Low GPA, MBA Chance
Hi All,
Looking for commentary on my chances to applying to top MBA programs. I am looking to transition into IB.
GMAT: 770 (Q51 V45)
Age/Gender/Race: 27,M,Caucasian
WE: 5 years upon matriculation - I am a front-end software engineer (at a start-up for first two years). I actually self-taught myself HTML, CSS, Javascript, jQuery, and node.js while in high school. For the last three years, I have been at a major F500 company, working on the E-commerce platform of the business. I am one of two front-end software engineers within the E-commerce sector - we are more or less the two most likely individuals to manage site content.
I have done substantially well in my latter role. Within 6 months of transitioning to this role, I received a major employee recognition award that is bestowed upon only one individual two to three times a year. The recipient of this award is selected from the entire E-commerce team, which is comprised roughly of 1,500 employees. The traits for the award recipient are what you would expect: leadership skills, perseverance, creativity, ingenuity, assiduousness, etc. I don't want to go into more details about this but I have, and was given, plenty of legitimate examples that justify my reception of this award.
Another important accomplishment in this role: I more or less added a major apparatus to the E-commerce site. Technically, I wasn't the only one involved on this, but I am the one who initiated the idea and proved to my managers that this was:
a) relatively feasible from a front-end/technical/operations perspective
b)a viable apparatus to increase revenue
Over the next several weeks, I worked with a team of about 8 others (mostly back-end software engineers, some project managers) to finalize this apparatus and deploy it to our site. It has been statistically proven that this one apparatus, which facilitates customer journeys on the site, has yielded a 20% increase in revenue (on an average day) for products sold on our site. So while I wasn't the only one responsible for this materializing, were it not for my impromptu suggestion and leader of this project, this dramatic increase in revenue would not have taken shape.
My manager has told me that I am among the most diligent and productive employees she has ever worked with and that she will re-affirm that in the recommendation that she will write.
Why I want to transition to IB: I have always been interest in finance, economics, and markets in general, but my interest in IB really kicked into high gear about 1-2 years ago when our company was part of a very large-scale merger with another world-renowned company. This merger was literally the talk of Wall Street, and ever since it was announced, I have actively researched, listened to, and read commentary reading this merger and any other major financial transactions that banks are advising.
GPA: 2.54, Economics - Top 20 University
Yes, I know - it sucks. TOTALLY sucks. I'm ashamed, but I feel as though I've done well in my professional life in spite of it. Not trying to make excuses, but I wasn't out partying and getting wasted all the time; I declared my major at the end of sophomore year. So I literally had to overload on econ classes for my remaining semesters (very often took 4-5 ec classes per semester thereafter).
If it is significant at all, most of the courses I did poorly in were stupid liberal arts core requirements (Race in America, for example), or very high level econ classes (Econometrics). I actually did somewhat better (usually a solid B) in core mathematical classes (Chemistry I - B, Stats - B, Micro-Econ - B, Calc I, II - B) - so not terrible, but not amazing either. I am not sure if adcoms will look at this any more favorably...
To try and prove that I am not as stupid as my GPA suggests, I have taken two courses I did poorly in through UCLA Extension - got A's in both.
Extracurricular Activities: Some involvement in local chapters of major, national organizations over the last few years, but I can't say I have any "leadership" titles in this area - trying to work on this right now.
Other: Enjoy oil painting, have painted 20+ landscapes, portraits, etc. in the last few years. Just another extra tidbit I feel I should share.
Schools:
Tepper
Mcdonough
UNC
Cornell Johnson
All these schools place decently in IB. How does this list look? Is it reasonable? Should I add another safety or two? Could I even shoot higher? Honestly not too sure as I have rarely seen someone as much of a super-splitter as me.
Thanks!
MBAplease,
Your 770 (congrats!), recent A's, and work experience will go a long way towards mitigating the impact of that GPA. But it is still really low.
A few suggestions:
For more on getting accepted with a low GPA, please see 5 A's for Your Low GPA.
You may want to add a stretch or two as well -- consider Booth and NYU Stern. Best, Linda
Thank you for your comment Linda! Any reason you suggest adding those two schools (Duke and UT) to my list? From what I’ve heard, they are not as low-GPA friendly as other schools ranked 11-20. Thanks again!
You're welcome.
I suggested them because they have some strength in terms of placement in banking and courses that support that goal. 11% of Duke MBA grads went into IB 9% and 18% of UT's grads went into financial services with 9% going into IB. I realize that's not a investment banking powerhouse, but I think it's strong enough to be added to your list.
I'm not sure if I would agree with that assessment of Duke and UT. Take a look at Accepted's Bschool Selectivity Index, , which ranks schools by selectivity and provides average GPA, average GMAT, US News ranking, and acceptance rate and allows you to sort by those factors. There is a bunching of schoola ranked by USN between 15 and 35 with an average GPA of 3.48-3.52 . In that range of ranking, you're not talking about a meaningful distinction in GPA.
Anyway, that was my reasoning. Hope this helps.
Best, Linda
Thanks Linda - I will take a look at those schools. Bumping this. Any other opinions?
I echo most of what Linda shared. However, having spent ~10 years on adcom at Duke, I know Duke does not look kindly on GPA's that are below 3.0. I'm also not sure that taking additional classes and getting As will add incremental value - but that depends on which courses you already took.
I would add Darden to your list. When visiting the school last month during the AIGAC conference, they noted that they do not have sufficient supply of students looking to go into IB to meet the demand from recruiters.
For some insight on overcoming a low GPA, see 2.7 GPA - Showstopper for an MBA?
Wishing you the best on your MBA application journey. Susan
As somebody who just applied to several of these schools, I would echo susan.cera and her Duke sentiment--they seem far more forgiving (than peers) of a low GMAT, not so much GPA. Darden perhaps the opposite, and the GPA ranges seem to reflect that.
Pulled from Poets and Quants, GPA Ranges:
Darden 2.1-4.0 Cornell 2.36-4.0 NYU 2.81-4.0 UNC 2.90-3.79
Unfortunately Duke's listed range is the 80% 3.1-3.9, so can't be directly compared to the above which I believe are full ranges.
I think your general list is spot on, and an app toward Darden/Stern is worthwhile and not an overreach, just more of a wildcard. You crushed the GMAT and that's the best you can do as the past is the past. That's a huge benefit in addition to your undergrad being Top 20 in a moderately difficult major. I would focus hard on UNC/Cornell as realistic and strong in IB.
Like susan.cera also mentioned, IB is not as crowded as it used to be, so any of these schools should give you a solid shot. I heard second hand recently that Vandy (Owen) had a record IB internship class this year, maybe give them a look too along with Emory. Perhaps drop Tepper from the list.
Thanks, was considering looking into Darden. Does GMAT play any role with regards to recruiting for I-banks? Will firms, such as bb’s give me an extra look if I have the 770 on my resume? Thanks again, glad to hear it is a reasonable list.
From what I have been told, they like to see a "7" in front, and anything 750+ stands out. Won't make or break anything, but it's just another data point they can look too and see that you are intellectually capable (770 should leave no doubt!)
On the other hand, it's much more about the networking and fit aspect throughout the long recruiting process. 770 surely stands out on the resume and as a screening mechanism but the majority will come down to the interactions throughout the fall.
Investment banks do look at your GMAT score. A 770 will be a nice bonus!
I'd echo much of the above. It won't get you an auto ding but the rest of your application really needs to shine. You can devote a paragraph to explaining personal difficulties and the overload when you apply.
Your work experience is the real question mark in my opinion. Adcoms may not be as familiar with your path and will really question whether it ticks the box. The accolades are fine but hard to put in context. Can you articulate a clear history of growth, including promotions, and where you have excelled in leadership positions? I don't typically recommend a consultant but in your case you may need support in crafting a story.
While those schools place in IB, you will also need to clearly articulate how your experience will translate to interviewers on campus. Schools will read through the lines on this, they care about employment statistics. Having an interest isn't a compelling differentiator. I'd try to craft a story relevant to IB in your industry for a more targeted approach.
The CFA would definitely help craft the IB story and bridge the gap, but it takes a long time. Level I isn't a differentiator. Level II is somewhat of one. If you consider this path, be prepared to overload on CFA prep for Level I in Dec, Level II in June, and then apply next year when you have a more compelling case. This leaves time for Level III the next June if you want to finish before school. Be forewarned - it is a killer prep process, you have to make personal sacrifices, and pass rates are low. I'd plan for 300 hours of prep for Level I with no relevant background and 400 for Level II. The upside is it will help you understand if you're really interested in finance. Little overlap for the day-to-day of IB but it will help you talk the talk.
Finally, you will need killer recommendations. Would your supervisors support business school?
thanks @BreakingOutOfPWM, while I haven't technically had a "promotion" in the three years here, I have taken on plenty of leadership roles in my position - my boss, who is writing my recommendation, plans to highlight many of them. Will consider CFA.
I would think a fair number of software developers go to bschool and a fair amount of them are targeting financial services, am I incorrect in that assumption?
Some things to think about when considering a [CFA and MBA.][]
Also, does it hurt or help me that I do not have a finance/IB/PE/HF background? I would think being a part of that group would put me in a tough place because it is generally a highly competitive group with high stats...
Dont think you did that badly! It was just adjusting and finding what your interests lies in, keeping building on this momentum and dont look back.
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