HBS and Stanford for MBA chances?

My final semester grades were just released and due to a heavy course load my GPA tanked as I got 3 Bs. I now have a 3.77 GPA in finance from a non-target school. Will I still have a chance to get into HBS or Stanford?

7 Comments
 

With a good GMAT, solid work experience, and a little bit of effort, it’s possible. It’s all in your head, you just have to try.

 
Most Helpful

3.77 GPA is fine, it's passable for those programs. 

Nobody can give you any meaningful advice until you have a full profile. Which means GMAT, years of work experience, ECs, ORM/URM, post-MBA goals, etc. But to answer your question, a 3.77 GPA is not going to tank your profile. It's right below Stanford's average and above Harvard's. 

You should do some research on what it takes to get into those schools though. Because you're coming from a non-target, you better aim for some fantastic (ideally unique) work experience, have some major accomplishments at work, meaningful ECs, and destroy the GMAT.

You mentioned that you're studying finance at a non-target. If you're going into a cookie-cutter finance role out of a non-target, it's going to be a major uphill battle. 

 

Thank you so much for the in-depth response!!

I am an asian female and plan on taking the GMAT is summer. Have been getting +700 on the practice tests, so hopefully will continue that momentum.

I will be starting full time at GS/JPM. Does that count as a cookie cutter finance role?

 

No problem! Also, great work on the GMAT. I would aim for 740/750+ (I know that's easier said than done haha). 

It depends on the role at GS/JPM, but overall I would say that almost any role at either firm is not cookie-cutter unless it's like some weird ops role in Columbus. 

A really important (and often overlooked by new graduates) part of your profile will be your career trajectory and post-MBA goals. They should be complimentary. For example, if you're in a non-IB role at GS/JPM, a good MBA route may be to work on the technology team there for 2 years, exit to a fintech with a meaningful role, and tell MBA programs in your application that you plan on pursuing some sort of fintech role out of the program. You follow what I'm saying? Your profile should tell a story on why it makes sense for you to pursue an MBA and why you're going to be successful post MBA

 

Velit cumque mollitia veniam omnis et voluptatibus. Corrupti molestias asperiores qui ea expedita labore. Ut officiis nihil similique cumque nobis voluptatem quibusdam. Rerum qui laudantium maiores fugiat voluptatem. Qui excepturi et corrupti qui sunt at.

Iure consectetur id officia qui voluptatem sunt praesentium pariatur. Sit consequatur omnis vero a eligendi. Perferendis sequi omnis similique quibusdam quos eveniet laudantium. Qui dolore officia natus enim debitis nihil similique facilis. Asperiores nobis illum blanditiis laborum libero quia placeat. Ex quia tempora in iure quae laborum saepe consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”