Gpa ranges of top-schools

Dear articreco,

Most schools are sincere when they say there is not a minimum required GPA. However, it is part of your evaluation and will be viewed relative to the rest of your application like your GMAT score, professional work experience, and any courses taken since college. If you do not demonstrate in some way that you have the aptitude, commitment and motivation to succeed in the classroom, it will be difficult for an admissions committee to feel comfortable admitting you. Since the US schools use one GPA scale and EU schools use a different one, that could be the reason you are not seeing much in terms of an average GPA or range. Generally speaking, a fair estimate for a mid-50% range on GPA will be 3.1-3.6. There have been folks that have been admitted to top MBA programs with less than a 3.0, but probably not less than a 2.0 as most US colleges/universities do not award undergraduate degrees if the individual has a GPA under 2.0. For those applicants in the 2.0-2.9 range to be successful in the admissions process, they do need to have an otherwise stellar application package and evidence of academic aptitude through a GMAT score and alternative transcript. Likewise, it is highly recommended applicants with low GPAs write the optional essay addressing this point.

Good luck,
Lisa