Undergrad GPA: when do marginal returns diminish for MBA admission?

For example, I currently have a 3.85 from a semitarget, and could graduate with as low as a 3.81 or as high as a 3.87 depending on how much effort i put in my senior spring. Since my gpa will be at least acceptable either way, how much of a benefit would it be for MBA apps to be at a 3.87, for example, vs a 3.83? My intuition is that it shouldn't really matter at all, but what do i know

 

It's probably marginal that 3.87 over a 3.83 matters (it statistically doesn't), but I believe in always doing the best you can, so I would strive for the 3.87 and give yourself a nice reward when you hit that. Also, a 3.87 is a 3.9. A 3.83 is only a 3.8. Just sayin'.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Most Helpful

You're already ahead of the game for MBA average GPA. This will give you some wiggle room in your GMAT/GRE score. 

https://menlocoaching.com/top-mba-programs/average-gpa/

Top US Business Schools: Average GPA, 2017-2022

MBA Program 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017
Stanford 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7
Harvard Business School 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7
The Wharton School 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6
Northwestern Kellogg 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6
Chicago Booth 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6
Columbia Business School 3.6 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.5
MIT Sloan* 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.6 3.5 3.5
Dartmouth Tuck 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Berkeley Haas 3.6 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7
Virginia Darden 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Yale SOM* 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.7
Duke Fuqua** 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.5
Michigan Ross 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Lol, why did I always think the averages were higher? Feels nice to know you can have a 3.5 GPA and get into a good MBA.

 

Lol, why did I always think the averages were higher? Feels nice to know you can have a 3.5 GPA and get into a good MBA.

Yeah I think the avg GPA to get into IB is generally higher than the top 10 MBA program's avg GPA. 

Although, you don't just have to have a 3.5 GPA - you have to have good recommendations, a good GMAT, and demonstrated leadership potential. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

These GPAs will be dragged down by STEM majors and people with hooks (special background like minority, army, etc) 

These are in no way "average" for a normal applicant applying from IB/PE

 

Non illum aut tempore corrupti. Enim praesentium quod illo id ut.

Tenetur laudantium at aut dolorem corrupti neque. Quod dolor vitae neque quia perspiciatis dolor odio nihil.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”