Re-applicant's nightmare: GMAT 730 with low GPA - should I retake?

Question

Hello GMATClub members, Re-applicant here

Applied to a top bschool in R2 this year with my 730GMAT (Q49, V41, IR7, AWA5) and an awful GPA of 2.7 and - surprise surprise - got rejected (without an interview)

. I showed my (international, non-traditional, non-overrepresented) background to a few people and everyone agreed that it was my GPA, my profile is strong besides that and would fit the program I am targeting. I want to reapply to the same program in R1 this year so I have a couple of months to think what to do. Tried kindly asking the school if they had any feedback and they declined. My first thought is obviously retaking the GMAT (don't get me wrong, if it weren't for my weak GPA I would be over the moon with the 730). When I took the GMAT my mocks were 710-730 so it's not like I was expecting more at this stage in my GMAT prep, and I was hoping it would somewhat offset my GPA, which clearly wasn't the case. Would it be wise to use these months before reapplying to try to get my score up to 750? If not, any other advice on what courses/ additional certificates to work on that would help me make a stronger (academic) case this time? For what it's worth, I wasn't partying during my undergrad, but was forced to work full-time due to unexpected circumstances (not meant as an excuse, just to give some additional background). Appreciate your time and thoughts

AdmitExpert · Answer

coccinelle13 Sorry to hear that you got a rejection. If the school in question did reject you because of the GPA, then a GMAT improvement of 10-20 points is not going to offset that low GPA. You can consider taking certifications/courses that are relevant to your post-MBA goal at a reputable institution to show the adcom that you are serious about your goals and that you are capable of handling rigorous courses (along with a full-time job). Without knowing which school you applied to, it's difficult to provide specific advice. However, if you are an international applicant, it's important to keep in mind that the competition can be especially fierce, especially if your school has an average GMAT around 730, and you may need to broaden your list of target schools. We would like to understand your profile better and evaluate your submissions to give a more detailed review. For a 1-1 strategy session, please write to contactus@admitexpert.com or fill the form at http://www.admitexpert.com Good luck!

coccinelle13 · Answer

Thank you for your feedback AdmitExpert , will be in touch to see if you can help me on my MBA journey, appreciated!

MBADecoder · Answer

Sorry to hear about your results! If you are reapplying to some MBA programs, the adcoms would surely want to see improvements in your profile, and a higher GMAT score can definitely help. A 730 GMAT is great no doubt, but it depends on which programs you applied to with this score. It is an average score at some of the top ranked MBAs.

Here is what I would recommend to show a better academic record.
1. retake the GMAT with an aim to score above 730
2. Take up some academic courses to make up for the low GMAT score- typically subjects such as statistics, calculus and/or Math help. I would strongly recommend this. 
3. There are other options such a MBA Math, but the academic courses from a college/ university would help more.
4. Lastly- build up the rest of your profile so that you have some new updates on that front as well- more leadership responsibilities at work, a promotion or maybe involvement in some extra curricular activities.

coccinelle13 · Answer

Thank you  MBADecoder  for taking the time to reply, much appreciated. I will try my best to improve my profile as you suggested, have never heard of MBA Math so I will check that out, too. Thank you!

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi  coccinelle13  hope this finds you well

For maximum impact, I highly recommend that MBA applicants connect with Business schools before submitting their application. Top Global B Schools attract exceptional applicants, so it's essential to connect with someone from the admissions office/staff/ambassadors to gauge your profile and fit for the program early on. This is especially crucial if there's a profile aspect that the school might not view favorably, like a low GPA. By taking this step, you'll have an opportunity to showcase yourself in the best light possible before an official representative, which will increase your chances of securing an interview call.

Furthermore, I noticed that you were shocked to receive a rejection without an interview invitation. This suggests that the school you applied to might have a high rate of turnover for sending out interview invitations (is it an Indian B school?). If this is the case, I strongly advise having an expert thoroughly analyze your application and essays because the school may have had other reasons, besides your undergrad GPA, for not considering you for an interview. Taking this action could mean the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Happy to advise should you need.

Best wishes

bb · Answer

Quick question, have you included your explanation of your GPA in an optional essay?

I’m assuming so but sometimes it’s challenging so wanted to check 😬

Posted from my mobile device

coccinelle13 · Answer

Hello  MBAGuide ,

Thank you for your insights - it's a US b-school, and while I understand the school is competitive, it is a niche program for which (I believe) I tick the right boxes, hence I thought I would get a chance for interview.

I did reach out to the admissions office/ staff/ ambassadors/ alumni/ current students to get a good overview of the program, and since this was the only program I applied to it felt like I had much more time to dig deep than someone who might have applied to 6-10 schools. Again, very aware that this is very competitive, but I can't quite see how someone who applied to more schools would have had time to dig so deep for each school.

It really is the GPA, and if that is the case, there might not be much what I can do about it. I have asked around if I should work on the GMAT and quite often I got the reply that 'if the GPA was the reason, increasing from 730 won't make them forget about the GPA'... hmmm. So that's where I'm stuck.

I wonder if others in a similar position as I have seen alternative courses that would be viewed favorable by the AdCom. I'm just throwing this out there because it shows up on various study platforms next to GMAT - CPA? Please don't shoot me for this, it seems to be highly rigorous (and that is all I know about these three letters) but is there anything that would show a sustained interest in an MBA from an academic point of view if increasing my GMAT won't do the trick?

coccinelle13 · Answer

Hello bb , Thank you so much for your reply! That was actually a question I debated about in my head for a very long time. I read through many opinion polls on this before submitting my application and felt there were three opinions on how to address a low GPA: (1) You shouldn't write an optional essay that focuses only on your GPA and expect them to feel pity for you, work extra hard on your academics (GMAT) (2) You should put it front and center in one of your main essays and describe what you learned from the experience (3) You should explain shortly in your optional essay (3-4 sentences) I went for (3), no pity elements, very brief, and hoped that getting a 730 on the GMAT showed that I was capable of academics (thereby addressing (1)), buy clearly this didn't work out. This time around I am planning to use (2) as my strategy, but I still need something to be more credible academically I feel - might you have any thoughts on the above? Thank you for your time, much appreciated

MBAGuide · Answer

coccinelle13 
Kudos to you for putting in the effort to conduct comprehensive research on the program and tapping various sources for information! If you plan to reapply for the next cycle, I suggest you be an early bird and yet demonstrate significant progress in your learning and efforts in your profile. Moreover, don't forget to explore interim options such as internships or working on part-time/full-time projects in your desired field to showcase your skills and dedication to achieving your post MBA goals.

It might also be worthwhile to explore other academic courses or certifications that can highlight your enthusiasm and commitment to pursuing an MBA. For instance, you mentioned the CPA, a well-regarded credential in finance and accounting, can demonstrate your competence and analytical interest. However, it's vital to research whether the AdCom views these alternatives favorably and whether they align with your aspirations and interests at all. Consider enrolling in courses that can demonstrate your academic passion and commitment to your goals.

Nonetheless, it's crucial to acknowledge that not everything is within our control. Focusing solely on failure and fixating on the missed opportunity can only impede your progress. Instead, consider gradually shifting your attention towards discovering other good opportunities, including other schools or alternative programs that can align with your career objectives.

Best wishes to you and hope it goes well for you as an early applicant.

coccinelle13 · Answer

Thank you MBAGuide for your encouraging words.

I will try my best and might reach out to you through your website after having gained a deeper understanding of INSEAD - I see that you have a strong background there, not sure if the school is a fit for me yet, but will see!

Thank you for your feedback, appreciated

Angry-Indian-male · Answer

Hey, this seems like a great profile for a top school, but I believe more in-depth review would be required to get an idea of the odds to get into the schools

Re-applicant's nightmare: GMAT 730 with low GPA - should I retake?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards