[goodluck2everyone]

Basically it’s been my dream to go to UCLA business school. However, my gpa is pretty poor (3.0) and I can’t seem to get higher than a 600 on the gmat.

Any advice on what I can do to improve my chances at getting in?

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[misanthrope87]

I think you should worry about the 100k it costs to attend.

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[Anonymous]

are you talking about anderson school of business for graduate students or the undergraduate business program?

[gans555]

I was recently accepted into business school for a Masters of Accountancy with a GMAT score of only 600. Here's what I was told. While the GMAT score is important, it really only makes up for about 35% of total decision. The other comes from personal essay, gpa, resume, and possibly the interview. (I didn't have an interview). My best advice is to go tour the campus and talk to professors in your concentration. Then write about it in your college essay. This will show how dedicated you are to actually going to that school.

I can also send you a copy of my essay if you want, just leave me your email.

[goodluck2everyone]

I meant graduate business school

thanks a lot gans555. My email is khachik2003@gmail.com

BEC- 80
REG- 68, 71, July
AUD- 61 , 84
FAR- -- 75 🙂

[Finish Strong]

MBA admissions focus much more heavily on your entire application than those for a Masters of Accountancy. So, your work experience will be a huge portion of your application and interview. Given a 600 and a 3.0, your chances will be made tough. According to a quick search, their site shows a class profile middle 80% GMAT range of 660-750 and GPA of 3.2-3.9. Being below both of those metrics puts you in the bottom ~10% of applicants by both measures. Chances are, a poor GMAT/GPA can be compensated by a strong GMAT/GPA and strong experience, letters of recommendation, and interview.

I hope this doesn't scare you, but it seems that this may need to be one of your “reach” schools, rather than your first choice. Are you set on getting an MBA, or is UCLA some dream that you have? Also, FYI, (https://www.gmatcat.com/Percentiles.html), a 660 GMAT is in the 84th percentile while a 600 is around 68th. Every 10 points here matters so study your heart out and do your very best here. You can't change your GPA. So, bust your bum to ace the GMAT, and then focus on finding good recommendations as well as practicing for interviews and such. Best of luck. Don't see admission to UCLA as a reasonable expectation, but it's not impossible. On the other hand, I'm sure you could manage to get into some decent MBA program with enough prep and strong application.

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[See Pee A]

@OP: I'm sorry your luck hasn't been so great on the CPA, but you're halfway there so you can definitely get through it! As far as a MBA goes, I have to agree with Finish, this is going to be a tough one. Your stats are on the low end in terms of the class, so unless you have some amazing recommendations and experience, UCLA may have to stay a dream. That said, don't quit. We all reach since the opposite would be to settle. Never settle. Try your best, but also have reasonable expectations. It will take someone developing an affinity for your during your candidacy for your profile to still get you into UCLA. Interview, experience, essay, and all that other stuff will be crucial for you. There are TONS of resources online for how to write a strong essay and how to better articulate experience to demonstrate positive things about yourself and your candidacy. If a MBA is a dream, it will take a lot of work, but it's not impossible. UCLA may be a stretch, but you can still get into another reasonable program and make it worth your while. Passing the CPA may also lend a boost to your application. Admissions are tough now with so many people returning to school, so don't be overconfident but don't sell yourself short either.

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Exam prep - Becker self-study

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