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Will a good GMAT score make a difference with an average GPA

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Will a good GMAT score make a difference with an average GPA

by scoseg » Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:56 am
Hello,
I just came across this site and know it will be extremely helpful as I begin my journey. I have spent the last few days considering the GMAT and plan to start studying next week. I have many questions around MBA programs but will hold off until I get through the GMAT.

I did extremely well in high school but didn't take college too seriously. I earned a 3.0 GPA in MIS at Kansas State University which is far from impressive.

I have been working in the real world for almost ten years now and have done well relative to others my age in my career. I have also learned the value of an education. My wife is extremely well educated and has driven me to advance my knowledge.

I was hoping some of you might be able to provide insight on my situation. I have ten great years of experience (five years at a "Big 5" and spent the last four years in management at a large media company) but I also have a 3.0 GPA from a state school. I know the GMAT is one piece of the puzzle when getting accepting into MBA programs along with essays and references (both of which I feel will be strong). My main concern is, with my current credentials, even if I nail the GMAT, will it really matter? With a 3.0 GPA and a 700 on the GMAT is there really much difference with a 550 with all else the same? My goal would be to get into a good program (top 50, possibly top 25) but I'm wondering if all of my other criteria are great and my GPA is low, does it knock me down quite a bit?

I realize lower GPAs are accepted into top level programs but they are few and far between. I'm just interested in the thoughts of the group as I begin the study book purchasing process.

Thanks for any insight and thanks again for the excellent resources.
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Re: Will a good GMAT score make a difference with an average

by Alpha800 » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:24 pm
Hi scoseg, welcome.

I'm no expert on this subject but I feel I have sufficient knowledge to offer some comments.

In the example you offer, where a 3.00 GPA is paired with a GMAT score of 550 vs. 700, there is a HUGE, HUGE difference. A GPA of 3.00 with 550, you can almost bet the house that you won't get accepted into a Top 25 MBA program. But with a 700 score, it's quite possible if other parts of your total application demonstrates that you're qualified. Most schools want to see progress in your work experience, i.e. that you've advanced, been promoted and taken on more leadership roles. If you can indeed show that in the 10 years of working experience that you've had, then with a GMAT score of 700, you should be able to get into many B-schools. Furthermore, the longer you've been out of school (undergrad) the less your GPA will be counted. People change in 10 years. Your ability to do well academically is not entirely represented by your GPA from 10 years ago. If you can do very well on the GMAT today--e.g. 720--and you can demonstrate you've progressively advanced in your career, then a GPA of 3.0 will not matter too much. But a score of 550 will certainly doom your chances of getting into a Top MBA program. The main point being that your GMAT score is a measure of your abilities today and your GPA was a measure 10 years ago. You need to convince them why the score representing today matters more than the score representing 10 years ago.

Bottom line: a GPA of 3.0 & a GMAT score of 700+ & 10 years of progressively advancing work experience should be competitive. Work on the essay/personal statement. You can convince the B-school why your 3.0 GPA of 10 years ago shouldn't matter as much now, especially if you've scored a 700+ on the GMAT today.

Good luck!
scoseg wrote:Hello,
I just came across this site and know it will be extremely helpful as I begin my journey. I have spent the last few days considering the GMAT and plan to start studying next week. I have many questions around MBA programs but will hold off until I get through the GMAT.

I did extremely well in high school but didn't take college too seriously. I earned a 3.0 GPA in MIS at Kansas State University which is far from impressive.

I have been working in the real world for almost ten years now and have done well relative to others my age in my career. I have also learned the value of an education. My wife is extremely well educated and has driven me to advance my knowledge.

I was hoping some of you might be able to provide insight on my situation. I have ten great years of experience (five years at a "Big 5" and spent the last four years in management at a large media company) but I also have a 3.0 GPA from a state school. I know the GMAT is one piece of the puzzle when getting accepting into MBA programs along with essays and references (both of which I feel will be strong). My main concern is, with my current credentials, even if I nail the GMAT, will it really matter? With a 3.0 GPA and a 700 on the GMAT is there really much difference with a 550 with all else the same? My goal would be to get into a good program (top 50, possibly top 25) but I'm wondering if all of my other criteria are great and my GPA is low, does it knock me down quite a bit?

I realize lower GPAs are accepted into top level programs but they are few and far between. I'm just interested in the thoughts of the group as I begin the study book purchasing process.

Thanks for any insight and thanks again for the excellent resources.
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by VP_Jim » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:22 pm
I completely agree with the first response. There is a huge difference between a 550 and a 700. You have a stellar application other than the GPA (in fact, have a look at the average GPAs at top schools - most are in the 3.4-3.5 range, so you're not THAT far off). It's easy to explain away mediocre undergrad grades if you've proven yourself since then. A top GMAT score would go a long way to showing programs that you're ready to buckle down and take school seriously. I'd be very surprised if you got many rejections from top 25 programs IF you were to score 700.

On the other hand, as the above poser stated, you'd most likely be summarily rejected from most top schools with the 3.0 + 550. Those are both average metrics, and average applicants don't get into top programs.

So, get to work - with a great GMAT score, the sky is the limit for you!
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
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by scoseg » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:45 pm
Thanks to both of you for the sound advice. Hopefully I can do well on the GMAT and prove to admissions that my desire to excel in academics has increased since leaving school some time ago. Now it's time to figure out a study plan and get to it!
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