How would you pitch in a low undergrad GPA and a top grad GPA during B-School App
I will be applying to B-schools shortly and I have a question that I am trying to get some help on.
How do I pitch for a extremely low GPA 2.5 and a top GPA during my grad (4.0/4.0) during the B school application process.
This is pretty much the only negative factor on my app and rest all look good so far.
Any scenarios/sugestions on how to pitch this during the app? Honestly speaking I will have to carve a story and I need some help.
It would be ideal if someone who has a similar profile and got an admit from a top 10 school could share some experience..
Also, is there are such a thing where I can buy past/sample B-school application packages to sneak in for some insight???
Thanks for your help in advance.
Just to make sure I got this right, you already have a graduate degree, but you want to apply to an MBA program? First of all, what is the truth? Did you not apply yourself in undergrad? Did you choose a really tough major? I think it's usually best to use the real story, and tell it in such a way that puts you in the best light possible.
I do have a graduate degree in computer science from a good school and now I am planning on switching careers from Technology & Business Ops to Mgmt. Consulting, and for that reason, I need an MBA.
My undegrad was in engineering too and wasn't too hard but it wasn't easy as well. It was just that I did not take it very seriously ..and was more involved in my parents' business..which took away a significant portion of my time.
Now my struggle is how do I pitch it in a professional and logical way to ensure that the low gpa impact is minimized? I am sure if I share the truth, it won't fly as it sounds like I couldn't manage competing priorities.
Any thoughts?
note your family business parts, and hope that your grad institution is at least as good as your undergrad location.
How did you get into good school with atrocious undergrad GPA?
Talk about how that was the case as an undergraduate but since then you have been able to excel in your graduate program, full time work, and anything else you did at the same time as the graduate degree. How long did it take you to complete the degree? If you finished it very fast with high course loads, that once again shows your ability to balance large amounts of work.
Your undergraduate GPA should be a mixture of both your competing priorities with ECs and your self-admitted lack of drive. Get your point across that you have 'grown up' since then and have been kicking ass and taking names ever since.
I agree with Gecko. Also, add in the part about working for the family business.
I would agree with the above. The important thing isn't your poor GPA, but showing, through your essays and hard stats since then, that you have matured, learned from your mistakes and have since and are still working hard, doing very well and constantly improving. Additionally, you will want to make sure your GMAT is in the 700s to further take the focus off of your U Grad GPA. A strong GMAT and your Grad GPA, coupled with some solid essays, and the rest of the mix, should show you in a pretty good light and you'd be competitive.
Additionally, I would not make excuses for your poor GPA, but definitely site other reasons outside of your lack of drive/focus - work, ECs, choosing a difficult program to compliment the difficult major, etc. Check out this article for more on writing B school essays, including the Optional essay:
http://www.bankonbanking.com/2009/07/11/applying-to-business-school-par…
Good luck.
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I know this forum is stale but would appreciate your feedback on either of my posts to IB or b school forum. Your advice is appreciated thanks
Double...I didn't even click submit twice.
How did you get admitted to your grad program at a good school? They must have interviewed you and asked about your undergrad GPA, right? What did you say?
EXACTLY! I was going to ask the same question!
A good grad program isn't a "great" grad program. For example--I got my MS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Dayton--a good grad program. They didn't look twice at my 2.9 GPA--but I sure as shit wasn't getting into a Stanford engineering program.
I had a terrible undergrad GPA and addressed it head on when I applied to B schools, usually in the optional essay sections. Anyway, to be honest it really wasn't that big of a deal. I was just honest about it, my GPA was a reflection of a lack of direction, motivation, immaturity, etc and a lot has changed since I was 19 yrs old. I was in Marine Corps and left as a Co Commander (in charge of 200 Marines) so I had tangible proof that I meant what I said about maturing and knowing exactly what I want in life and how my undergrad GPA is not a reflection of my true academic potential. NONE of the schools even asked me about it. The only schools I didn't get into ( waitlisted actually) said it was my GMAT and asked that I retake it. So get a high GMAT score, be honest and upfront about your undergrad follies and move on, if you have a compelling story (biggest factor) and a high GMAT, then it's not a deal breaker in my experience. GMAT score is definitely more important than undergrad GPA's that's for sure.
I am green to the whole finance field so I'm here to ask how did u manage to get into a top tire graduate program with a low bachelor gpa?????? I'm facing this problem and considering switching career so I don't get stuck up with my gpa since this field needs that
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