Help Please! Low undergrad GPA, what GMAT score to aim at ?

Expert replies

bole_to: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:05 pm; GMAT Score:520

by bole_to » Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:38 am

Hello all,

I am currently looking to apply for B-schools for the Fall 2010 semester.

Due to partying a lot, I ended up with undergrad GPA of 2.67, however due to good performance in my majors ( i was a dual major), I graduated with Honors in both of my majors ( Accounting and economics).

Currently I am a Graduate student doing MS in Enterprise Risk Management from Queens College, NY ( part of city university of NY). My expected gpa at the end of this program is 3.8-3.9. I have passed all sections of the CPA exam. I am also hoping to clear level 1 of the CFA exam before applying for a B-School.

Work Experience:

I worked for 4 years in retail banking part-time, while going to school. I worked as Teller and Personal Banker.

I am currently working in a Insurance company since past 1.5 yrs, we do For-Profit and Not-For-Profit work for the unions. I started as a Auditor, and was promoted to Quality Assurance Analyst. I was promoted again to the title of Collections supervisor.

I want to join NYU part time/full time or Columbia full time. What should be the GMAT score I should be targeting considering my low undergrad GPA ?

What role does Graduated GPA plays in offsetting low undergrad GPA ?

All advice and insights are appreciated. Thanks.

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant | Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:38 am

Paxton Helms - Kaplan: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 290; Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:36 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Location: Washington, DC; Thanked: 28 times

by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:06 am

Hi and thanks for your question. A few thoughts:

- Your very strong GPA (combined with your graduating w/ honors in your undergrad majors) should mean that there isn't much concern about your undergrad GPA. Plus, the fact that you have your CPA and the first part of your CFA means that you are plenty smart and plenty focused.

- I think I would shoot for a 700 on the GMAT if at all possible. That seems like a good but realistic (well, it's very good score; not realistic for everyone!!) score that would give you a shot at schools like NYU and Columbia.

- You probably already know this but you have a very interesting work background that shows a lot of drive and persistence: working in college, getting the CPA and CFA, etc., etc. This is all to the good, especially when combined with great work experience after college...

- ...which is really my only concern. How strong is your post-college experience? And how much do you have? If that work experience is good then a 700 (or thereabouts) ought to make you competitive at NYU and Columbia though, as you surely know, there are never guarantees even for outstanding applicants.

Did this answer your question? Keep me in the loop about your thinking--

Paxton

Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton

Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html

Like this post

bole_to: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:05 pm; GMAT Score:520

by bole_to » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:29 am

Thanks for your reply, your inputs are very valuable. I am planning to take the gmat in Aug. I will see how I do. If I do good, I am planning to apply for 2010 fall. If not, I will try to get some more years in and then try again.

Like this post

Paxton Helms - Kaplan: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 290; Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:36 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Location: Washington, DC; Thanked: 28 times

by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:40 pm

I don't know that you need to wait for "years." A year would probably do it. Remember, too, that programs like INSEAD offer varying admission dates.

Paxton

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review