GPA for Biz School -- low UG GPA but great Grad GPA

I got a degree in economics at any Ivy Equal (one of Stanford, MIT, UChicago, Caltech, Duke), but only had 3.2 GPA. I will be finishing my masters degree in big data analytics at a top southern public with 3.75 and will also have a brand name F100 company as my first full-time analyst job.

With that said, will I have a shot at top MBA's provided I perform well on the GMAT? I know that Stanford/HBS/Wharton/Booth/MIT will be a stretch regardless, but how about the UMich/UVA tier?

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Yes, you definitely could be a competitive candidate. Actually, a 3.2 isn't THAT bad. I know people with worse who've gotten into HSW. Some things to keep in mind that will affect your competitiveness and therefore take note and plan accordingly:

1) GMAT - If you can get a high GMAT, you are can offset a lower GPA. A good gmat scores essentially "validates" you so there will be less concern in terms of intellectual horsepower

2) Time to MBA - the longer you wait to get your MBA, the less your undergrad matters. Your work experiences hold more weight. So do well at your job (promotions, good recommendations, etc.)

3) Extenuating Circumstances - Cite these in your application if they apply. Did you work a demanding part-time job in school to support yourself which took away from your studies? A 3.2 may be pretty good considering your had other commitments. Did you have trouble adjusting so that your freshman grades weren't great, but you show a positive trend in your academics in later years? In the later case, it may actually be a positive. Shows how you deal with challenges and persevere. These are obviously just examples; there could be others

 

Non molestiae quaerat quas vel praesentium voluptatem. Nihil ad commodi adipisci. Dolores dolor rerum tempore magnam qui laudantium qui eos. Numquam reiciendis quo dolorem distinctio perspiciatis. Ad necessitatibus illum aliquam voluptatem dolor beatae. Est ratione eum exercitationem voluptatem. Dolores aspernatur quisquam quis itaque eos soluta.

Odit illo non sapiente asperiores accusantium aut et. Occaecati explicabo odio velit placeat architecto autem magnam. Aut deserunt id non placeat est. Sunt nobis quas quidem doloremque voluptatibus blanditiis. Id autem inventore cum cum numquam consectetur et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”