Schools Most Likely To Admit Low GPA Applicants???

Question

I've done a lot of reading on how to overcome a low undergrad gpa, and I feel like I'm in a good place to do that. What is currently weighing on me is everything I read about some schools being more willing than others to overlook a less than stellar gpa. For instance Stanford, Anderson, and Columbia are not likely to forgive less than stellar grades; whereas, Kellogg, Ross, and Johnson might be more forgiving in regard to transcript blemishes. Does anyone have a more complete list of the top business schools and their weighting of gpa in the admissions process? Any advice would be highly appreciated.

P.S. Is it a lost cause applying to Anderson with a 2.99?

P.S. Is it a lost cause applying to Anderson with a 2.99?

prorsum · Answer

First school that rings a bell is Tuck. While your gpa will still be an issue, it seems Tuck would more consider other facets in your application.

ManhattanReview · Answer

We have had luck having students with lower GPA's at almost every school with the exception of HBS and Columbia. 
Of the top programs, I have found that Wharton and Booth read their applications deeply and often overlooked a lower GPA especially if there were real factors that caused it or were compensated for elsewhere (high GMAT, innovative work experience, etc.). The next level schools that are open to students with this issue are UCLA, Duke, Cornell, Michigan and Yale. Directly answering your question, i have found UCLA's admissions staff to be very open to students with both major and minor issues -- however, you have to show that you have overcome this and that your grades (situation) no longer reflect the person you are today.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

machichi · Answer

Read this: https://poetsandquants.com/2012/03/27/gp ... to-get-in/

mappleby · Answer

What is your work experience like? I just got an interview invite from Columbia with a 3.03 GPA, not significantly better than your 2.99. Granted I'm a re-applicant, applying Early Decision and come from the military which is often considered an under-represented group so that probably gives me a little more leeway than somebody in finance or accounting.

Bucket1518 · Answer

I'm a policy and financial analyst for a large state government agency. I'm not sure if it is all that unique, but I have done some cool things. I am responsible for data analysis and managing a financial model that determines over $1.2 BN in hospital and nursing home payments. A financing mechanism I developed this year saved the $10 Mil in general fund oblations. I was on the leadership committee for my department's roll out of new data management system. I have prior experience in international supply chain management, an energy market internship, and a marketing internship. I'm a bit worried that it might look like I jumped around a bit, but I graduated at the height of the recession in winter '08. I took what work I could get, and kept looking for new opportunities to grow and use my skills.

*Edit* Also, I started in chemical engineering in undergrad and it was awful for me. After a switch to econ and poli sci my gpa averaged around 3.2-3.3 with an upward trend. Still not great.

Admissionado · Answer

That's pretty much what most of us have done, but of course we would never admit it in our essays.

The "jumping around" CAN look bad though if you let it, but no matter how diverse and wacky your experience is, I've never seen a profile that couldn't be folded into a beautiful narrative.

Schools Most Likely To Admit Low GPA Applicants???

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