Creative ways to get into a Top Grad B School?

Question

I am a 3.0 student at a Top 10 Undergrad Business school. I am going to go into the military when I graduate as an officer. I wanted to use my education benefits to take part-time classes at a local community college when I graduate to show I can get better grades (I have been working full-time since junior year, part of the reason my grades are low). I have high GMATs, (750ish) I have two internships under my belt.

Does anyone else know of anything I can do that will strengthen my chances of getting into a Top 5-10 graduate school? I am going to apply after I return from active-duty? (approximately 5 years after I graduate).

I am going to get some certifications, (CPA,etc.) I figured that would help. Please let me know. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Honestly, I don't think any top 10 b-school is going to be impressed that you were capable of handling community college courses. Your best bet, since you plan to wait about 5 years before applying for b-school, is to talk, and to have your references talk, about how much you have gained in maturity since graduating from college. It is obviousl from your GMAT that you are capable of more than a 3.0; what you need to prove is that your days as an underachiever are long over. However, I have to say that a 3.0 is highly unlikely to get you in, even with your excellent GMAT scores. You might want to wait another 5 years or so and apply to an Executive MBA program instead. Some of those pay less attention to the GPA, since it is so long since it was earned.