Any chance for a top mba?

Question

Hi everyone,

I hope you are doing well. I am aware that many people ask similar questions, yet I would like to get some feedback on my specific case. I'll try making things short and crisps to save you time.

Details about myself:

Age: 32
Race: Born in Germany, Middle Eastern Roots
Undergraduate GPA: 2.75 / 4.0 (2.5 in German Scheme, it is difficult to convert it into GPA) from a German University in Business Administration
Graduate GPA: 4.0 / 4.0 from a world rank < 100 b-school in the UK (in Finance)
WE: around 4 years - Fortune 500 Consulting Firm in M&A (not Investment Banking)
Volunteering: University Ambassador, Head of Finance within a University Society, planning to join the "Joblinge" program which entails helping people from disadvantageous backgrounds to obtain jobs within Germany.
GMAT aim: 720 - 750
Career goals after MBA: Investment Banking (as an associate)

So, since I am afraid that my undergraduate gpa is too low and my age too high to get accepted to a top b-school, I would like to share some personal details about myself. Again, I'll try to make it short, yet I would like to share my situation / story with you guys not to get your pity or make a share a sob story, I would just like to get some honest feedback from people who are more experienced about the b-school admissions:

I am the first person in my family that obtained a high school or an university degree. My dad was a cab driver and my mum never worked. Unfortunately, my older brother quit high-school and never worked either. One month before starting my undergraduate degree, my father passed away and my mother developed schizophrenia, which made studying and dedicating myself towards my studies a pain in the butt. After graduating I did my masters in the UK and managed to graduate with distinction (4.0 GPA).

To elevate my career I would now like to enter a top mba program. I am certain that I can get a GMAT of around 720 - 750. Yet, I am rather unsure wether I have a chance to get into one of the top mba program due to my low gpa and high age. Thus, I would highly appreciate, if any of could give me some honest feedback.

Thanks in advance.

Best wishes,
Ali

yashikaaggarwal · Answer

You are a brave warrior. I am sure you will end up doing great for yourself.
MBA classes are more than just age and GPA, so don't worry.
To get a better profile evaluation, ARINGO could you help us out here?

Show Spoiler

Hi everyone,

I hope you are doing well. I am aware that many people ask similar questions, yet I would like to get some feedback on my specific case. I'll try making things short and crisps to save you time.

Details about myself:

Age: 32
Race: Born in Germany, Middle Eastern Roots
Undergraduate GPA: 2.75 / 4.0 (2.5 in German Scheme, it is difficult to convert it into GPA) from a German University in Business Administration
Graduate GPA: 4.0 / 4.0 from a world rank < 100 b-school in the UK (in Finance)
WE: around 4 years - Fortune 500 Consulting Firm in M&A (not Investment Banking)
Volunteering: University Ambassador, Head of Finance within a University Society, planning to join the "Joblinge" program which entails helping people from disadvantageous backgrounds to obtain jobs within Germany.
GMAT aim: 720 - 750
Career goals after MBA: Investment Banking (as an associate)

So, since I am afraid that my undergraduate gpa is too low and my age too high to get accepted to a top b-school, I would like to share some personal details about myself. Again, I'll try to make it short, yet I would like to share my situation / story with you guys not to get your pity or make a share a sob story, I would just like to get some honest feedback from people who are more experienced about the b-school admissions:

I am the first person in my family that obtained a high school or an university degree. My dad was a cab driver and my mum never worked. Unfortunately, my older brother quit high-school and never worked either. One month before starting my undergraduate degree, my father passed away and my mother developed schizophrenia, which made studying and dedicating myself towards my studies a pain in the butt. After graduating I did my masters in the UK and managed to graduate with distinction (4.0 GPA).

To elevate my career I would now like to enter a top mba program. I am certain that I can get a GMAT of around 720 - 750. Yet, I am rather unsure wether I have a chance to get into one of the top mba program due to my low gpa and high age. Thus, I would highly appreciate, if any of could give me some honest feedback.

Thanks in advance.

Best wishes,
Ali

Posted from my mobile device

pintukr · Answer

With a 720-750 score, you will be in the league of approximately 95+ percentile. Can easily meet cut-of for top colleges.

bb · Answer

Hi  AliOslam  - would you be applying in the Fall 2023 or are you trying to shoot for R3? Seems R3 would be too hard to make but just curious.

About age and GPA - it is not so much the age but work experience that matters. You mentioned 4 years of work experience. Did you have military service or school work or you have more work experience? If you had military service or a masters or a PhD, only your work exp is considered so you would be "26" in eyes of the adcom if you only have 4 years

As to GPA, your graduate GPA would be potentially considered and you can always address your reasons for UG GPA you received 10 years ago. However, it is good you are thinking about your weaknesses. One of the considerations (if you indeed have 8+ years of work experience) could be applying to programs specifically focusing on applicants like that - Stanford MSX or Sloan Fellows (MIT). Both are 1-year FT programs with very strong brands... but that's if you have extensive work experience rather than just 4 years.

Admissionado · Answer

AliOslam :

If you can get into that 720-750, GMAT range I think you will have a puncher's chance at a some good schools. Undergraduate GPA and age are tricky factors. They can weigh heavily in the admissions process or they can simply be data points that can be counterbalanced by other (stronger) components of your application. It's a bit of a black box so no one here can say definitively one way or another.

Lastly, what do you consider to be a top MBA program? That's a highly subjective description. Either way, you would be wise to hedge. Apply to some "top" programs as well as more target/safety schools to give yourself some viable options.

Let us know if we can help,
Admissionado

MyMBAPath · Answer

You might have more than a fighting chance but getting a strong GMAT will indeed be very important. Here is all you need to know about the role of the GPA and how to overcome it.

While you are studying for your GMAT, get on the schools's radar - start your school engagement.

Start thinking about the MBA admissions process holistically - you need to act on all the parts.

As a fellow European, I can tell you that the hardest part for European candidates applying to top programs, especially in the US, is how to balance confidence with humility. If you want to talk about any of that, schedule a time for us to chat: https://www.mymbapath.com/free-consultation

ARINGO · Answer

Hi Ali, Shimri from ARINGO here I will try to make it short. You have a great profile and I see no reason not to apply to top MBAs (once you have a good GMAT)! Your GPA doesn't sound too low in German terms if you studied in a good school, and as you have a master's with a great 4.0 from the UK and a reasonable GMAT => these will help the schools understand you are "academic enough" for them. Your professional experience with 4 years in a Fortune 500 company in M&A sounds super interesting and relevant (and if you have had promotions, worked with international teams and had some managerial experiences, then even more relevant!) Your personal and family story can be used to a. explain how come you are 32 with "only" 4 years of experience b. why you worked and took care of your family throughout your undergraduate degree and therefore have a mediocre GPA and c. how resilient and unique you are. All helpful for the general theme you will want to paint in your applications. to conclude - don't worry about age and GPA. Get the highest GMAT possible and then concentrate on the applications. you can definitely start an MBA at 34. Feel free to be in touch for further info and perhaps to work together on some stellar apps. I am always on shimriw@ARINGO.com (but probably after you have taken the GMAT) GOOD LUCK!

LemonEd · Answer

Hi Ali

It's quite apparent from your message that a low undergraduate GPA is your primary concern. While the low score is a valid concern, your perfect GPA at a master's level does speak volumes about your intellectual capacity. You could also take a few additional offline/online courses to reinforce this aspect. Furthermore, a GMAT score in the range of 720 to 750 will also elevate your chances of getting into a top business school.

I don't think your age would be that big a concern although your work experience of 4 years does not quite compute. You would need to provide a convincing answer to explain the gap.

The extenuating circumstances will certainly shed light upon the struggle you have gone through in your journey and add another dimension to your profile. You can elaborate upon the same in an optional essay.

All the best!

Regards

Prashant Pinge, ISB '02
Founder & Principal Consultant, LemonEd
---
P: +91 8108 533 522
E: info@LemonEd.in

LemonEd is a boutique, results-driven admissions consulting firm that helps applicants gain acceptance to the world's best MBA programs.

Reach out for a free profile evaluation.

AliOslam · Answer

Hi everyone,

I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your detailed answers. I highly appreciate your honest and lovely words and I surely did not expect so many replies!
I will certainly keep your advice in mind while working hard towards obtaining my aimed GMAT score.

bb I am planning on applying in 24 or 25, do you think it would be too late? My employer offered to pay for the CFA certification and I am currently consindering obtaining level 1 & 2 before getting into a MBA program. I stated in my previous post, that I would like to get into investment banking after the MBA program which is my mid term goal. In the long run, I would like to work for a fund (mutual / hedge fund).

In regards of my work experience: I really do only have 4 years of WE. I started middle of at the lowest level here in Germany and I had to work myself up three levels in order to obtain the A-Levels certification which took some time and effort. While I did a lot of soul searching during my A-Levels, I still wasn't sure which path would suit me best after finishing school. Thus, I initially studied computer sciences and later switched to business administrations after I realized that this would be the most fitting path for me. Further, I did one exchange year in the UK which I really enjoyed but ultimately extended my bachelors for one year.

I hope this explains my age a bit better

Best regards and again, thanks a bunch for your answers,
Ali

Best regards and again, thanks a bunch for your answers, Ali

bb · Answer

Thank you for the kind words. I have to admit I am not very familiar with the German education system or what a levels are… so I may be speaking with a bit of a lack of background. Would you put those A-level years as internship or education?

by the way, you’ve already achieved a lot and dealing with the diversity and background is amazing how much you had to go through….

I think you’ll be able to present a strong story to the admissions team and applying at 33 to 34 should not be too much of a stretch. The main deciding factor for your admission may end up being not so much for GMAT score but your professional career progression. it sounds like you’ve had to go through a lot of adversity to get to the place you are at. However, how are you performing compared to your peers now? Are you exceeding their performance or are you focusing on many things and potentially being average across-the-board? I would say for the next year or two, you’re Biggest focus would be trying to get a promotion or trying to get some kind of a way to distinguish yourself and have achievements to put on your résumé and talk about doing interviews. This may mean switching jobs or getting a better roll. Business schools love star performers, they left people who arise. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, but they like admitting successful people. So to improve your admission chances, you have to be successful it’s kind of like a vicious circle almost because why would you go to business school if you were successful? 😂

I hope this makes sense. I do not want you to for sake your job and focusing on the GMAT or CFA. Those don’t have as much of a deciding factor in your admission. (It may matter for IB though 🤷‍♂️) admission - It’s really about your professional accomplishments to go along with your background on your story of how are you Got here despite all the adversity.

PS. There’s a number of schools that place well into investment banking and one of them is Darden which is often overlooked but it’s a hidden gem. There are others as well such as Stern and booth and a few others, such as Johnson. Obviously M7 program will be strong regardless. However, I will encourage you to explore European programs as well if you are considering working in Europe. Ultimately you want to go to school on the continent you’re planning to work and live after graduating.

Posted from my mobile device

MiMEssay · Answer

Hey AliOslam,

Don't worry about your age. The age range for MBA programs abroad is typically between 27 and 33, and your being 32 is well within that range. Your international background, with roots in both Germany and the Middle East, is a strong asset for your profile. Your 2.75 on a 4-point scale, which translates to 22.5 in the German system, is a decent score. This, along with your Master's degree from a top 100 school in the UK, sets a solid academic foundation for your profile.

When applying to MBA programs, it's important to highlight your leadership qualities, management skills, and work experience. Talk about the responsibilities you've handled and the strategies you've used to show how efficient you are and how well you can solve problems.

Your GMAT or GRE score is just one-quarter of your application, so focus on making your application impactful by quantifying your extracurricular activities and achievements. A score of around 690–700 on the GMAT or GRE should be your aim, but remember to distinguish and elaborate on your experiences and achievements, as the more you elaborate, the higher your chances of getting into a top MBA program.

Any chance for a top mba?

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