{"id":33534,"date":"2016-06-26T23:08:36","date_gmt":"2016-06-27T06:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=33534"},"modified":"2016-07-27T15:34:57","modified_gmt":"2016-07-27T22:34:57","slug":"mba-admissions-tip-dealing-with-a-low-gpa-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/mba-admissions-tip-dealing-with-a-low-gpa-3\/","title":{"rendered":"MBA Admissions Tip: Dealing with a Low GPA"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Listen<\/a>
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Just prove that you have the ability to excel in your target MBA programs.<\/p>\n

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Explaining a\u00a0<\/span>low GPA<\/span><\/a>\u00a0can be difficult and it requires you to examine your GPA\u2019s trend. <\/span><\/p>\n

3 Scenarios<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scenario A \u2013 3.0 GPA, upward trend<\/strong><\/p>\n

You goofed off for your first few semesters and didn\u2019t weigh the consequences. You failed some classes and started out with an embarrassingly low GPA not because of lack of ability, but because of immaturity. Mid-sophomore year you wised up and continuously hit above the 3.8 mark for the rest of your undergraduate career.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scenario B \u2013 3.0 GPA, downward trend<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your college experience started out with a motivated streak of genius \u2013 three solid 4.0 semesters in a row. But then\u2026things took a turn towards apathy and laziness and your grades began to suffer significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scenario C \u2013 3.0 GPA, static<\/strong><\/p>\n

You work hard, but not too hard. You take some classes seriously, and some not so much. You never really cared about school or grades to really put the effort in. A few years out of school and a life-changing career move have motivated you to new heights and you want to apply to b-school<\/a>. But now you need to deal with a less-than-impressive record.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interpreting Our Scenarios<\/strong><\/p>\n

The student in Scenario A<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b>doesn\u2019t really have too much to worry about (unless he\u2019s applying to a\u00a0<\/span>top MBA program<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>for which a 3.0 GPA is a significant hurdle). Many students early in their college careers have a couple of bad semesters because of immaturity. Your grades went up, proving your capabilities and your increased maturity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scenario B\u2019s student\u00a0<\/strong>is in a bit more of a bind. She\u2019s proved her abilities by acing those first few semesters, but why the dramatic downturn? Did things get too difficult for her? Does she have trouble performing under pressure? Or does she just not care about improving and perfecting her academic capabilities?<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem of mediocrity looms over\u00a0<\/span>Scenario C\u2019s student<\/strong>.<\/strong> This student will need to prove his skill level if he wants to be considered for a spot in the next MBA class.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recovery Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Student A<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b>doesn\u2019t need to prove ability as much as motivation and seriousness, which he may have already proven with his last few years of work. He may want to ask one of his\u00a0<\/span>recommenders<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>to vouch for his maturity and steadfastness. A high GMAT\/GRE score will help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Student B<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b>will need to enroll in some college courses to prove her verbal and\/or quantitative abilities (especially if her test\u00a0scores weren\u2019t so great). She\u2019ll want to make sure her essays express her newfound motivation as well as her keen writing abilities.\u00a0<\/span>Her essays<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>should include clear anecdotes that illustrate how she\u2019s matured since her last few semesters and how her skills should be judged based on recent work experience, rather than past college experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Student C\u00a0<\/strong>is in a similar boat as Student B. He\u2019ll want to retake some of his math and English courses and he\u2019ll want to get solid A\u2019s this time. B\u2019s and C\u2019s just won\u2019t cut it if he wants to prove he\u2019s b-school material. Strong essays and letters of recommendation will also boost Student C\u2019s chances of acceptance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding Your Unique Scenario<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course many of you will not be like Students A, B, or C. Your grade dive may have resulted from illness or family crisis or circumstances beyond your control. Or perhaps steady, mediocre grades resulted from your working 20-30 hours per week to support yourself through school. There are many other scenarios too. The key is to prove that <\/span>today you have the ability to excel in your target MBA programs<\/strong> and that the circumstances that contributed to the poor marks in college no longer affect you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moral of the story:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>A single low number can be explained or put in a less damaging context with hard work and a solid application strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n