Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 1909:00 AM PST
-10:00 AM PST
What’s in it for you- Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with Jenifer Turtschnow, CEO ARINGO. Come with your details prepared and ARINGO will share insights! Pre-MBA Role/Industry, YOE, Exam Score, C/GPA, ECs Post-MBA Role/ Industry & School List.
Nov 1910:00 AM EST
-01:00 PM EST
Get expert MBA strategy, instant essay feedback, and personalized advice on your entire application. Join My Admit Coach, the AI-powered MBA admissions platform built on 10K+ successful application docs for HBS, Stanford GSB, MIT and other top programs.
Nov 1911:00 AM PST
-12:00 PM PST
Round 2 is here — and it’s your chance to make your MBA dream happen! Join GMAT Club’s LIVE discussion with two top experts from The Red Pen, Gunjan Jhunjhunwala and Natasha Mankikar, as we break down everything you need to know- Nov 12
01:00 PM EST
-11:59 PM EST
Get expert MBA strategy, instant essay feedback, and personalized advice on your entire application. Join My Admit Coach, the AI-powered MBA admissions platform built on 10K+ successful application docs for HBS, Stanford GSB, MIT and other top programs. - Nov 20
07:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth 
Nov 2010:00 AM EST
-10:30 AM EST
If you’re applying to Columbia, NYU Stern, or Yale SOM, you need more than strong stats. Each school defines “leadership” differently, and your essays must reflect that. Join Sia Admissions founder, Susan Berishaj on November 20th
Nov 2009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Join our free expert-led Essay Workshops to discover how to choose impactful stories, highlight your core values, and align your background with each school’s distinct culture, making every word truly count.
Nov 2108:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Nov 2109:30 PM IST
-10:30 PM IST
Learn how to craft powerful, authentic essays by mastering the 3 “WHYs” every top MBA program looks for: Why MBA, Why Now, and Why This School.
Nov 2408:00 PM PST
-09:00 PM PST
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
17 Sep 2024, 05:29
Kudos
Bookmarks
Conquering the Low GPA: Strategies for a Strong MBA Application
Many MBA applicants fear their low GPA thinking it will prevent them from getting accepted into the top business schools. That said, you must also realize that the good B-schools look at applicants in a comprehensive manner and not based solely on one parameter. Despite challenges a low GPA may present at times, it is not game over; there are other pieces of an application that can qualify or disqualify a candidate.
What does a strong GPA mean?
A strong GPA may vary school to school, program to program. For some schools even a 3.6 might be lower while for others it might be within the range. Top programs usually have an average GPA in the range of 3.7 to 3.9. A GPA below 3.6 is often considered lower for top MBA programs. Here's a glimpse into the average GPAs of top US MBA programs:
Average GPA of TOP SCHOOLS
Stanford Graduate School of Business- 3.77
Harvard Business Schools- 3.73
Kellogg School of Management- 3.7
Berkeley Haas- 3.64
Yale SOM- 3.64
MIT Sloan- 3.61
NYU Stern- 3.61
Wharton-UPenn - 3.6
Washington - Olin- 3.6
Arizona State - Carey- 3.57
Ohio State U - Fisher- 3.55
UCLA Anderson- 3.52
Darden- 3.51
Columbia Business School- 3.5
Vanderbilt - Owen- 3.5
Minnesota - Carlson- 3.5
USC - Marshall- 3.5
Brigham Young - Marriott- 3.5
Tuck- Dartmouth- 3.49
Adcoms consider a strong GPA to demonstrate your
1. Academic skills: Your ability to grasp complex concepts and excel in a traditional academic setting.
2. MBA readiness: Predicts your future performance in a demanding and very competitive academic environment.
Let’s talk about some ways to cover up for a low GPA in your b-School application.
1. Standardized Tests: As all the best business schools take the standardized test scores very seriously, a high GMAT/GRE/EA can be one of the strongest ways to cover for a lower GPA. These competitive exams are meant to test candidates on an all round basis, be it aptitude or quantitative skills, writing skills etc. This is part of why a high score is one of the biggest possible hedges against low-GPA admissions.
Further, a high score will also boost the average GMAT score of the incoming class for that particular business school which will eventually have a direct impact on the program’s ranking.
2. Work Experience: Your work experience can show that you’ve matured since college and have the skills to succeed in business schools and beyond. Talk about your promotions, leadership roles, and quantify the impact of your work as much as possible. Basically, you have to show the adcoms that you have it all, despite a low GPA.
3. Professional certifications: Certifications like CFA, CA, CPA, PMP, CORe, Six Sigma, etc. can help you establish your academic potential. These certifications involve rigorous preparation and extreme competition. Having these on your resume will definitely catch the attention of adcoms.
4. Extracurricular Activities: Your ECs can be a game changer. They will help you add diversity to your profile. They can also be used to demonstrate your leadership skills and drive to make an impact on business schools. Suppose you were a part of a charitable organization? Or if you have helped underprivileged children learn new skills or crack some exams? Adding examples of these will add that unique aspect which demonstrates your way of giving it back to the society.
5. Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters from supervisors or managers can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and potential. Seek recommenders who can speak enthusiastically about you, citing specific examples.
6. Essays: These are your chance to shine! Briefly explain extenuating circumstances for a low GPA (without dwelling on them). More importantly, use essays to showcase your unique experiences, career goals, and how an MBA fits into your vision.
7. Strict Marking System: If your low GPA reflects a rigorous grading system, consider including your class percentile in your resume. This provides context for your academic performance.
If you are not sure, how your percentage/GPA out of 10, etc. looks on a scale of 4, you can visit ARINGO’s GPA convertor page. Here, you can easily access conversion tables for various academic programs. Whether you're applying from different educational systems or specific regions, our converter will help you accurately calculate your GPA based on your location.
A low GPA doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. By strategically highlighting your strengths and achievements in other areas, you can build a compelling application that demonstrates your readiness to thrive in an MBA program.
FEEL FREE TO CONNECT FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION.
Click here to connect.
Many MBA applicants fear their low GPA thinking it will prevent them from getting accepted into the top business schools. That said, you must also realize that the good B-schools look at applicants in a comprehensive manner and not based solely on one parameter. Despite challenges a low GPA may present at times, it is not game over; there are other pieces of an application that can qualify or disqualify a candidate.
What does a strong GPA mean?
A strong GPA may vary school to school, program to program. For some schools even a 3.6 might be lower while for others it might be within the range. Top programs usually have an average GPA in the range of 3.7 to 3.9. A GPA below 3.6 is often considered lower for top MBA programs. Here's a glimpse into the average GPAs of top US MBA programs:
Average GPA of TOP SCHOOLS
Stanford Graduate School of Business- 3.77
Harvard Business Schools- 3.73
Kellogg School of Management- 3.7
Berkeley Haas- 3.64
Yale SOM- 3.64
MIT Sloan- 3.61
NYU Stern- 3.61
Wharton-UPenn - 3.6
Washington - Olin- 3.6
Arizona State - Carey- 3.57
Ohio State U - Fisher- 3.55
UCLA Anderson- 3.52
Darden- 3.51
Columbia Business School- 3.5
Vanderbilt - Owen- 3.5
Minnesota - Carlson- 3.5
USC - Marshall- 3.5
Brigham Young - Marriott- 3.5
Tuck- Dartmouth- 3.49
Adcoms consider a strong GPA to demonstrate your
1. Academic skills: Your ability to grasp complex concepts and excel in a traditional academic setting.
2. MBA readiness: Predicts your future performance in a demanding and very competitive academic environment.
Let’s talk about some ways to cover up for a low GPA in your b-School application.
1. Standardized Tests: As all the best business schools take the standardized test scores very seriously, a high GMAT/GRE/EA can be one of the strongest ways to cover for a lower GPA. These competitive exams are meant to test candidates on an all round basis, be it aptitude or quantitative skills, writing skills etc. This is part of why a high score is one of the biggest possible hedges against low-GPA admissions.
Further, a high score will also boost the average GMAT score of the incoming class for that particular business school which will eventually have a direct impact on the program’s ranking.
2. Work Experience: Your work experience can show that you’ve matured since college and have the skills to succeed in business schools and beyond. Talk about your promotions, leadership roles, and quantify the impact of your work as much as possible. Basically, you have to show the adcoms that you have it all, despite a low GPA.
3. Professional certifications: Certifications like CFA, CA, CPA, PMP, CORe, Six Sigma, etc. can help you establish your academic potential. These certifications involve rigorous preparation and extreme competition. Having these on your resume will definitely catch the attention of adcoms.
4. Extracurricular Activities: Your ECs can be a game changer. They will help you add diversity to your profile. They can also be used to demonstrate your leadership skills and drive to make an impact on business schools. Suppose you were a part of a charitable organization? Or if you have helped underprivileged children learn new skills or crack some exams? Adding examples of these will add that unique aspect which demonstrates your way of giving it back to the society.
5. Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters from supervisors or managers can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and potential. Seek recommenders who can speak enthusiastically about you, citing specific examples.
6. Essays: These are your chance to shine! Briefly explain extenuating circumstances for a low GPA (without dwelling on them). More importantly, use essays to showcase your unique experiences, career goals, and how an MBA fits into your vision.
7. Strict Marking System: If your low GPA reflects a rigorous grading system, consider including your class percentile in your resume. This provides context for your academic performance.
If you are not sure, how your percentage/GPA out of 10, etc. looks on a scale of 4, you can visit ARINGO’s GPA convertor page. Here, you can easily access conversion tables for various academic programs. Whether you're applying from different educational systems or specific regions, our converter will help you accurately calculate your GPA based on your location.
A low GPA doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. By strategically highlighting your strengths and achievements in other areas, you can build a compelling application that demonstrates your readiness to thrive in an MBA program.
FEEL FREE TO CONNECT FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION.
Click here to connect.
