Low UG GPA, High MBA GPA. Job Prospects at consulting firms, IBs?
Hi guys,
I was wondering whether having a low UG GPA(2.7/4) would make it difficult for a MBA student with a high GPA to get a job in consultancy firms or investment banks?
Given he has all some work experience for other large companies during the MBA and has developed several successful entrepreneurial ventures before the MBA?
A lot of that will depend on where the MBA is from. But sure, definitely has a decent chance all things held equal and assuming it is an MBA program that regularly sends people into those jobs.
Could you get away with not listing your undergrad GPA? If you have a high MBA GPA and a high GMAT then they'll know you're smart. They might still want your undergrad GPA anyways, but if you explain your story and then they can see that you are smart based off of the GMAT and MBA GPA then it shouldn't be a huge issue. I don't work in IB, Consulting, or have an MBA yet, so if someone who has experience in the MBA recruiting has a different opinion you may want to take their advice.
It all depends on what school your MBA is from. Most top schools have grade non-disclosure, so I'm a bit skeptical that your MBA grades will matter (either it's a non-top program, in which case you'll have a difficult time regardless of your grades, or it is a top program, in which case we wouldn't be talking about your grades).
I'm not in an MBA program yet. Are you sure being in a top MBA program means your grades don't matter....?
@BigSwingingDave Really?!?! High MBA GPA and High GMAT mean you are smart?? Maybe GMAT correlates with being 'smart'... but high GPA at a MBA?? C'mon, you gotta me kiding me..
And Triton, most top schools don't disclose grades, so employers wouldn't know what they are, so how would it matter? And if you go to one of the few schools that does disclose MBA grades are kind of an afterthought anyways.
I never said that low GPA makes you stupid (common mistake between causation and correlation??) I am just saying that a high MBA GPA does not mean anything. MBAs are clubs for networking and improving your soft skills. They prepare you to be a succesful manager. A high GPA doesnt mean you are smart..
I'm about to finish my MBA at a large state school (non-target), so I'll chime in. Firstly, EVERYONE graduates with a high GPA for an MBA. 1) because it's incredibly easy (though time consuming), and 2) because the university has an incentive to graduate MBAs with high/inflated GPAs.
I would say it's all about work exp., network, and the brand of the school that determine if you'll break in to IB/MBB type work. Your GPA won't 'make' you, but it'll certainly 'break' you. If you graduate a non-target MBA with GPA at a top school from breaking in. The problem is, with a 2.7, you most likely won't be in a position to get into a good first job and then a good MBA.
"So, for a more direct answer to your question. I don't think a 2.7 would stop someone a with a high GPA at a top school from breaking in. The problem is, with a 2.7, you most likely won't be in a position to get into a good first job and then a good MBA."
Yes, this is definitely a problem. Which is why I'm supplementing that experience with setting up my own business. Once it's successful, I hope it would be competitive with other people. But I'm not sure how MBA programs view entrepreneurial experience vs working in big firms. I have no experience working in big firms.
It is absolutely impossible to get into a M7 program with a 2.7 GPA.
I am at a top MBA, and every finance job that I have applied to, you have to put in your UG GPA.
Also, disagree with the above comment that you can not get into an M7 program with a 2.7 GPA, I am aware of several cases where that has happened just in my circle of friends and collegaues. When you have a 780 GMAT and a 2.5 GPA there is usually a reason for the GPA and sometimes that reason is very valid, and luckily schools let you explain it in the admission essays.
"Also, disagree with the above comment that you can not get into an M7 program with a 2.7 GPA, I am aware of several cases where that has happened just in my circle of friends and collegaues. When you have a 780 GMAT and a 2.5 GPA there is usually a reason for the GPA and sometimes that reason is very valid, and luckily schools let you explain it in the admission essays."
What about the applying for jobs after your MBA in the banking industry? Someone mentioned above that the top MBA schools don't release their GPAs...
What is your reason for low GPA?
And what is your current job?
I think consulting firms are less tolerant on low undergrad GPA than banks are. However if you are at HBS and have a 2.7 undergrad GPA it would not matter as much.
2.7 GPA is indicative that you are either lazy or have a track record of making really poor decisions. Have you seen the bios of people with sub 3.0 gpas that have gotten into m7 schools. Their former Olympians, peace corps volunteers that later served 2 years working for the UN in the Congo, the entrepreneur who sold his business for $1m. Yeah you can get in but your story better be exceptional because that's your competition.
All sarcasm aside, this is remarkably true. Its definitely possible to get into an M7 MBA with a sub 3.0 GPA, especially considering the average GPA at M7 MBA's is a 3.5, but you better have some side accomplishments that make up for the low GPA.
In most instances this might be the case but not always so one shouldn't generalize. Friend of mine graduated with a 2.7 because he worked two jobs during his 4 years of school equaling almost 50 hours a week in order to pay for school. Its remarkably hard with a STEM major and working essentially a full time job on the side. Not everyone has the advantage of going to school with no stress and concerns. IMO I would barely be able to focus on studies if my concern was more if I would even be able to attend next semester. The issue is will an MBA care if he ends up trying to get one? I personally have no idea.
Yes the majority, 90%, of top MBA admitted students will have better GPAs but there are people without exceptional GPAs who make it into top schools (maybe not M7 a lot, but definitely top 15) which places you in a better spot. Much better than how you were probably doing before the top 15 MBA. Because if you were doing well you would not be bothering with an MBA.
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