Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 14:07 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 14:07
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
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

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
jclaker
avatar
Joined: 31 Aug 2018
Last visit: 20 Sep 2019
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 98
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? Updated on: 13 Sep 2018, 04:50
Originally posted by jclaker on 01 Sep 2018, 01:27.
Last edited by jclaker on 13 Sep 2018, 04:50, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
C

Archived Booth (Chicago) Discussion
Hi there,
You've stumbled upon an old discussion from our Booth (Chicago) Forum that's now outdated and has been archived. No more replies are possible here.
Interested in current discussions? Feel free to dive into our dedicated Booth (Chicago) Forum for all fresh things related to the Booth (Chicago) MBA program.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
User avatar
MsInvBanker
User avatar
Joined: 23 May 2018
Last visit: 16 Jun 2021
Posts: 653
Own Kudos:
225
Given Kudos: 45
Location: Pakistan
Schools: McDonough '21 (A) McCombs '22 (A$) Stern '22 (S) Simon '22 Boston U '22 (A$)
Schools: McDonough '21 (A) McCombs '22 (A$) Stern '22 (S) Simon '22 Boston U '22 (A$)
Posts: 653
Kudos: 225
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? 01 Sep 2018, 08:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jclaker
I am applying for the weekend program, specifically the Chicago Business Fellows program. I’ve been working for 3 months and plan on applying when I get a 700+ GMAT score.

Background:

I graduated from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business with a 3.086 gpa (awful, I know). My major was in finance. My gpa started around a 3.45 at the beginning of my sophomore year, and then slowly declined (3.2 at the beginning of senior year). This was largely due to job stress. I denied an offer from a great job due to being given an unofficial offer from another company that was closer to home. This offer never happened and left me in a nervous wreck the whole year. I also had bad habits. I was probably addicted to video games which I used as an escape from things in my life. In high school it started and I never broke the habit until I started working. Related to my birth-father going to prison my sophomore year of highschool, getting adopted my senior year by my stepdad and my last name changing as a result.

I have been in contact with someone from admissions at Booth. I explained my GPA and they said I’d be competitive with a 680 GMAT score. I’ve been getting around 680-710 on my practice tests.

Volunteer work:

I start volunteering at the YMCA next week to tutor kids up to 5th grade. I plan on Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity soon.

Work experience:

Built computers for people to make some extra cash sophomore year.
Intern at a health insurance company for junior year internship.
Currently a financial analyst at a large company in Northwest Indiana.


Questions and Concerns:

Is it even worth applying a year from now with a 700+ GMAT score? Was the admissions person I was in contact with dishonest? What steps should I take next? I have a great work ethic now, a complete 180 from college. Not afraid to work hard to get in. I just want to know if it’s even possible. I appreciate any feedback, thanks!

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

I'd say that if you really want to be at Booth, give it a try anyway.

As for the low gpa, the lowest (stated for their class of 2019) is 2.76 so a higher GMAT score might help there.

But, at the end of the day, it is your decision.
User avatar
bb
User avatar
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 43,155
Own Kudos:
83,726
Given Kudos: 24,680
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 43,155
Kudos: 83,726
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? 01 Sep 2018, 09:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
3.0 is not horrible but runs on the lower end of the spectrum. (I think 3.2 is the OK low)

You can search for “low gpa success stories” to see how some folks dealt with their limitations.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
Gnpth
User avatar
Joined: 29 Aug 2012
Last visit: 03 Mar 2023
Posts: 1,039
Own Kudos:
6,775
Given Kudos: 330
Status:Chasing my MBB Dream!
Location: United States (DC)
WE:General Management (Aerospace and Defense)
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 1,039
Kudos: 6,775
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? 01 Sep 2018, 09:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,

Many people got into top schools with low GPA. I would suggest you try to get a higher GMAT score of 720+ to be on the safer side.
avatar
jclaker
avatar
Joined: 31 Aug 2018
Last visit: 20 Sep 2019
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 98
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? 01 Sep 2018, 09:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Some great advice here. I’m looking through and people often take a couple of high-level college courses that they struggled with. Any advice here? UCLA seems popular. Is it easy to sign up for a couple classes?

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
hanamana
User avatar
Joined: 11 Jan 2018
Last visit: 21 Dec 2024
Posts: 128
Own Kudos:
60
Given Kudos: 25
Posts: 128
Kudos: 60
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? 01 Sep 2018, 12:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi OP,

https://gmatclub.com/forum/calling-boot ... l#p2109650

Please use the link above to follow all Booth applicants. You can't change your GPA, so focus on what you can control: GMAT, essays, and work experiences. You haven't really outlined much about work experiences (years of experience, promotions, how role has evolved, people management, etc).
User avatar
fatmike
User avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2019
Last visit: 04 Sep 2022
Posts: 282
Own Kudos:
149
Given Kudos: 1
Schools: Booth '22 (M)
Schools: Booth '22 (M)
Posts: 282
Kudos: 149
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? 17 Nov 2019, 16:04
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jclaker
Some great advice here. I’m looking through and people often take a couple of high-level college courses that they struggled with. Any advice here? UCLA seems popular. Is it easy to sign up for a couple classes?

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

Did you end up applying and how did it go?
User avatar
bb
User avatar
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 43,155
Own Kudos:
83,726
Given Kudos: 24,680
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 43,155
Kudos: 83,726
Is it worth trying get in with my low gpa? 10 Jul 2023, 09:36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Archived Booth (Chicago) Discussion
Hi there,
You've stumbled upon an old discussion from our Booth (Chicago) Forum that's now outdated and has been archived. No more replies are possible here.
Interested in current discussions? Feel free to dive into our dedicated Booth (Chicago) Forum for all fresh things related to the Booth (Chicago) MBA program.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
Moderator:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts