GPA vs. the chance to get offers from top business school

Question

I looked on some schools' stats and saw that average GPA is quite high for example Sloan's MBA is about 3.6. 
What if my GPA is around 3.3 and 3.6, will it have significant difference?
Assume I have 3 years of work experience and my GMAT is above average of top business schools.

broall · Answer

Generally, the higher GPA is, the better. However, GPA needs to be put on a background to make sense.

For example, the average GPA for that school is 3.6. And your GPA is 3.4. We all know that 3.4 is much smaller than 3.6. Hence, your chance to get accepted could be low, not to mention the probability for scholarship.

However, what will happend if your score 3.4 ranked first place in your college? Moreover, your college is the top school for engineering/economics/... Now, your score 3.4 COULD help you win scholarship, let alone get accepted!

Another example, if your GPA is 3.8 but your 3 years working experience isn't impressive. Then your application will be under serious consideration. The probability of reject could get higher.

99Colleges · Answer

Hi gzsakuraz,

Of course nothing better than scoring above average on both, but a higher (than median) GMAT score + lower GPA is better than a lower GMAT + higher GPA.

One, GMAT score is almost always a more (than GPA) recent reflection of your academic ability. Two, it’s more objective (everyone takes the same test under same testing conditions) than GPA. And, three, GMAT score is more noticed than GPA by prospective applicants and rankings (in U.S. News ranking, test score carries double the weight than does GPA).

Another point, GPA doesn’t tell the entire story. There are lots of nuances rolled into that single number: quality of institution, rigor of the program, challenging courses (you’re more prone to poor grades here), and standing in the class, to name few. So when GPA is juxtaposed with these layers, it may be viewed somewhat differently from what the number seems to suggest.

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Your GPA will be seen as below avg now other things like the quality of your school and rigor of your major will certainly factor in so it is not an absolute measure. Also, your GMAT can raise the perception of your aptitude so this is another area you can use as a leverage point

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

If your GMAT is solid and higher than the average then there's less pressure on the GPA for sure. It's a holistic process - you're going to need to make this up in other areas your application but it is not going to dictate the decision. Also what would be a 3.3 or 3.4 in one country would be the equivalent of a 3.6 in another. For this reason I think it's often a good idea to get a WES evaluation. My clients have included that in their applications and I think that it does help. Just keep in mind this is a holistic process if you can show how you add diversity in terms of background, industry experience at cetera then that will definitely help your cause. One of my clients recently graduated from Sloan he is Asian, tough demographic, had a 3.3 from UW Foster and so so GMAT score that I think was a 700. In his words "zero extracurriculars." However we did a really great job of articulating the uniqueness of his work experience, impact at work, and the leadership he demonstrated in his parents garment business.

https://MBAPrepCoach.COM

GPA vs. the chance to get offers from top business school

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