Thank you in advance for your help! My gf and I have been looking for an MBA school for her in CA, and we've been having trouble deciding what best suites us. She is an international student and wants to find a good location that can give internship opportunities. Are there any Cal States that you would recommend? Appreciate the help!


- Anthony

Her profile would help us help you. What's her GMAT score/work experience/undergrad GPA/etc. like?

GPA: 2.8, GMAT: 550, Work Experience: Assistant Manager for clothing store.

She finished finished her undergrad a year early, and piled a lot of work and that didn't reflect very well on her GPA. Her GMAT was also rushed as she had a little more than a month to study. She is incredibly smart, but it was a lot of bad timing on many things. I think she can score well above 550 as well. Would you think that would be worth the investment? Thank you for your response and help!

I think that if she was able to substantially improve that GMAT score she may have a chance... Looking at some of the second and third tier California schools. UC Irvine/Merage or UC Davis, for example, the median GMAT scores are about 100 points higher than what she scored. With some good studying and coaching, that's not an improvement that's unheard of, but is still pretty hefty.

And I'm assuming she's been in that assistant manager position for two+ years?

As far as bad timing, that kind of thing is easily explainable in her essays. Don't use the timing as an excuse - but more of as obstacles she has had to overcome. Admissions commissions like that kind of stuff: hardships beaten, risks taken, etc.

GPA: 2.8, GMAT: 550, Work Experience: Assistant Manager for clothing store.

She finished finished her undergrad a year early, and piled a lot of work and that didn't reflect very well on her GPA. Her GMAT was also rushed as she had a little more than a month to study. She is incredibly smart, but it was a lot of bad timing on many things. I think she can score well above 550 as well. Would you think that would be worth the investment? Thank you for your response and help!

Thank you for your help!