Need some advice on next steps

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by heimer, Jun 24, 2008.

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  1. heimer

    heimer New Member

    First time poster, long time lurker - this site is a great resource!

    Need some advice...

    In December 2007 I graduated with a BS from UMUC at the age of 30. Back in 1996-1997, I attended Villanova University and dropped out after 3 semesters. My GPA was around 2.5. In 2000, I decided to attend a couple of classes at UMUC, both of which I failed because I was too busy playing in a band and working my day job. Don't ask me why I didn't just withdraw from those classes... Young and dumb I guess.

    Anyway, flash forward to 2004 as I enter UMUC again - this time I'm in it to win it. I completed my degree with a 3.4 GPA from 2004 on, but my cumulative GPA with UMUC is a 2.76 due to the two F's.

    So, here I am today contemplating Grad School. Long term, I would like to earn a degree from a "top tier" school. I have always been good at school, I just lacked discipline until now. So, I'm thinking I would like to get an MBA from a "top 25" school.

    I have a 10+ year work history in project management, marketing and business development. And I think I can do well on the GMAT with some prep.

    I just worry about my GPA history.

    So, as a remedy, I have been thinking about earning an less selective, inexpensive RA masters with a good GPA in the mean time to prop up my academic career. I'm zeroing in on the MSSL 60 week program at Mountain State. Besides bolstering my GPA, I think a masters in leadership would complement an MBA.

    Do well earning a less selective MS and then go for a more selective MBA program - what do you think of this route? Will it allow those in admissions to forgive a poor undergrad GPA? What else can I do over the next few years to better prepare for admission into a top MBA program?

    (BTW, when I talk top MBA programs, I'm thinking of RH Smith's or Georgetown's part time MBA (I'm in DC), or maybe Fuqua's Cross Continent or Cornell-Queens.)
     
  2. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    I would take a shot at the top tier school. You finished your undergrad program strongly, the work experience is there, and your failing grades were 8 years ago...

    Study up for the GMAT, get good reference etters from your supervisors or clients, and in your interview for b-school, just be honest about what happened. If the top tier MBA school dosn't work out, the Mountain State option is still there.

    I had a much worse GPA as an undergrad, and I was admitted to an AACSB school for my MBA. Good luck.

    Shawn
     
  3. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I agree with Dr. CR, you should consider top MBA program first. I have couple F's in my transcript, when I applied to GWU and SMU. They never asked me about it....

    You mention about inexpensive. Why's not choosing tier 1 school with inexpensive tuition? The University of Colorado waives GMAT, at least it is 124 in Teir one list.
     
  4. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member


    I think you take your shot at the school of your choice. If they reject the application, then choose your next step. I would not take another Masters Degree simply to help you get into a top tier MBA program. On another note, have you looked at Maryland's tuition for the Robert H. Smith MBA? The eMBA is $94,000. I know because I looked. The part-time MBA runs about $70,000. I live in Maryland and I know UM offers a GREAT business program, but I just don't see dropping that kind of cash.

    Pug
     
  5. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    It would help raise your GPA if you repeated the two classes in which you earned those two Fs.
     

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