<p>Ok, I am looking at top MBA programs at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Cornell and UChicago. I have a unique background and I'm not sure how admissions may perceive me. So, I would really appreciate any input from the community.</p>
<p>I started a business from scratch when I was 19, bringing sales to $1 mill after 1.5 yrs., then I sold it for a profit at age 23. I returned to school, attending a two year college before transferring to a top 20 school with a 3.7 GPA. I will be finishing my undergrad next fall/winter quarter at a top 20 school with a 3.56-3.6 GPA. </p>
<p>The problem is that while I was working and traveling for the business, I was also attending college and unable to maintain a descent GPA. I think when I left school at age 20, my GPA was 2.7.</p>
<p>As far as extra curricular activities, I'm currently dorm president, curating my own art show at school, have given to charity and have traveled around the globe.</p>
<p>So, I am curious as to how my GPA or background may be perceived by admissions at these schools. Any input or opinion would be greatly appreciated. :-)</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry too much about this. Grades don't seem to be terribly important to the top business schools-they are much more interested in identifying future business leaders. At Harvard business school, I sometimes wondered how certain people ever got admitted until I realized who their parents were. If you have started and sold a successful business, you are by definition, a future leader. If you hadn't gone to college at all because you were too busy running your company, they wouldn't dismiss you. (I'm sure any time Bill Gates wants to go to Harvard, they will find a seat for him.) </p>
<p>Keep in mind that they are inundated with applications from interns at investment banks, consulting firms and other traditional 'feeder' programs. You will come as a breath of fresh air.</p>
<p>Yes, 700+. Albeit, at schools like Stanford/Harvard that is still slightly below average (around 710). In order to get into a top 5 school the key will obviously be your experience.</p>
<p>Regardless of that, the easiest thing to improve late in the game is generally one's GMAT score.</p>
<p>I agree with VectorWega. A high GMAT score with good balance between the Verbal and Quant sections will act to balance out a low GPA. A high GMAT score will calm the admissions committees' concerns over whether you can successfully navigate the rigors of a top program given your lower-than-average GPA. The rest of your background looks great.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have some great experiences in the working world as an entrepreneur already and at quite a young age. You will want to share these experiences with the admissions committee in your essays and personal statement which also gives you an opportunity to address your low GPA due to the fact that you were building a business full-time. That would be a very compelling testimony to your abilities while address a potential weakness in your application.</p>
<p>The first order of business is to get a high-enough GMAT score. The traditional test prep giants (Kaplan, Princeton Review) might not be able to get you there, so you might need to use GMAT test prep that's more specialized and more targeted for top scores. Then, if you don't mind paying a premium, get a good admissions consultant to make sure that you've properly addressed some of the holes in your application profile.</p>