Hey guys,

I'm new to the GMAT club forum and I saw a few posts on getting into quality MBA programs with low GPAs.

I studied general business administration at what was ranked as the Top 3 universities in Asia recently. So, it's just general business with no specified major(i.e., finance, accounting, information systems, etc.).

Since I've just graduated it would be great if you guys could give me some guidance on what I should do from now on in order to increase my chances of getting into a quality MBA program. I don't have a solid reason why my grades were this low, mainly because of a lack of motivation towards my studies.

I was quite active in participating in the extra-curricular activities during university and whenever I show recruiters my CV (without showing my grades) they are quite impressed. Nonetheless, without a great GPA many MNCs wouldn't have me regardless of my accolades. Therefore finding a job within a reputable company would be tough. At least that's my perception.

I need some help in planning what I should do in the next 3 years to increase my chances in getting into top tier MBA programs (correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression that Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and other top tier US programs are out of the question. I read a forum of someone with a 1.9 GPA getting into Insead and Oxford university MBA.)

How should i structure my extra-curriculars during this 3 year period? Since I doubt I'd be able to get into MNCs, how should I structure my career to get into better MBA programs? I understand that it should be career specific, I'm interested in getting into management consulting after my MBA cause now it would be tough with my grades.

Thanks in advance

Thank you for replying Kimberly!



With a high GMAT score and some of the recommendations below, which MBA programs shall I have a greater chance in being admitted to given my GPA?




You mean apply for courses at community colleges? I was weaker at quantitative courses like REALLY bad. I'm embarrassed to say this but I failed a few quantitative courses and was on the verge of being expelled from college until I increased my GPA which I did. But that was more out of poor discipline.


What GMAT score should I aim for at a minimum?



So for example if I want to work in a management consultancy firm after my MBA should I focus on research on topics like strategic management, risk advisory? But why would those professors, authors, research analysts, etc want to work with me given my grades? Is free an enough of an incentive to let them let me work for them? Maybe it is But if I want to get into banking I suppose I'm not too sure whether or not the professors would let me do research with them given I have not much background in finance...



Where I live in Asia, 1 on 1 tutoring is very common. Or do you mean tutor students at community colleges in the subject that I did well at? Again, I believe this should be related to my desired future career right?



That is a great idea!I've not heard that they allow students to save these recommendation letters on the academic dean's office. I'll ask my counselor about this. Should I ask them not to include the date in the recommendation letter to make it more relevant in the future?

Thanks a lot!

Thanks for the reply Machichi. What kind of "professional impact" are they looking for?

What kind of work experience do you have? I thought it would be difficult to get work experience in a big company with a 2.7.

I'm into affiliate marketing and would like to work in that field. It should be different from most applicants and would probably help me stand out.

I think you need to:
1. Smash the GMAT i.e. get it to within or better than the target schools' 80% GMAT range.
2. Build an alternate transcript that addresses your weakness(es), with good results.

Career-wise pre-MBA, it will be tough to secure a solid job at MNCs/IBs/Consulting firms, though. Whatever it is you end up in, you need to show good progress through promotions/awards/etc.