPA. Or rather, find a very very very good way to sell yourself and steamroll the GPA speed bump. Example: I'm the oldest son and had to take over a lot when my father died, so school suffered as a result. I worked hard to bring money into the family and pay for school. I had to focus on bringing in money and getting work experience as opposed to sitting around cranking out perfect grades like I did in high school, and my strenght is in my work ethic, adaptability, and wide array of experience in numerous settings....often holding more than one job and excelling at all of them.

If you don't have a "story", then craft one, get it straight, and get VERY good at selling it in under 30 seconds.

6. While you're at PWC get your CPA. Make the best of what job you have, and mind you that plenty of CPAs go to MBA programs. I met a global head of M&A at a huge bank who was a CPA for years before going into finance....but he was very good at his job and took full advantage of his position there to better himself. His CPA is also a good backup plan.

7. Retake the GMAT. If you can break into the 720+ range, then combining that with good work experience wil offset your GPA. The longer you are out of college, the less they look at your ugrad grades. They want to know what you did since....and that will carry more weight as time goes on. FORGET ABOUT YOUR GPA, you can't change it, you now have to build on things you can actually control.

8. Take CFA level 1 if you're trying to get into research. Just 1 though, you should continue to spend your time on...

9. NETWORKING. It saved my ass, it will save yours. If someone likes you, they will help you and guide you, maybe even hire you, but you have to get out and meet people. You might even make some friends.

10. Stay positive: PWC is a great place to start your career and it's STABLE. DB just fired 2,400 people this morning, and banks are still bleeding people. Thank your lucky stars that you know you will have a paycheck coming in while you figure out your life. This peace of mind frees you up to chase what you really want. Don't get complacent, just realize that you're not struggling to keep your job, and that your free time can be spent looking for a better one.

Last, reach out to people. Bschools, industry professionals, professors, people on this site....broaden yourself.

You can do it.

Good luck.