Lately, I have been noticing a ton of posts regarding the GMAT and MBA applications in general. Most of those who inquire about these topics are concerned their lower than average undergraduate GPA. The MBA admissions process for a candidate with a low GPA can be a trying time, but preparing yourself for this months, and even years ahead of time will take much of the pressure off. From my extensive research speaking with current MBA admissions professionals and admissions consultants, I have compiled a list of items to push your application to the top of the pile!
Things you can’t change now:
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate School
Internships
Undergraduate extracurricular activities
Forget about your slip ups on any of the above. It is a waste of time to worry and stress. It is over and cannot be fixed.
Things you can do now to better your application:
• GMAT: This is by far the most important item to make up for the poor GPA. Spend as much time as you can to prepare for this. Most people spend a month or two, but if it is necessary for you to spend 6 months or more to develop the skills to ace, take that time!
• Work experience: Get the best work experience as possible. This statement does not necessarily mean just shoot for BB IB or your screwed. Generally speaking, try to get the most quantitative position as possible.
• Recommendations: Current supervisor is the best recommendation to get. Past supervisors are okay to use if you are worried to speak to current for fear of losing job, but be sure to note that is the reason this supervisor was chosen. Recommendations from someone who knows you well and works with you will always trump superiority or a prestigious title. These letters are often generic and less insightful. Also, send the number of letters asked for by university, no more, no less. Additionally, do not use a college professor.
• Alternative transcript: Take classes at a local university of community college in quantitative classes to show you are able to handle the rigor of classes.
• Leadership: Show leadership in your career and in the community. I have actually heard adcoms say investment banking does not provide many leadership opportunities, which is a negative in their eyes.
• Volunteering: Be involved in the community and make a difference. This will also help in the essay sections.
• Certifications: CFA and other certifications will show some quantitative background and discipline.
• Essays: Spend solid time on these, and try to tailor the essays to each school, don’t just copy and paste. Provide a compelling story for why you are the right candidate and right fit.
• Visit school and attend events: This will show you are serious about business school and more specifically the MBA program at that university.
Taking these steps will show you are serious about business school and hopefully the right candidate. Does anyone else have any other tips or questions? Any personal experiences?
Just as a basic question what do you think most top MBA programs would quantify a GPA as "low"
So your take on recommendation letters is to avoid anyone from your undergraduate career? Open to responses from anyone on here..
I ask because I was TA for the chair of my school's mgmt department for several years and always thought a recommendation from him would be seen as favorable.
I was on a webinar last night with adcoms formerly from Wharton, Kellogg, and somewhere else. They specifically said to not use people from your college days. They want you to have recommenders that are more recent. If you are coming staright out of undergrad or only have one year of experience, perhaps this rule does not apply? But if you have 3-6 years of work experience, they want to see your current supervisors recommendation. They stated if you cannot obtain that, they would be worried that your current supervisor probably would not write you a good letter.
is there a GPA limit that is 'no coming back'. For example, 2.6 and you have no shot, or is it like 2.8, or is it lower? etc
Accepted into both Booth and Kellogg. 2.7 UG GPA in liberal arts at top 20 undergrad. 730 gmat. I'm proof that its possible but its a definite hustle. need to have strong work experience, a clear need for an MBA at that specific school and a strong long term plan. Don't underestimate the impact of the essays and interview. most interviewers dont review the application prior to the interview so you walk in with a resume, they have no idea about your GPA and you can really make an impact on your candidacy. CRUSH the essays, craft a rock solid story and candidate profile. getting into these schools is more than just stats, its how you fit into the cohort and can help the students around you. Form a relationship with the schools: visit the schools, attend info sessions, meet personally with adcoms, meet with students (I had current 2 students and an alum personally email adcom at Kellogg on my behalf). Also, make sure you pick your recommenders carefully and sit down and walk them through everything about your candidacy so they can really focus on how you've overcome any past weaknesses. feel free to PM with any specifics.
Good stuff KRW. I forgot to mention the interview, didn't want to be too presumptious!
^ That is some true hustle and really motivates me. Major congrats!
Dang, hustle and hustle hard. I might message you down the road when my GMAT is closer and/or done to see where I stand.
Is there a comprehensive list of top b-schools, like 1-100 or something along those lines?
Do adcoms view the tougher majors in a different lens? Do they take into account that Science/Engineering degrees , especially at the top schools are graded on a separate curve? A 3.0 in EE and a 3.0 in History don't exactly signal the same thing .
Makes me feel a bit better
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