Low GPA Military Officer to MBA
Hey all, I've been a lurker here for a while and really enjoy all the forums. Posting for first time to get some advice.
I'm currently an active duty Naval Flight Officer. I still have a little over three years left on my commitment. My ideal path after I get out is to attend B-school and get a corporate strategy position with an F100 company with a long term goal of moving into VC. I'm trying to get an idea of what level of program I would be competitive at and what steps I can take in the next few years to enhance my profile and mitigate some of my weaknesses. Anyways, here's where I'm at right now:
UG GPA: 3.17 (very strong upward trend, but no excuse for extremely poor performance freshman and sophomore year)
History major
Alma Mater: Complete non target, just barely inside the US News top 200.
GMAT/GRE: Haven't taken it yet, aiming for a 720 or equivalent.
Professional: 2.5 years of flight school, aircraft mission commander during 1 combat deployment, led 41 personnel, directed flight and ground operations for 4 planes and ~185 people, graduated from an elite course (think TOPGUN), published in a professional journal, Lean Six Sigma certified, etc.
EC's: Volunteer victim advocate work.
My biggest weakness is obviously my GPA, especially considering my major and UG institution. I also have essentially no quantitative coursework or experience to speak of and I'm on the older side - I'll be 33 at the time of matriculation.
Plans for the next year and half or so are two study for the GMAT (possibly GRE since I think I'd get a higher score) first and foremost, I'm also learning to program (Python) thinking that may be a good EC, take Calc/Statistics/Econ courses from UCLA Extension and possibly enroll in HBX CORe. Is there anything more I should be doing? Or any of these that aren't going to be worth the time and effort? I'm thinking M7 is out of reach but based on all of the above can I reasonably expect to have a chance at T16 or should I be setting my sights a little bit lower? I'd strongly prefer not to attend anywhere outside the top 25 or 30, I'm not sure it would be worth the time and money at that point.
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!
Hey @Navy8r Thanks for posting. Lots to think about here but firstly...GMAT. Don't delay taking it. You don't need a year and a half to study and if you do take that long, you could find at the end of the process that your score isn't up to scratch. So my suggestion is to study for a month or two now, take the GMAT (or GRE as you mention) and see where you land. Then, decide on next steps depending on the number. If you wait too long to take the GMAT, you will be limited in your options. Take it now and then you've got 4 more attempts within the year, if necessary.
Learning Python won't be what gets you into b-school...this is a leadership and management degree so while of course you should continue learning Python if it's interesting/useful, look for other opps to show that you are the type of person who contributes to his/her community.
HBX Core is a great idea to help with the GPA. That and a strong quant score on the GMAT/GRE will help the AdCom understand that you are serious about this AND smart. (Will also help because you are a liberal arts major.) You have the luxury of time so please do both.
Military applicants are always valued so once you have an actual GMAT score and you know approximately where you stand, start networking with the Military and Vet clubs at different programs. Note that some (just some) schools will let US military applicants apply for free or at a discounted rate.
I hope that helps a bit!
Krista
Assumenda voluptate rerum soluta aut autem pariatur quis. Ut aut dolores accusamus eligendi qui. Dolore vel et beatae magnam voluptatum aliquid. Optio sed amet distinctio magnam similique doloremque. Impedit consequatur rem possimus quo magnam. Explicabo iste autem et quia delectus sunt dolore similique.
Sapiente facilis necessitatibus modi non sunt et. Quia facere quibusdam eum perferendis eum. Vero magni sed perspiciatis aperiam corrupti sint aut voluptatem.
Consequuntur perferendis mollitia velit illo. Praesentium aut qui accusantium repudiandae qui quo illum. Sit debitis et nesciunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...