Profile evaluation - college senior with very low GPA

Question

Hello,

As I am finishing my Bachelor's studies, I'm facing many dilemmas regarding my next steps to develop my career. Given my difficult situation (an extremely low GPA), I would be grateful if you could evaluate my profile and give advices regarding:
- Whether I should try to apply to b schools with deferred admissions
- What is the range of b schools I could successfully apply to
- If, given my poor GPA, it has no sense to try right now, what steps should I take to increase my chances in the future? (Masters in Business in Europe with great grades?)

- 21 years old, white male, Middle-East Europe 
Why MBA?
- because I hope to learn from the most creative and intelligent people in the world. I would also love to establish a connection with the US startup ecosystem in order to fulfill my long-term goals.

Short-term goals: 
- Gain adequate experience in consulting
Long-term goals: 
- Run my own hi-tech startup

Education: 
- Bachelor's of Quantitative Methods from the best b school in my country (currently starting my last year)
- GPA: 2.65
- GMAT: 750 (Q50, V43)

Work experience:
- accepted to McKinsey into Analyst position, starting from May next year
- 5 months (till now) in Unilever developing a distribution network for a range of products. Worked there with my team from business competitions and, as an experiment, we were given a completely independent project and operated directly under the director for country's operations. So far increased company’s market share by 50%
- 1 year working part-time as an analyst in VC fund, evaluating new business ideas 
- Summer internship in one of the biggest investment funds in country, valuating stocks and making investment recommendations. 
- Founder of 3 business initiatives operating under business incubator (during high-school)

NGOs:
- launched and coordinated an entrepreneurship education project for students. I managed work of 60 people and operated with the biggest budget in the history of my university. Over 2000 participants directly attended events, making it second biggest entrepreneurship project in the country. Among 5 subprojects, acquired the original license of Dragons’ Den (Shark Tank) and made it a live event. Also, cooperated with the 5 biggest VC funds in country and some people from the Forbes ranking.
- launched and coordinated a nation-wide case-study competition for high school students. Over 2500 participants from majority of schools in the country. Made it third-biggest competition in the country, competing with government-supported initiatives with 10+years of tradition. Managed 25 people.

Achievements and Awards: 
- 3x won country finals and represented the country in biggest business competitions in the world (biggest number of business competitions won in the university’s history)
- During High School, 5x laureate of national entrepreneurship competitions

Why my GPA is so poor? From the beginning of my studies, life was throwing opportunities at me. Job of my dreams (it is almost impossible to get a job in VC from the first year of studies in my country), then competitions and huge responsibility to represent my country. Later, activity in NGOs that took me more time than expected and turned into huge projects. Given all these experiences, my studies appeared pretty boring.

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

MMateo, Thank you for the detailed background and congrats on your accomplishments! I enjoyed reaching everything that you have done outside of school and admissions committee members would equally enjoy learning about your accomplishments. What types of businesses did you start in high school? Are they still operating / were they sold? While your profile is attractive, the GPA may hold you back from the top schools' 2+2 / deferral programs. If you want to apply now and are a bit of a risk taker, it would be worth the risk to target some of the top schools. What do you think your grades will be this semester? You would want to show straight As and there are things we could do to explain the story and show your academic turnaround. If you wait and apply later, then taking some extra courses could help show your academic ability. (though the ROI on extra courses varies). Send me a note if you want to hear about how I can help you with your applications. While most applicants do have much higher GPAs, we can discuss strategies for you. scott@personalmbacoach.com or visit my website to see early MBA planning packages https://www.personalmbacoach.com

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Thanks for sharing your profile. Given your low GPA you will not be immediately attractive to the programs you are probably interested in. You have a great background and even scored a great first job out with McKinsey. I think in a few years you will be a far more attractive candidate as you distance yourself from your undergrad GPA. This will also help you to really fine tune your vision for Why MBA and also your career goals.

Hope this helps!

Hope this helps!

WyseGyde · Answer

Understand that the MBA application is a comprehensive package where deficiencies in one aspect can potentially be compensated in another. (In part, the application process exists so a school can vet whether you would make it through the program and be, in the long-run, value added for the program.) So, although you have a very low GPA: 1) it certainly does not seem reflective of your abilities or your drive, given your additional activities, GMAT, etc., and 2) you need to be sure to develop your story as to why your GPA shouldn't be considered a red flag--rather, why it may have been the result of some conscious and professionally-related tradeoffs.

Having said that, it looks like you are on a good professional track and, given what you've said here, you have some very tangible demonstrations of leadership and ambassadorship. These are definite pluses and may set you apart. With all other things considered, crafting your story will be very important.

One of the key sets of questions you should be able to answer is: Why an MBA? Why now? And why from Program X? The story needs to be better than to be with smart people and to get connected with the U.S. startup environment. Think of the MBA as a tradeoff as well: the school is giving you a slot in its program and you are getting an education, connections, experience, etc.; so what does the school get? When you craft the story, think of admissions as a mutual relationship. So, you know what you want to get--now what to you want to give?

Furthermore, many U.S. programs currently like to see more work experience, especially if you want to move into consulting after your MBA. There's no cure for this but time on the job. (As a disclaimer, though, some programs are exploring options of bringing younger aged individuals in more and more.) And it is unclear if an additional degree or program will help accelerate processes or compensate for your GPA either.

Summarily, you can't change your GPA, you have an excellent GMAT score, and now it's time to work on your professional resume and network. We can't predict how an admissions committee will look at your GPA or how your story will come across to them, but you can absolutely apply to Top 10 programs in the U.S. with the possibility (though certainly not the expectation) of being accepted. But I can't stress enough how contingent your success will be on the execution and communication of your story and development.

If you have any additional questions, please request an additional FREE profile review from a WyseGyde admissions consultants or register for our services at only $59/hour. WyseGyde consultants have track records of success at top schools such as Wharton, Booth, Tuck, HBS, Columbia, Darden, and the list goes on. They could certainly help guide you along your MBA path…and the profile review is FREE!

Sign-up for your profile review or information at https://www.wysegyde.com or email us directly at [email protected].

We look forward to helping you reach your MBA and career goals!

--The WyseGydes

MMateo · Answer

PersonalMBACoach ,  VeritasPrepDozie ,  WyseGyde  - thank you very much for your insights! I suppose it won't hurt me if I decide to apply as a college senior right now (in three-four years I could say then: "hey, it is over x years I am working hard and still want to get into your program!"). But in case I get dinged, I have two questions:
- do you think it is reasonable to get into one-year Masters in Management program to show straight A's and prove my academic ability (though it may be hard to get to TOP5 european programs because of my GPA) or
- is it worthy to go for CFA (for the same reason)?

Thanks!

Profile evaluation - college senior with very low GPA

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