Scared about low GPA

Question

Hello everyone,
So here's my MBA story:

White male/33/gay (does this matter?)/GPA 3.005/attended a University of California school/GMAT aiming for at least 700 (practice tests have been around there and still a month and a half before test.

So my story goes that I went off to college, didn't really know what I wanted to do, started in Pre-Med (hated it), did fine first year, then my father passed away (suicide), my grades plummeted, I changed major to Theater, got decent grades, Dean's list quite a few times, ended up graduating with a 3.005 after 5 years (the dad thing REALLy messed me up). I moved to New York (persuing the dream-dream didn't happen). Worked for a Major hotel at the Front Desk for 6 years (the money was suprisrisingly REALLLY good - so didn't take opportunities for advancement, although I was Shift Lead, had highest upsell record and enrollment in loyalty program 4 years in a row-huge deal to the hotel, not sure about Grad Schools), transferred to a Sales position at an even better hotel. Along the way I've cross-trained in several of our sister properties: 2 years in Marketing, 1 year in Copywriting, took Graphic Design/Marketing Courses at NYU (all A's). I have 2 bosses that will no doubt write rave reviews for me. I have quite a few extracurricular going on for me: was published in 6 literary journals, wrote a novel (that never got picked up), an accomplished pianist (creativity and marketing is where I shine), was a gymnastics coach and team captain, was an assistant manager during college, am the first one in my family to graduate from college (let alone grad school), took part in Leadership Development Program at UC. So I'm at a point where I'm sort of trying to spin everything into an example of leadership (ie: holding the family together after father passed away). My question is: clearly my GPA is lacking, and I'm not so sure that schools are going to be thrilled that I was a Theater major. Also I don't really have any official management roles. I wanted to apply to some top schools, but is it a lost cause? I have no doubt I could craft an outstanding essay, I'm just worried about how to phrase/spin the content. I wanted to apply to Columbia and NYU (both close to me), Georgetown, UCLA, USC, and Booth. Boston University and Boston College (both backups). I'm applying first round. Any advice is much appreciated.

joshhowatt · Answer

Sorry. Did I say 33? I'm actually 32. LOL. Jeez this whole freak out is really messing with me.

Also, I failed to mention that I began this whole application process 3 years ago, but ran into some medical issues. Which are now resolved. (It's been a difficult life to say the least. But hey I'm still here. And that's somehing.

)

Jacksparrow1906 · Answer

I don't believe you should be worrying about your grades at all. You certainly are a non-traditional candidate between your career, age, etc., but it seems like you have a great story to tell. If you do well on the gmat and can bring out all your unique qualities/strengths in your essays, you should be fine. Your essays are going to be really important and you want to make sure that your past experience and your future aspirations make logical sense. In the end, B-schools want to know that you can succeed in the classroom, can add value to the overrall class, and can get hired by companies that recruit at the schools. I think you can certainly get into top 10 and top 20 schools.

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Hey old man! I'm in the over 30 club too! And I had a low undergrad GPA. I haven't had a history of fast promotions either and was also in one job for 5 years. I thought all of these factors would sink any chances I had at gaining admission to a top b-school. To my surprise they did not.

Yes, you are on the cusp of being a bit too old. You likely only have 1 shot at getting into your schools (maybe 2 shots, but applying at 33 is really pushing it). I would focus on shoring up your weak areas for next year's application cycle. Your GMAT quant score is going to go a long way toward helping or hurting your case. You may also want to enroll in a stats and/or calculus course at a local college. As for your leadership, you've got it in spades. Leadership isn't just about a title (although titles definitely help). It's about getting people to follow you. Coaching is definitely an experience I would use to highlight leadership skills. I'm sure you've worked on team projects at work too. Maybe the project was falling apart and you were the person who got everyone regrouped and moving in the right direction. These are all stories that b-schools like to hear. The most important thing for you is to be air tight on exactly why you need an MBA and why you need it now. I cannot stress enough how tight your career goals must be. They must make sense given your previous experience and you need to spell out how everything ties together (current skillset + need for MBA + post MBA career goal). This is where your maturity gets to shine through.

Overall, I don't think your greatest challenge will be your age or GPA. Instead I think your career choices and trajectory will need a lot of explaining. Top schools have a huge bias for candidates from well known companies (across all industries) that are selective in their hiring. If your job seems like one anyone can get, no matter how much you've accomplished it will be a strike against you. If you can find some way to to communicate how selective your jobs are (maybe only 2 front desk managers a year move into the sales and marketing department) you will be better positioned.

AmericanWoman · Answer

My GPA was low and to add insult to injury I was an English Major. I fared pretty well in the application process, so don't be scared! To mitigate the GPA, I took courses in Stats and Calc at an extension school, and for three months my solitary goal in life was to score well on the GMAT. After that, work on constructing your story so that it makes sense to the admissions committee and that your reasons for wanting/needing your MBA are clear and coherent. I had five positions on my resume, so I had to put in work to make sure that it looked like each step in my career was a conscious decision and that I wasn't just floating with the tide. Your obstacles are opportunities to shine if you position them effectively.

swbluedevil · Answer

To mitigate the low GPA, I would kill the GMAT and build up an alternative transcript (accounting, econ, stats, calculus, etc).

novanative · Answer

You have a lot of good stuff to add in your essays. Kick ass on the GMAT, make sure your essays are coherent, and I think you'll get into at least some of these schools.

threestripes · Answer

I truly believe that you have got a strong story that could get you into most of your schools if told effectively. I applied with a low GPA and my first full-time job out of undergrad was as a receptionist, but I was still accepted to the schools to which I applied. Seeing that you have extensive experience in writing, I don't see why you couldn't write inspirational essays that will get all your schools at least interested enough to interview you.

CBS, Stern and Anderson seem to give a little bit more focus on the GPA and GMAT than their respective peer schools. However, since you are 32, the GPA is less likely to play a significant role in your application as your GMAT score will give them a better idea as to whether you will be able to hack the academic aspects of b-school. Therefore, a high GMAT score could convince them to not put too much weight on your GPA.

It appears that you picked schools that are based in major cities. Are there any other reasons why you picked only the schools that are in New York, LA, Chicago and Boston? I ask because how you answer "why X/Y/Z school?" is crucial... especially since your GPA is below average.

Good luck! Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

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aalba005 · Answer

I think you have a great story, have you considered building an alternative transcript?

You could always enroll in the local CC in 2-3 classes at nights or weekends in Financial Account, Managerial Economics or even Calculus 1 to show your transcript from 6+ years ago is not representative of your abilities. I hear a lot of students with low GPAs were quite successful with this approach.

Good luck!

joshhowatt · Answer

Thanks everyone for the advice. This makes me feel much, MUCH better. SO due to some recommendations above, I've begun looking into taking CC classes. Quick question: will admissions give the same credence to Continuing Education classes as they would to regular Undergraduate classes? They're about a third of the price, but I'm also assuming not nearly as difficult (as they're about 15 hours in total.)

Should I suck it up and take one Undergad class or 3 Continuing Education courses? My only options are pretty much Hunter and Baruch college, both CUNYs.

Should I suck it up and take one Undergad class or 3 Continuing Education courses? My only options are pretty much Hunter and Baruch college, both CUNYs.

novanative · Answer

With continuing ed vs. college classes, the adcom will probably make little to no difference.

In my honest opinion however, unless all of your quant classes were consistently bad (C's or worse), your money is best spent on the GMAT and doing well there. You did say that you had an upward trend as your college years wore on, so that should mitigate any possible need to take these classes.

If you decided to take classes anyway, do it at a community college, so you can pay the in state rate.

MBAbot · Answer

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Scared about low GPA

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