Low GPA/High GMAT + Work Experience - Top 10 Admit?

Question

Hi all,

First, thanks for taking the time to read this post. I would appreciate any thoughts/feedback on my chances at top 10 b schools, specifically: HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, LBS.

Undergrad: Ivy (non-HPY)
GPA: Cumulative 3.0/Major 3.5; Upward GPA trend- started as engineer (failed a class), transferred to another quant major after soph year
GMAT: 740, first try (Q49, V41)
Gender: Female
Work: Strong work experience (4 years) - fast tracked at top company in the retail industry, won several company awards, led several initiatives for the company, will have strong recommendations from upper mgmt
Extracurricular: Board member of diversity organization on campus (strong involvement); Small involvement with non-profit organization (for only 1 year prior to applying)

Is my low gpa (and the fact that I've failed a class) an admission killer or can I make it a non issue with a good essay and emphasizing my gmat & career accomplishments?

Thanks for your help!

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I think a few factors will help you out here. Your GPA is low but you have the trending and other factors in your favor although your GPA is low for all these schools as you know. Your strong GMAT, work experience, plus ECs should help out. Also, b-schools still skew largely male so as a woman this will help elevate your candidacy as well. I think if you can draft some high end essays and short answers and your recommenders reinforce your work experience top 10 can be in play for you.

Good Luck!

Good Luck!

anon1234 · Answer

Thank you for your feedback!

Admissionado · Answer

Hey there,
Well if your Work experience is really that strong, I think Top 10 should be within range. Being a female candidate will also likely ease the burden of that low GPA, and you have already done the single best and most important thing by getting a really high GMAT.

I would probably suggest a strategy where you apply to mostly Top 10 schools and then 2 in the Top 20 just in case (no harm in covering yourself), but if you can tell your story well, Top 10 should be within range.

Best,
JF

VeritasPrepMike · Answer

I think you are in pretty good shape. Your GPA certainly isn't THAT bad and you did go to a good school. Your career experience is strong, your GMAT is really strong, and you are coming from an underrepresented group in business school, so you'll get some extra points there. Write some good essays and you should have put together a nice application package. It's definitely worth applying and seeing what happens. If finances are an issues, you could even apply to a lower ranked school and expect a nice scholarship package. Good luck!

Low GPA/High GMAT + Work Experience - Top 10 Admit?

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