I saw another thread about admission results and profile sharing here on this forum. All of the profiles have very good GMAT scores. It seems very discouraging for those who are applying to top B-schools with low GMAT scores. If you've been admitted to top B-schools with a GMAT score not higher than 650, please share your profile with us. I hope your profiles can give some encouragement to those who are beaten by the GMAT. Please follow the format as follows: GMAT: 6XX (Q:XX, V:XX, AWA:X) University attended: Major(s): GPA / Honours: Nationality: Age: (at matriculation) Gender: Work Experience: No. of Years / Industry / Role Extra-curricular Activities: Community Services: Business Schools (Admitted): Business Schools (Applied but Dinged): What do you think is your biggest advantage? e.g. Diversity, Leadership, Good Essays... NO DISCUSSION!!

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Profiles - Admitted to Top B-Schools w/ Low GMAT or Low GPA

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highsandlow

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25 Feb 2010, 13:54

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aa5786

Had a chat with a staff member at Wharton recently and discussed my 50 percentile quant score. Before I could jump into my standard explanation, she looked at my resume and said......"your work experience and undergrad econ major are all the examples I need of your quant ability, don't worry about it."

Guys - Don't let these +700'ers psych you out if you have other components of your background which can speak to ability.

YOU JUST MADE MY DAY! THANK YOU!

InCaseYouAsked

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Schools:Duke Class of 2012

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09 Mar 2010, 16:43

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3.4 GPA across three schools (long but interesting story)
680 GMAT

In at Duke, interviewed at UNC. Probably dinged at Columbia/Stern/HBS.

I have a pretty crazy life story, though, and some great ECs, so those probably helped. Good luck to all!

LetsGoMets

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Concentration: Finance

Schools:Emory 2012

GPA: 2.5 Applied Math Major

WE 1: 1 yr proprietary trading

WE 2: 2 yrs global ibank in municipal derivatives

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09 Mar 2010, 23:19

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highsandlow

Hi Guys-
Reading your messages really helps with my roller-coasting self-esteem. I'm currently applying to Cornell, Vanderbilt, MIT, and Wharton. They are pretty top schools and I know I am shooting high, but I figured I give it a try. There's always next year if this round doesn't work out- right?

Here's my profile, please let me know what you think(please be somewhat nice):
age: 28
School: earned a Ph.D in the sciences from a top school with many published research journals and international experiences and recognitions
female
asian american
2 years of work experience
GPA: 3.4
Gmat:600 ( I didn't really study for it due to my 16 hours a day work schedule (I know, just another excuse) and regretted it)

I want to go into science management and need an MBA(strong business foundation)

I am applying for the last round and have submitted my applications early for those rounds. I am very nervous! Should I start looking for an alternative (nonMBA) option while I wait study for the GMAT and reapply next year? Soooo nervous. This process is so mentally draining.
Thank you

I think 3.4 and a PhD are very impressive. How was your verbal score? I think given your science background, the admissions committee might be more willing to overlook a low gmat quant score because you probably took many quantitative courses. The verbal on the other hand might come into play more.

I had a friend who applied to vandy with a similar gpa and a 600 gmat. He got waitlisted there, but accepted to emory (where he currently goes). In short, it's do-able. I do think MIT and Wharton are likely unrealistic, but I certainly haven't figured out this process, and if anything I learned that GMAT score alone won't get you into the top schools.

unplugged

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Concentration: Strategy, International Business, Finance

Schools:Kellogg Class of 2012

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10 Mar 2010, 22:09

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GoBruins

In the craziness of the last couple of days, I haven't had time to post. But I am taking time from my vacation in Boston so that I can post my experience with application with a GPA. My hopes is that this gives people with Low GPA some hope, since I think hope was really what the strength to do this not once, but twice.

First off I will first say, I have a 2.109 GPA. So anyone with above that probably is in ALOT Better shape than I was. Another thing is that I have no trend up or down. It peaked my 3rd year to a wowing 2.4 and I have 2 more A's than F. I'm being very candid because whoever is looking at this post, I want you to know that if someone can get Waitlist at a top 3 school and accepted at a top tier school (Ross) than you can too.

Background of what I did to mitigate, I took my GMAT's seriously and scored a balanced 760. Then I made sure I moved up in my career, I took opportunity in leadership such as taking on side projects. Took classes, (I actually did a MS however I would not recommend it because it's more intense than I feel needed to prove academic proficiency). And lastly I made sure my essays reflected who I was.

I think the most important thing I did was that I didn't give up and that I made sure I aimed for schools I wanted to go to. Basicly I took that attitude as, They are gonna like me for everything else, or reject me because they couldn't get over my grades. Either way I was not gonna be the person holding myself back. I think for all the low GPA and low GMAT people that is the most important thing. Don't limit yourself, be realistic yet shoot for the stars.

As for Results:

First year: With 3 classes toward my masters
Ding w/o INT: Chicago, Columbia (Columbia was my first school, and I realized I just submit crap since one of my reason for attending columbia is I liked the cohort system, Lame)
Ding After INT: Ross (bad Interview)
Waitlist + Summer Waitlist: Kellogg

Second Attempt:
Ding: Kellogg (mistake interviewing with Adcom, did bad, worst part was that it was optional)
Admit: Ross (Pretty decent Phone Interview, No Visit, pretty sure it was good enough for a Yes vote)
Waiting: UCLA PT, INSEAD JAN 2011

PS another word of advice, don't apply your favorite school first. Each one of my essays was better than the last. Also reading the essay topics before you apply is good, since Kellogg and ross's essay topics were also better places for my stories since Ross as a "time you struggled in life" and Kellogg as like 3 essays about "why you are special"

BTW, I HATE WRITING, so hopefully this post gives some people hope. ARIEL, You're NEXT to POST!!

Aptly said. Great post

Jivana

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14 Mar 2010, 21:35

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GoBruins, I was not aware of your Ross admit till I stumbled across this thread....and what a pleasant surprise it was to see your Ross admit!

wow man, wow! :-D

Congrats! you deserved it! :beer

GoBruin

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Schools: Ross 2012

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14 Mar 2010, 22:01

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AtifS

WoW! Congrats man. I am also in a same boat you were before but my transcript is all messed up. once I got 2.51 and then it's been low

. Your post did boost me and I am trying to take some courses like Calculus,Statistics and Accounting. Problem is we don't have community colleges but Linda from Accepted.com suggested online course so will try that and also have to ace GMAT. I am aiming Haas, Ross, and UCLA or Cornell so do pray for me guys. And best of luck with your future ahead.

There are several online extention course that you can try. I belive both UCLA and Berkeley has something. But not sure.

coaks

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15 Mar 2010, 10:36

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ariel

I remember starting a thread on this very same topic a while back before I even started working on apps and I've come a long way since. It hasn't been easy but I, among others, am proof that a low GPA can absolutely be overcome. Just hit me up on PM if there's anything I can do to help anyone who is in the same situation as I was. I'll be happy to share what I have learned and hope that my experience can be of help to someone. Best of luck!

Congrats ariel! I believe you initially were planning on applying for Class of 2011 with 3 years of WE at matriculation but it looks like you ended up pushing back to Class of 2012 with 4 years WE?

Do you think this had a big or small impact on your awesome application results?

ariel

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Concentration: Corp Fin

Schools:Ross (R2), Cornell (R3) , UNC (R3) , INSEAD (R1 Jan)

GPA: 1.87

WE 1: Advisory (2 yrs)

WE 2: FP & Analysis (2 yrs at matriculation)

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15 Mar 2010, 11:38

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coakleym

ariel

Thanks, coakleym! IMO WE has to be looked at in the context of the application as a whole. I believe that in my case it did make a difference, and it probably does so more often for borderline cases than others.

vanilla

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26 Mar 2010, 00:01

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Hi guys,

Thought I'd share my story as well.

F/640 GMAT (67% quant)/89% GPA/Asian

Admitted to: Darden, UNC, Georgetown

I really thought it was a stretch for me to aim for these schools given my low GMAT and not spectacular GPA. The one thing I had going for me was my work experience. I have 5 years work experience in an MNC with excellent career progression (4 promotions to date) and strong international experience. I focused my essays on the quantitative contributions I made to my company to highlight my quant aptitude. I also asked my recommenders to focus on my analytical abilities.

Contrary to many people's advice, I wrote in the optional essay section of the applications. I explained that my work experience and achievements were better measures of my quantitative abilities.

I was honestly surprised with my Darden admit. Their 2011 class stats show an 80% range of 680-750. What were the odds of me getting in with my 640? Certainly better than I expected

So for those with low GMATs, I think it's really true when they say that GMAT is only one piece of the puzzle. Good luck

ntpaledo

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26 Mar 2010, 04:22

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Got in to Georgetown with a 640 GMAT, around 3 GPA and 4 years of WE.

Low GMAT, or low GPA, or no WE doesn't mean anything, an MBA application should be approached holistically, you should focus on an area you can, to overcome minor deficiencies elsewhere.

Attitude is everything and if you get invited for an interview, approach it with confidence like you wouldn't care about the outcome. Speak with passion about what you do and what your goals are, it's certain you will win over your interviewer and get a good feedback.

Just my 2 cents

GrantChap

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Schools:Kellog(R3),Olin (R3),Owen (R4),Tepper(R3),Johnson (R4)

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Updated on: 07 Apr 2010, 11:49

Originally posted by GrantChap on 26 Mar 2010, 09:36.
Last edited by GrantChap on 07 Apr 2010, 11:49, edited 1 time in total.

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2.88 GPA (downward trending), 690 GMAT (43 Q, 40 V), and applying only in March and April rounds. I surely thought all cards were stacked against me. Though the verdict is still out on nearly all schools I do have some glimmer of hope for low GPA applicants with my admittance to WUSTL Olin.

It may have helped that my GPA is from a Doctor of Pharmacy program, but it is from an average state school. I applied only in final rounds because I was recalled back to active duty in the Army for a 1+ year deployment, but I was subsequently released for medical reasons. For this reason, I took the shotgun approach and applied to 7 schools in about a month hoping I would just get in somewhere. I did address my low and downward GPA in the optional essay. I shared how I was focused on playing in rock bands throughout college and did not devote sufficient time to school. I followed by stating how my initial WE (Army) completely changed my life, and I have nothing but shining reviews since.

Kellogg - Interviewed (no decision)
Owen - Interviewed (ADMITTED)
Olin -Interviewed (ADMITTED)
Tepper - Interviewed (no decision)
Fuqua - Interview scheduled (no decision)
Johnson - Submitted
Tuck - Submitted

JoeMa

Joined: 25 Mar 2010

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Updated on: 27 May 2010, 13:44

Originally posted by JoeMa on 26 Mar 2010, 15:00.
Last edited by JoeMa on 27 May 2010, 13:44, edited 1 time in total.

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asdasdasd

JunhungChen

Joined: 26 May 2010

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27 May 2010, 13:34

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gentlemen, and ladies, can you still take online course when youve miserably graduated from college?
i would think about that too taking 100 calculus and economics courses to raise my stupid grade up
and how much is each course?
if its not too costly, then i'll definitely go with that

GoalsSetHigh

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28 May 2010, 05:59

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I guy I work with just graduated from Kellogg, and he had a 630 GMAT, but I'm not sure what his GPA was.

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28 May 2010, 10:01

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JunhungChen

Well if you've already graduated, taking a class isn't going to have any impact on your GPA (at least at almost all schools in the U.S.), if that's what you mean. I believe the advantage is that you generate a supplementary transcript that shows you have since done well in particular courses.

GoBruin

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28 May 2010, 11:13

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JunhungChen

There are varying degrees of impact. But generally Alternate Transcript will help to support that you are A) serious about going to b-school, B) getting A's show that you have the capacity to succeed in Bschool.

Just to update my info.

UG GPA 2.1

2009
CBS ED - Ding w/o Int
Chicago - Ding w/o Int
Ross - Ding w/ Int
Kellogg - WL + Summer WL

2010
Kellogg - Ding w/ Int
UCLA PT - Admit
Ross - Admit
INSEAD - WL w/ Int

ariel

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Concentration: Corp Fin

Schools:Ross (R2), Cornell (R3) , UNC (R3) , INSEAD (R1 Jan)

GPA: 1.87

WE 1: Advisory (2 yrs)

WE 2: FP & Analysis (2 yrs at matriculation)

Posts: 352

Kudos: 139

29 May 2010, 00:39

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Happy to report an admit from INSEAD this morning. I really think I got lucky with some of the admits, I'm not that good, but I do think there are a lot of things one can improve about their application and being informed and prepared always helps.

I've been sharing my experience and trying to help everyone who has reached out to me with their predicament and will continue to do so the best I can. I'm honored to be an inspiration to others despite my 1.87 GPA. For the benefit of other readers however, please consider posting on the forum as well. I recognize that not everyone feels comfortable sharing details of their story even in an anonymous fashion, so if you prefer to chat offline, I'm always available.

JunhungChen

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30 May 2010, 06:20

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ok, from now on, if anyone or if you know anyone that's got into top business schools with f'ing low gpa's, i mean ''f'ing''!! someone considers 3.1 low, and hell no, it ain't low for people like us who don't know how many f's they've got.
if somebody has gpa below 3.0, 2.5 or even lower, and got into schools like they listed before, please show ur your gpa, gmat score, or your work experience in more detail. let us know how to defeat the low gpa. and of course, so we can get to understand how these schools evalulate their applicants, thanks a bunch!!!!
i know applying to good business schools is not an easy road, and i know having gpa is bad for your chances, but i wanna know how much i have to do to make it back, thanks really!

scbguy

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Schools:IE Business School, Manchester Business School, HEC Paris, Rotterdam School of Management, Babson College

GPA: 2.5

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04 Jun 2010, 06:47

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Went to a small liberal arts school in iowa, graduated with a cgpa 2.7/2.8 double major business and political scieneces. Relatively active in extra curriculars, RA, political science club, international club, fraternity, tutor for political science and micro/macro 1. 80 % scholarship and worked three jobs on campus. Pretty much everywhere from the cafteria, alumni office, janitorial staff, library
Have approx four and a half years of cross border banking experience, 2 and a half in retail banking ( consumer risk, product management ( asset product- secured and unsecured ), sales in Pakistan and then moved to Dubai for Corporate Banking- trade finance covering the regional markets of Middle East and North Africa.
Contributed over the years for humanity i.e citizens foundation
Just gave my gmat, got a 580.
Possible preferences are UVA, Georgetown, Columbia, NYU, Cornell, Fuqua, Kellogg
Any advice, recommendations, suggestions ?
Thanks :-D

shaselai

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Status:What's your raashee?

Location: United States (NC)

Concentration: Strategy, Finance

Schools: UNC (Kenan-Flagler) - Class of 2013

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V39 Verified score

WE:Programming (Computer Software)

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Schools: UNC (Kenan-Flagler) - Class of 2013

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V39 Verified score

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04 Jun 2010, 11:43

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am i too reaching here with my scores?
gpa UG 2.92 Engineering
gpa Grad 3.27 (rounded from 3.267) Comp. Sci
GMAT 720
Decent extracurricular in school (student senate etc.) but out of school job and MS took a big chunk of time...

I am at a place where i just cant "f'n stand it anymore" and i need to get the heck out before i go berserk so i am applying to a lot of schools...
R1:
CBS ED
Guizetta ED
Fuqua ED
Yale
Keenan ED

R2 - as many as i can before R2 deadline...
Johnson
tepper
ross
McDonough
darden
stern
tuck
kellog
booth

The bottom 4 are on my "wishlist" although my goal is still Yale because of the financial incentive (parents work there so some tuition relief). I know Yale and CBS are gonna be far reaches but other schools my gpa is bit on the low scale but my GMAT is on the higher scale so hope it balances out... I didn't get any Fs but I did F up my junior year with trying to go Pre-Med from eng and that failed with Ds

Also there was a class that was a pain to take and i took it 3 times and got a C on - mostly because it was at 8am all 3 times i took it due to schedule conflicts... Basically i went from Dean's list fresh-soph to the crapper in jun-sen....