Consulting with low undergrad GPA -- is it possible?

Question

I've read a lot of information about how undergrad GPA is considered when consulting firms are evaluating applicants.

Is there a way to overcome my low GPA?

I will be attending Ross this fall and wonder if I should scrap my career aspirations to strategy consulting.

I have a 710 GMAT and a 2.97 undergrad GPA.

DrSatisfaction · Answer

i think you'll be fine after your mba. firms will tend to weigh your gmat and mba more than undergrad.

sm332 · Answer

++ the GMAT and above average performance in your MBA class will enable you to get a look in.

jeprince112 · Answer

Yes I dont think the undergrad GPA would be that big of a deal, especially if has been years ago... They'd look at prior work exp I imagine, in addition to the aforementioned GMAT and MBA performance.

TonyMontana896 · Answer

Can anyone else chime in on this? Anyone had success getting into a top tier firm with a relatively low undergrad gpa?

Pre777 · Answer

Just to update the thread, I was the original poster. The short story is that I was in fact able to get a full time job in management consulting with a boutique firm.

The longer story: Due to having a young family I had soured on wanting a career in management consulting. I figured that the travel would just be overwhelming. I interviewed with the larger firms for internships and was out of luck for an internship to try out the management consulting lifestyle for the summer. I instead took an internship in corporate finance. I liked the hours and then decided I wouldn't pursue consulting for full time recruiting. I didn't apply to any firms but was approached by a boutique firm who explained that they didn't travel as much. I applied and was able to leverage my past experience as a software sales rep to land a job with this firm that was sales operations focused.

It was a great job and the travel was indeed light. Key takeaway was that i was able to find a firm that was interested in my strengths (strong work experience in their key practice area) and cared little about my weak GPA.

UFmark · Answer

Thank you for updating your story...I wish more posters who came in and had questions like yours years ago would update as well.

Ginetta · Answer

I dont think the top firms even asked for UG GPA except for BCG which requires you to bring your UG transcript to second round interviews. There might have been a section for it in the original application at some firms but you can opt out if you want and still get interviews. If your GPA is good enough to get you into a decent business school, its going to be good enough to get you an interview. Or, at least it wont be the thing that prevents you from getting one.

missxmelon · Answer

The only time UG GPA really matters is when you're applying to consulting firms right out of college (i.e. without an MBA). As with most applications, it's your most recent stuff that matters (high school grades for college admission, college grades for grad school admission, etc.). For undergraduate recruiting, most consulting firms do have a minimum GPA (usually ~3.5). Under those circumstances, you can still apply, but the chances of getting an interview are really low.

Consulting with low undergrad GPA -- is it possible?

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