I know people say this a lot, but I'm not asking this question for my own benefit--I'm not even 23 yet and have no intention of getting my MBA in the near future. However, my co-worker is 27-years-old (maybe 28?)and he has had a fairly successful career in commercial real estate (he's a manager at my commercial real estate valuation firm). He told me he'd like to get an MBA to take his career to the next level (e.g. associate or something to that regard--not entirely clear what he wants--with a large real estate developer). However, he was bemoaning his college performance--he attended a large state university (think in terms of Virginia Tech, NC State, Clemson, Ohio State), and his GPA was around 2.5. I told him that I didn't think grades mattered as much for MBA programs as it did for economics doctorates or for law school. I gave him some hope and I hope it wasn't false hope.
Basically, does a person with a 2.5 GPA have any shot at all of getting into a top 25 MBA program (e.g. University of Maryland, Georgetown, etc.) either full-time or part-time or did I mislead him? Did I give him false hope? I feel really bad about this. Any thoughts?
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Shoot for a strong GMAT (700+), have great reasons to go to b-school (DO NOT mention that you just need it for promotion, they won't like it), know the school you are applying to, and write great essays on what you did at your job that makes you unique, outside the job that makes you unique. Try to stand out! Thinkg with the mindg of an adcom.
Don't know how high you want to aim but if you want to have a real career impact after your MBA experience, you will be better off if you (or your friend) apply to a program that is above #18 on the list below.
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/grad/ranki…
Good luck!
Wow, you're right. The quality of school drops off precipitously after #18. LOL. I don't even know what to tell the guy--I guess the consensus is that his GPA isn't a nail-in-the-coffin, but it may not even be worth it. Although, yeah, commercial real estate isn't as much about prestige (after all, the guy has been successful coming out of a large state university with bad grades). But it's something the guy should research lest I be liable for ruining his career.
I just don't know how a guy with 710 GMAT and a 2.5 GPA will be able to beat out other grads with stellar grades and equally high test scores, all else being equal (I guess if things AREN'T equal he could do it). Thanks.
I don't know, either.
I guess nothing's impossible, but your friend will need to find a way to make himself "stand out" (and I'm talking above and beyond the hard work required to demonstrate excellent performance at one's job, which most candidates should have), as well as a good bit of luck.
A 2.5 GPA is very often a deal breaker but can be alleviated by taking quant courses at a local university. Adcomms want to be certain that you have the intellectual prowess to succeed in an academic environment and a 2.5 GPA is not indicative of that ability. This is made worse by the fact that your friend didnt attend a top-tier university.
GPA is only one part of the application package but competition is strong at the top programs and you would have to put together a very strong package to compensate for a weak academic record.
I think you were overly optimistic with your boy but again nothing is impossible. Make sure his GMAT is well balanced (80%+ split on quant/verbal).
From your perspective, and with regards to the OP, I would not worry at all that you led him astray. What you told him is true, grades matter less for b-school than other post-graduate degrees, particularly as undergrad recedes further into your past. As others have noted too, he does have a genuine shot at top 25 (maybe top 15 or so with a good story and GMAT). Though the broad quality drops off after #18 or so, you still will find occasional gems for specific programs in the lower ranked schools. I know nothing about real estate, but some research might turn up some acceptable choices.
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