Good GPA at weaker school?

Question

How big of a factor is your undergraduate school in admissions?

I have a good GPA (3.65 cum, 3.85 major) but only at the so-so school of UC Davis. Some people at this forum have worse GPAs but they attended much better UG schools.

I'm hoping my school doesn't weaken my app too much.

First post of mine, thanks GMAT Club!

MyMBAAdmit · Answer

Vsw00t,

By itself, your GPA is is strong for being above 3.5 (cum) and even better for being above 3.7 (major).

However, it is a single component of your overall application package. It definitely won't be a weakness (regardless of where it is from) but the strength of your application depends on multiple components such as GPA, GMAT, essays, profile and fit for the particular school you are applying to.

ManhattanReview · Answer

It is not a problem at all. I have a friend who went to UC Davis and graduated from Columbia Business School in 2001. She had a near perfect SAT score though. :-)

Then she went on to investment banking and has survived all the craze on the street including the internet bubble right after her graduation. So undergrad school is by no means a determinant of a person's career success. In terms of your application, demonstrate your potential for your stated goals. Below are some major elements we recommend you to show in your application. 1) Evidence of achievement. Achievements need to be significant either by the hurdles you had to overcome or by the net result. 2) Evidence of intellect. This is demonstrated partly through GMAT and previous academic record. In addition, a sophisticated level of analysis and a subtle and nuanced approach to intellectual problems in the workplace. 3) Evidence of character. Specifically: a) Team orientation b) Leadership potential c) Self-awareness d) Cultural sensitivity and awareness e) Drive and ambition f) Authenticity and Integrity Focus on your uniquenesses and convince others why you can be a high-achiever after b-school. We have a great team of admissions consultants who are former admissions committee members. Please feel free to email us at admissions@manhattanreview.com. Our detailed services are outlined here: manhattan-review-mba-admissions-consulting-services-overview-89049.html Feel free to drop us a line if you need any assistance during your application process.

vsw00t · Answer

Wow! Very informative posts from both of you, especially ManhattanReview. I appreciate it! I'll definitely be checking out your services once I start my apps.

Another question:  I'm 22 now, soon to be 23 this year. Is my age going to bring down my application at top 15 schools? I've been reading that average ages are trending downward, but not as low as 23. I'll be focusing in marketing.

Thanks!

MyMBAAdmit · Answer

Vsw00t,

As a MBA student at University of Chicago, I had classmates with an age range of 21-45, with an average age of 27. The youngest member had entered the MBA program directly after her undergraduate degree, and still obtained a choice job after graduation.

Age is a factor in MBA admissions, but not necessarily one of the largest ones. We have already established that you have a strong GPA. Other aspects that you should focus on to ensure a strong application are quality of your essays, clear career goals, and the reasons why you are applying to a MBA program now, versus two years later. Although your age/fewer years of work experience might be seen as a gap, essays/letters of recommendation that clearly establish that you have the career need (through essays) and capabilities (through letters) to be a part of the incoming MBA class would help to mitigate it.

Thinking about this would be a good exercise for your overall MBA application as well, and help you clearly evaluate the reasons for yourself on why you are applying for a MBA this year.

tan888 · Answer

For you the GPA component looks solid. I don't think you have anything to be anxious about there. You should spend your energy focusing on what you can do to make the other aspects of your application that are under your control stronger.

Good GPA at weaker school?

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