Low GPA Future B School

Question

Hello!!! I am new to this forum (first post) - so please excuse me if this goes in a particular section and not in Off-Topic.

My Background: 
I am 22 years old. 
Graduated with a BSc in Finance from a very small non-target school with a GPA of 3.15 at the age of 20. My GPA is extremely low due to having unrealistic goals.
1) Graduating at the age of 20 by taking on 7-8 classes a semester (wonder how I got the approval from my advisor). 
2) Financial struggles - Had to work full-time to help with loans and my family. I took on huge amount of school work and full-time job and did terribly in college (Avg 5-6 hours sleep due to the work load). 
I am also enlisted in the Army National Guard.
During college I interned at a top 3 BB (GS/JPM/MS) in Ops, Finance at a top 5 hospital, Ops at a top 5 Asset Management Firm.
I pursued FT at the top 3 BB for 1 1/2 years. Currently at a government contractor in Finance (Been 3 months).

Future goals:  I want to pursue an MBA (concentration in finance) at a top 10 B-School (globally) to expand my knowledge and also my current network.

Why top 10?  It has always been my dream, plus the access to amazing faculty, alumni, peers and the career services.

Clearly I am not getting admitted to a top 10 MBA with just a 3.15 GPA from a small school.

My Plans to over come the low GPA: 
I have taken practice GMAT multiple times and have been scoring 720-730. Yet to take a final. 
Increasing my work-experience by 3-4 more years at my current firm. 
Sitting for the CFA L1 in December.
I am also admitted to a top 15 global university (US News ranking) in the Msc in Applied Economics.

Questions: 
Given I achieve my GMAT in my target range, are my goals of attending a top 10 B-School with my above plans reasonable? 
Am I doing too much? CFA and Msc in Applied Econ.
Am I doing too little? What else can I do. 
Am I taking on too much work again with full-time job/Msc/CFA.

How would you over come my situation with a low GPA and the background provided?

Thanks!!!

*Sorry if this belong in a different section, or if the question doesn't flow well.

bb · Answer

Hi and welcome to GMAT Club!

You never can do enough for a top 10 program but you can do too much, esp if things are a bit chaotic. You can explain your GPA in the optional essay and I think it will be considered by the AdCom; however, having a small school as your undergrad with that GPA will have an impact and detriment. You would ideally show professional growth in your career- good career trajectory.

I could not get a sense from your WE how it worked out esp if you are a gov contractor at the moment. I don't know enough about your field but that's something to watch.

CFA - that helps with showing that you are serous about your Financial focus and your plans. Hopefully that also helps with your professional career track. It is probably not worth it just for admissions. Lots of people have CFA and it does not really make a difference unless it fits a story.

MS Econ - not sure where that came from. Why? Just to cover your undergrad GPA? How does it fit int your picture?

Your age - you are quite young, just 22. It sounds like you are pretty mature but I would guess most Adcom members would either need to see a very strong career track or would want you to get a bit more full time post college experience, closer to 4 years would be ideal.

GMAT - since you have a low GPA, you may want to consider shooting for a high score and setting your sights on 760. It won't impress anyone in the Top 10 but it will demonstrate your academic abilities and help cover up the GPA a bit. You are still young, should be much easier for you to get there than for us old folks

Also, it may give you a choice of a Top 20 with a scholarship vs. Top 10 without.

HqLife · Answer

Hello bb, thanks for responding!

I was in Ops at GS/JPM/MS for 1 1/2 year and did not really enjoy my work, especially with terrible management. I am now at Lockheed/Northrop/Raytheon (one of the three in Finance. Ops followed a basic career path 3 years Analyst, Associate, Director. My current employment does not follow the traditional path, as you come in as a Analyst and be at a higher level compared to a director (known as band levels). This also fits as I am part of the military and have the DoD background.

I pursued CFA for two reasons. 1) Being in Ops at the time when I signed up, I believed it would be a way for me to enter in the AM/IM division to advance my career. 2) I had planned on doing MBA in the future and thought CFA would help over look the GPA and my strengthen my background in Finance.

I believe that I could've done better in my UG and my GPA of 3.15 does not reflect it, and so I decided to pursue an Msc to cover for it. 
Why Applied Econ? I am from the DC area and this would largely help me understand how practical theories and solutions can be added to solve issues in any industry. It is basically additional knowledge that will tie with my current finance background to make decisions at my job now, in MBA, or post-MBA position.

I only have 2 years experience, and I am aiming for at least 4 more. If everything works out as planned (let's hope), I would be looking at CFA L3, Msc in AE, with 5 years WE before applying to MBA.

Currently I am hitting the 720 mark with practice, I am definitely working hard to up the score as much as possible.

Also your post on Brand vs. Scholarship has definitely given me an idea on what I should look forward to and what to choose if that situation arises.

bb · Answer

I don't think anyone can fault you for planning this far out!

Your GPA is a bit of a liability but I don't think you need all these things to overcome it. When someone tries too hard, it makes people feel a little suspicious... you know what I mean? I think both your CFA and MSc should come naturally. It is great you have this energy/time/drive all while studying for the GMAT - that's amazing. I would channel it and focus it towards your career and things you are passionate about. If you are worried, hire an admissions consultant for $250-500 and get them do an in-depth evaluation/SWOT analysis and give you some tips about what would be the best next steps for the GPA. Perhaps it is a Masters Degree but it may be in Biology or perhaps in Data Analytics or something else. You may get some promotions at work or join a startup and never do an MBA. I just want you to use your resources/energy/time well and get much more tangible and immediate benefit.

HqLife · Answer

I completely understand how It might look to the Adcom and pointing that out.

I am waiting on taking my GMAT until the time comes to apply. I do not want to take the GMAT so early while also focusing on multiple things and running into the same issue as my UG.

Do you think I should keep going with my plan, or possibly doing CFA or Masters (choosing one)? If so, which one would you rather do?

I was accepted to the same institution as my current Msc in AE for MS in Data Science. Unfortunately, due to really lacking quant background (Cal 2-3, multivariable algebra, coding), I was required to take on 6 pre-reqs to gain full admission. Looking at additional $35,000 + $50000 for the actual program. I believed that Msc in Applied Econ was a great substitute for a lower price. Plus, the institution is good in Econ program (horrible in business), but also a top #15 Global Uni (US News). Correct me if I am wrong, I believed that a terrible GPA from a small non-target vs. A good GPA in Msc from a top #15 global would look way better.

I will be planning on working with a consultant as time comes to better evaluate my achievements at the time I plan on attending.

bb · Answer

You don't have to use a consultant by the way - many people get in by leveraging friends, current students, and that's basically the same. As long as you can convince someone to read your essays, you are basically getting the same benefit.

It seems an expensive undertaking to pay $50K for a degree you will only need as a cover for your undergrad and other indirect benefits. That was my suggestion for a gut/direction check with a consultant. Spend $500 before plunking down $50,000. Kind of like a doctor could not recommend you treatment without seeing you (at least mine refuses to), the same is here - I am concerned advising you without seeing the full picture.

HqLife · Answer

I did have a conversation with a consultant and they have the same PoV as yourself. They did help me understand that a high GMAT score (750+) is most likely going to help the Adcomm to overlook the low GPA, as long as I explain my story in the essays. They did provide me with alternatives to the Masters degree (online courses else where) for cheaper than the $50k bill.

I do not like the idea of solely relying on a high GMAT score, so I will be pursuing the alternatives and look at other ways to enhance my profile.

I definitely appreciate you for recommending me to get a consultant.

Thanks!

bb · Answer

Wow. That was a quick turn around. Glad you got come concrete feedback and actionable items.

PS. Nothing wrong with having multiple contingency plans. I understand your discomfort. You can search for low GPA success stories here and see if the discussion inspires you with any other ideas

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