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Doubt regarding GPA

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dranfoz
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Doubt regarding GPA [#permalink] New post   04 May 2021, 20:55
Hi. I’m a management consultant from Chile looking to apply to R1 this year for universities in the US. I have a 730 GMAT (Q49, V41).

My doubt is regarding my GPA. I am finding it particularly difficult to understand what is my GPA, which I am considering a relevant factor to decide where to apply.

I have a 4.9 grade. The grading system in Chile is based on a seven grade scale (point grade 7.00 - 1.00). 7.00 is unanimously pass with honors, the minimum passing grade is 4.0 and 1.0 is unanimously fail.

According to my university guidelines (included in the official transcript), for my university a 4.9 grade should be converted to a B+, which I understand would be a 3.3 GPA. However, I don’t know whether admissions would respect the conversion guide provided by my university, or whether they would calculate it in some other manner.

Could anyone help me? What would be the US equivalent for my 4.9 grades? And do you think that my 730 gmat makes up for my lower GPA (I would like to apply to top 10 universities)

Thanks

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Re: Doubt regarding GPA [#permalink] New post   05 May 2021, 09:58
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ieosorio:

Thanks for reaching out with this tough question! See my responses below:

"However, I don’t know whether admissions would respect the conversion guide provided by my university, or whether they would calculate it in some other manner."

Nearly every school will have its own process/calculation for your GPA as an international candidate, so you don't have to worry about submitting an official score because it won't be official in their mind. You have to submit a transcript so all the raw data is in their hands. For some programs, you might have to estimate the score but that's just to give the AdCom some general parameters. That might be a 3.3 though I would do some digging first before putting that down in your application.

"What would be the US equivalent for my 4.9 grades?"

We don't have an official conversion method at Admissionado. There are plenty of websites out there to help you. I would pick 3-5 of them to create an average. Here is one from the University of Oregon for example:

https://admissions.uoregon.edu/internat ... ents/chile

However, your best bet is to contact the admissions offices for a few of your top schools and ask them how they convert the GPA and if they have any guidance on how you should go about doing it yourself especially if they ask you to voluntarily submit an approximation. This is actually more helpful for you in terms of understanding if you are even a candidate on the basis of GPA as opposed to worrying about the official score for admission.

"And do you think that my 730 gmat makes up for my lower GPA (I would like to apply to top 10 universities)"

If your GPA is in fact a 3.3, then a 730 will definitely help mitigate it, but those aren't the types of scores that will wow a top 10 MBA program. You will still have a shot at the lower end of that range but the top 3 (HSW) will be very tough.

That being said, in general GPA - despite being a quantitative figure - is actually somewhat subjective and varies from country to country, school to school, major to major, and major course to major course. The GMAT is a standardized test by definition so it's a better barometer.

Good luck - please let us know if we can be of continued help and if you are interested in application support services!

https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/
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Re: Doubt regarding GPA [#permalink] New post   05 May 2021, 12:51
Admissionado

Thank you so much for the clear and thorough answer. I really appreciate it. I will reach out to a few admission offices as you suggest.

However, from what I've been seeing on the internet, an appropriate conversion for my GPA to the american system could be anywhere from 2.6 to 3.3 (for instance, the site you mentioned at the University of Oregon would probably consider my GPA to be 2.9).

My follow-up question would be: assuming the worse conversion (GPA = 2.6 or 2.7), how could I compensate for that in my application? Is there a GMAT score that could offset that record? Or should I focus more on explaining correctly the attenuating circumstances that led to that score in the optional essays (family problems)?

Also, does that GPA potentially thwart the possibilities of getting accepted at a top10 program?

Thank you very much! I will request a free consultation without a doubt.
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Re: Doubt regarding GPA [#permalink] New post   06 May 2021, 09:55
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ieosorio:

Responding line by line:

"My follow-up question would be: assuming the worse conversion (GPA = 2.6 or 2.7), how could I compensate for that in my application?"

If your GPA is in fact around a 2.7, unfortunately I am not sure there is much you can do to unscramble that egg. It's just too big of a factor and too much of an objective one (within reason) to outweigh. You would have to ace every other component on your application to give yourself a puncher's chance. These schools have so many qualified candidates that it's hard for them to pick someone with such a low score when they can pick people with higher scores and many similar non-GPA qualities. If you are still intent on trying to do whatever you can, focus on extracurricular achievements, work accomplishments, networking with the school, and securing excellent letters of recommendation.

"Also, does that GPA potentially thwart the possibilities of getting accepted at a top10 program?"

Yes, it is going to make it extremely difficult. Just look at the averages and ranges of GPAs for those top programs and you basically have your answer. Are you by any chance coming from an underrepresented group or have a truly unique life story? Those, plus an significant alumni connections, are basically the only real ace-in-the-holes one would have to make up for such a low GPA.

"Is there a GMAT score that could offset that record? Or should I focus more on explaining correctly the attenuating circumstances that led to that score in the optional essays (family problems)?"

I am not sure those are genuine trade-offs. How long is it going to take you to explain the circumstances? You could focus on the GMAT and write a supplemental essay without having to worry about time.

If I were you, I would pick a couple of schools in the Top 10 and then drop your list to include the Top 25 schools. You could also consider other types of masters programs if you are concerned about having a particular brand name on your resume.

We're here to help if you want to discuss in more detail:
https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/

Good luck,
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Doubt regarding GPA [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 07:27
Hi Admissionado,

Thank you for your inputs, it's quite clear.

From what I've been able to research, I'm confident that a fair representation of my GPA would be around a 3.0. That, of course, is low. However, I have attenuating circumstances that explain that grade, and my last 5 semesters I had a GPA consistently around 3.7-4.0. I'm hoping that those factors, along with a fairly impeccable work record, and the fact that I'm latino, will improve my chances at least at the lower range of the top 10 list.

I will 100% consider your advice on expanding my list a little further below the top 10.

Thanks again,
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Re: Doubt regarding GPA [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 14:59
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ieosorio:

That's helpful to know. It sounds like the admissions committees will have some contemplation when it comes to your application and GPA. You should absolutely mention these extenuating circumstances in your optional essay.

Still, as a precaution, I wouldn't fixate totally on the Top 10 unless it's "Top 10 or bust" for you. I am not entirely confident that your recent performance and the explanation will be sufficient, though it's certainly better than having neither.

Again, please don't hesitate to reach out for help as you get closer to applying.

Best,
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Re: Doubt regarding GPA [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 16:13
Thank you Admissionado !
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