low GPA high GMAT

Question

Hi there,

I am currently working as a software engineer and I'm planning to planning to apply to a top MBA program and eventually become a tech ib or consultant. I still have some time to prep but am wondering about my chances. The schools I'm interested in applying to are:

Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, UPenn, University of Chicago, MIT

My profile is as follows:

- GMAT 760+
- 2 years of working experience as a software engineer at one of the largest banks at US(hence const. feeder to top business schools)
- Bachelors degree in CS&Math at a top 10 univ(in fact, one of the schools im interested above), 3.56 GPA
- Masters degree in CS; completed during my 4 years of undergrad, GPA 3.8
- long-term-ta-ship(received distinguished teaching award), been head ta, and have organized department-wide event(although no leadership position), summer camp counselor, been in a lot of performance groups during college
- female, first gen immigrant from China(not international stud) so I'm bilingual, also can speak Spanish
- CPA level II candidate

I know my GPA is pretty low comparing to avg top business school and also doesn't have a very strong leadership position to show my community impact. So I'm also hoping if I can get some suggestions on what I can do to offset which. Thanks in advance!

DisciplinedPrep · Answer

jessiewithie  - In short, the whole purpose of achieving a high GMAT score is to balance any other component of the application, such as a low GPA. Therefore, you have won half the battle in improving your application. Congratulations, on getting a terrific 760 on the GMAT. You have a good profile. Let's wait for our admission consultants to weigh in.

mbaMissionNishaT · Answer

Hi, and thanks for writing! Your academics are impressive - your GPA is not low by any means, and a 760 GMAT (along with the CFA) would offset it quite a bit anyway. Two years of work experience is on the lighter side for applying to business schools, though - if you feel that you can keep progressing in your current SE role (in terms of responsibility, skills, and position) you may be a stronger candidate a year from now. And in the meantime, you can consider being involved in an extracurricular activity that is personally meaningful to you and in which you feel you can make an impact. It can be in any area you care about, for example: community service, school alumni association, sports, the arts. This will round out your profile and give you the chance to highlight in your applications your passions/values outside of work. The extra year may also give you time to build stronger relationships with your recommenders so that you have multiple options by the time you are ready to apply.

I hope that helps a bit! Do feel free to reach out for a free consultation if you would like to discuss further.

low GPA high GMAT

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