does it really matter the gpa of my bachelor if I hold a master degree

Question

Hello everyone,

I am a student in a top technical university in Europe. I graduated in mech engineering in another university with a gpa sufficient enough to get accepted at my current alma mater (something like 3.2-3.4 out of 4) but nothing special in my opinion. I would like to work in the energy sector as engineer for some years and then I would like to apply for a good MBA.
I was wondering, will my bachelor's GPA count in the application for the MBA even though I will hold a Master from a very good technical university and (hopefully) with a good GPA?
Moreover, I was thinking to attend a summer school at HEC Paris before the graduation and I did a small exchange program in a partner university abroad.

ThadGA08 · Answer

Hey  gumball . I see you are abroad in the Netherlands, so I am not sure where you are planning to apply (US, non-US, etc.) or where you did your bachelor's degree. Just a fellow applicant here so don't want to come off as an expert, but generally for U.S. schools your bachelor GPA will always matter quite a bit at least because of the rankings. US World News uses undergrad GPA for its rankings (can't speak for the other rankings), so that is one big reason bachelor GPA generally counts. Now I think I read on one of these forums that international applicants' GPA aren't included in those calculations because of the conversion (??), but I couldn't find anything to back that up from a quick Google search. Might be totally remembering incorrectly (and who knows how knowledgeable the poster who said that is). Now things might be different for non-US schools and there is a lot more than the rankings, but I imagine most schools will always count bachelor GPA when considering your academic record and because it might be helpful to compare to other applicants that don't have master's degrees. Probably depends on the school on whether your masters GPA will outweigh it. But would count on it being a part of the consideration of your app. 3.2-3.4 isn't terrible and probably will only be a factor at the top top schools. In that case then getting a great GMAT score will be important.

For your questions about summer school at HEC Paris did you mention that to hopefully counteract your bachelor GPA or just to strengthen your application? Might post in the larger admissions consultant forum than this Peer Forum to get more expert input there. For the reasons above I don't think it would affect how they view your bachelor GPA much. From reading the forums your GMAT will be the best shot at outweighing your bachelor GPA and then probably your master's GPA will do all it can. Summer program probably wouldn't matter much for that. For whether it would strengthen your application more generally I am not sure. A consultant will probably know more. I think since you are a few years from applying likely what is more important is getting an amazing score on the GMAT, having lots of leadership opportunities and impact in the job(s) you take, and trying to also do some impressive community involvement in terms of volunteering or hobbies. Seems to be the advice on this forum from consultants to applicants that are still a few years out. Hope this helps!

gumball · Answer

Thank you for your reply!

Well, I'm an Italian guy, 24 yo and I did my bachelor in Italy, a good University but small and not international. Now I'm in The Netherlands (TUDelft) and I'm doing an intern in an American Company focused in the oil&gas. I am currently more interested in an European B school, mainly HEC and INSEAD.

I would like to do the summer school for several reasons, for finishing this period of my life with a small experience in a business school, getting some knowledge in something that I never studied before and meet interesting people. Then, I hope this summer school could, at least, help me getting some things clear in my head and kickstart my resume for my first full time job as engineer in the energy sector (do you think could it really help me on this?) and maybe also a very very small advantage for the applications for the MBA in the future.

I really appreciate all your opinions, I just started looked into it and every opinion is useful for me

ThadGA08 · Answer

Hey  gumball  I don't know enough about HEC's summer program or the energy sector to know if the summer program will help you with your first job. You might see what the school says, see if you can connect with any past students of the summer program, and probably more importantly talk with any contacts in the energy sector to get their take (especially if they are the type of people who will be hiring you). Your reasons like getting some business school experience, learning some new things, and meeting new people all make a lot of sense from a personal angle. Could be a nice preview of what business school is like, although I don't know anything about that particular program.

You might read up on the INSEAD and HEC forums on here to see if they give any info about the factor of GPA. I am American and only can speak to the schools I have researched here. I have gotten the impression that certain US schools are known for being the pickiest when it comes to a high GPA, but INSEAD and HEC might also care more about GPA. I don't think they will ever ignore your bachelor GPA even if GPA isn't as important, but I don't think you should be really worried about a 3.2-3.4 affecting your chances (it's not terrible). Regardless of the school getting an excellent GMAT score will be one of the best things right now to help your chances. Since it sounds like you are still in school right now you might consider studying for the GMAT and taking it maybe next spring. It can be a lot easier to study for it while in school than studying later and juggling a job (and also being out of the studying mindset). Scores are good for five years. Besides the GMAT advice when you are looking at job opportunities you want to be looking for roles that give you the chance for leadership and impact. That will help with your business school resume. Having promotions to show will always be great, but more generally once you are in the job be thinking of what projects you can take on and the initiative you can show (this will likely help with the promotions too). Those can be great to use on your essays and also your resume. I am not sure how much the European business schools take community involvement into account, but if they are like US schools you'll also wanting to be thinking about volunteer and leadership opportunities in your community too. I know the high GMAT score and leadership experience at work is pretty universal. That would be my advice on how to put yourself in a great position for business school from everything I have read on the forums. Sounds like a lot but you have plenty of time to show impact at work and get volunteering. Just can be helpful to start to plan now and you are pretty ahead of the game.

does it really matter the gpa of my bachelor if I hold a master degree

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