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mbahopeful1456
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Archit3110
Score of GFE is fine..what schools are you targeting??

M7 schools
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GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
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mbahopeful1456
Hey all, I just took my GMAT and was wondering what my chances are for getting into an M7 business school. Below are my credentials. I understand my GPA is low so that is my main concern.

GMAT:
Focus: 695 (740-750 equivalent on OG) - first attempt, can take again if absolutely necessary.

Education:
Undergrad: Mechanical Engineering (3.37 GPA) at an accredited school with 50% acceptance rate- Low GPA Sophomore (2.7) year that affected my overall GPA

Masters: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3.762 GPA) at same university as undergrad and was a teaching assistant

Work Experience:
16 months at a large engineering company in their leadership program
2 years at a series a tech startup (15 people) where I started as a product engineer and am now leading product alongside the CEO

Referrals:
Have had multiple bosses who went to ivy leagues so should be able to get a few good referrals from them.

Do I have a chance at any top universities or is my undergrad GPA going to put me out of contention.
Hi mbahopeful1456,

Your profile has some strong points, particularly your work experience at a tech startup and your leadership role there. However, your undergraduate GPA could be a significant hurdle for the most selective M7 schools (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, etc.).

Strengths:

Strong GMAT Score: A 695 (equivalent to 740-750) is a very competitive score and a significant strength.
Work Experience: Your experience at a tech startup, especially in a leadership role, is highly valuable.
Masters Degree: Earning a Master's degree demonstrates your commitment to academic excellence and your ability to overcome challenges (your undergraduate GPA).

Challenges:

Undergraduate GPA: Your 3.37 GPA, particularly the low sophomore year, could be a significant hurdle for the most selective schools.

Strategies to Mitigate the GPA Challenge:

Exceptional Essays: Craft compelling essays that address your undergraduate GPA directly. Explain the circumstances that led to the lower GPA and how you've grown and matured since then. Focus on your academic achievements in your Master's program and your professional accomplishments to demonstrate your academic potential.
Strong Recommendations: Seek strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic abilities, leadership potential, and professional achievements despite your undergraduate GPA.
Consider Schools with Holistic Admissions: Some schools place more emphasis on overall profile and potential than solely on GPA. Research schools with a more holistic admissions process.

Target Schools:

Consider schools with a more holistic admissions process that values entrepreneurial experience.

Recommendations:

Retake the GMAT: While your current score is strong, consider a retake to aim for a score in the 700+ range to further strengthen your application.

While your undergraduate GPA presents a challenge, your strong work experience, GMAT score, and leadership potential can make you a competitive applicant for top-tier MBA programs. Focus on crafting a strong application that highlights your unique strengths and demonstrates your potential for success. Our MBA consultants would be happy to connect with you over a free profile evaluation discussion and tailor your applications. You can schedule a free consultation with our experts or connect directly with our experts via call at +91 7780769732.
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mbahopeful1456
Hey all, I just took my GMAT and was wondering what my chances are for getting into an M7 business school. Below are my credentials. I understand my GPA is low so that is my main concern.

GMAT:
Focus: 695 (740-750 equivalent on OG) - first attempt, can take again if absolutely necessary.

Education:
Undergrad: Mechanical Engineering (3.37 GPA) at an accredited school with 50% acceptance rate- Low GPA Sophomore (2.7) year that affected my overall GPA

Masters: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3.762 GPA) at same university as undergrad and was a teaching assistant

Work Experience:
16 months at a large engineering company in their leadership program
2 years at a series a tech startup (15 people) where I started as a product engineer and am now leading product alongside the CEO

Referrals:
Have had multiple bosses who went to ivy leagues so should be able to get a few good referrals from them.

Do I have a chance at any top universities or is my undergrad GPA going to put me out of contention.
Hi mbahopeful1456 , I hope you are doing well! Your GMAT Focus score of 695 and master's GPA of 3.762 are competitive elements for M7 schools, especially when combined with your leadership experience at a startup and engineering company. While your undergrad GPA of 3.37 and a sophomore dip may raise questions, mitigating factors such as a strong graduate GPA, upward academic trajectory, and leadership experience can help balance your profile.
To strengthen your candidacy, craft compelling essays that explain the GPA dip with personal challenges or overcommitment and highlight how you grew from the experience. Emphasize your transition to leadership roles, innovation, and collaboration with the CEO at a startup. M7 schools could still be a reach, but your profile makes you competitive for programs like Ross, Darden, or Tepper, where your engineering and product management background will stand out. What's going to matter most in your application is how you connect the experiential dots and build a great story to stand out from other applicants in the pool.

If you’d like, we are happy to hop on a 1:1 call with you to discuss your profile in detail and shortlist schools for you. Please feel free to schedule a profile evaluation call according to your convenience.

“Join Our Exclusive Webinar!"

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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Hello mbahopeful1456,

We would suggest a retake to further boost your chances at the M7 programs (even more if you belong to an overrepresented nationality).

A higher score will further help demonstrate your ability to adjust to the demands of a rigorous academic program (in light of your low GPA).

Good luck!
mbahopeful1456
Hey all, I just took my GMAT and was wondering what my chances are for getting into an M7 business school. Below are my credentials. I understand my GPA is low so that is my main concern.

GMAT:
Focus: 695 (740-750 equivalent on OG) - first attempt, can take again if absolutely necessary.

Education:
Undergrad: Mechanical Engineering (3.37 GPA) at an accredited school with 50% acceptance rate- Low GPA Sophomore (2.7) year that affected my overall GPA

Masters: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3.762 GPA) at same university as undergrad and was a teaching assistant

Work Experience:
16 months at a large engineering company in their leadership program
2 years at a series a tech startup (15 people) where I started as a product engineer and am now leading product alongside the CEO

Referrals:
Have had multiple bosses who went to ivy leagues so should be able to get a few good referrals from them.

Do I have a chance at any top universities or is my undergrad GPA going to put me out of contention.