thanks Lisa!
one more followup question...
what range of schools are within reach assuming everything else application wise is up to par.
I'm pretty sure super elites are out but what about georgetown/nyu/indiana/UT-austin/Michigan state?
and what sorts of back up schools should i aim for?
Penn state? and others on that level?
I'm just stressing about the school selection because my credentials aren't as clear cut as a 3.5, 720 gmat and 4 years at Bain &co. I know that fit is important , NYU would be perfect for me, do i have a shot?

Thanks again

Hello,

Everyone keeps calling their GPA low, but my GPA is lower than 2.5 (that's low!) I had medical problems, blah blah, excuses excuses...

After 4 years working as an engineer for 2 years and then promoted to sales engineer, I've been wanting to go into an MBA Program. There's a few here (in Colorado) I'm looking at, but I'm being realistic, I just want ANY MBA program.

I don't have an idea about my GMAT, but I do plan on extensively taking prep courses as 4 years of working has turned my brain to mush. I know I'll have to work hard to get a near perfect GMAT score to offset my low GPA.

Realistically, whats the chances of getting into ANY MBA program with my obvious gimp in GPA....? And what do I need to do/score?

Regards,

Rich

streetpunkstar wrote:Hello,

Everyone keeps calling their GPA low, but my GPA is lower than 2.5 (that's low!) I had medical problems, blah blah, excuses excuses...

After 4 years working as an engineer for 2 years and then promoted to sales engineer, I've been wanting to go into an MBA Program. There's a few here (in Colorado) I'm looking at, but I'm being realistic, I just want ANY MBA program.

I don't have an idea about my GMAT, but I do plan on extensively taking prep courses as 4 years of working has turned my brain to mush. I know I'll have to work hard to get a near perfect GMAT score to offset my low GPA.

Realistically, whats the chances of getting into ANY MBA program with my obvious gimp in GPA....? And what do I need to do/score?

Regards,

Rich

I feel a little more comfortable, tho slightly embarrassed to admit my GPA. It was 2.3 GPA overall, but my major Mech. Eng. was around 2.7.

Lisa Anderson wrote:Dear Rich,

There is an MBA program out there for you--and you might be surprised what kind of options you might have. While your GPA is not outstanding, it is not necessarily a deal breaker depending on what the rest of your application looks like. Are you looking at part-time/executive programs or full-time programs? That can also make a difference as the evaluation is a bit different. For any MBA program though, a strong GMAT score is the best way to mitigate your GPA. You definitely want to try to get a score starting with a 6 or a 7 (higher is better, of course). The fact your engineering GPA was a bit better and that engineering is a tough, quantitative major will also work to your advantage. Likewise, having a successful track record in your career with a solid rationale for why you want to go to business school will further alleviate concerns an admissions committee might have. In sum, use the rest of the application to your advantage so that the GPA is your only potential weakness. Identify and apply to a mix of programs--with a strong application package, you might end up in a program you thought was out of reach.

Best of luck,
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for giving me some hope for getting into grad school. Its going to be an uphill battle...

I figured a GMAT score beginning with a 6, probably 7 would be needed to offset my GPA. I applied to a GMAT prep course this summer (and I plan on taking at least 2 or 3.) I do plan on prepping for the GMAT at least 6 months before I actually take it. Anything below a 650 I won't bother applying anywhere.

Also, since completing my BS in Engineering, I've worked about 48 months. Would this be sufficient? Should I wait longer so it would mitigate my low GPA? I did receive one promotion 2 years ago (maybe that will help in the application.)

Could you also recommend me a part-time MBA program in the Denver area? I'm assuming to steer clear from those online colleges and "colleges" you see on TV during the 9a-5p hours. I was aiming for U of Colorado Denver or U of Colorado Boulder, though Boulder is a higher goal. Univ. of Denver may be too high of a goal for me. Colorado State sounds like you need much more work experience to get in (10+ yrs.)

Thanks Lisa, so glad I found this site! :mrgreen:

Rich

Hi,
I am Amit, from India.
I am B.E.(Information Technology) with low GPA(2.6), but having high GMAT score 740, is there any chance for me to get top 20 B- School.


Profile:-
B.E.(I.T.) 2003-2007
Having 3 years of Experience in Software Industry.(CMM Level-5 company)(India only)
GMAT-740

Hi Lisa,
will you please guide me, which b-school i can apply with this GPA and GMAT score.

can i retake GMAT for 760+ Score for TOP 30.

Thanks & Regards,
Amit

Hello Lisa can you provide me with a little advice as I am so lost right now!

GPA: 2.8 Bachelor of Arts and Science

I took the GMAT in the winter, I got 530 the first time, 570 the second time, and then the third time I ended up with a 450!

I have 2 years of teller experience at a bank.

I applied at Universities for Masters of Economics at Hong Kong, HKU/HKUST/City of University, and got rejected by all of them! Is there any way to improve my chances to do my Mastes in Hong Kong, besides retaking the GMAT?

Thanks in advance Lisa!

Hi Lisa,

I will be applying to several top MBA programs this fall and greatly would appreciate your feedback on my candidacy.

Earned dual degrees in computer science and philosophy at an Ivy ranked in the top five nationally. Though overall GPA is a 3.2, my transcript shows an upward trend that culminated in a 3.4 over the last two years and a 3.6 in my senior year. A black eye: I struggled initially and received a handful of C-level grades in difficult, quant-oriented courses, all but one within the first two years; also had one withdrawal.

As an undergrad, I worked 15-20 hrs/wk to help pay for school expenses. Was heavily involved in community service-oriented extracurriculars in which I demonstrated significant leadership, initiative, and teamwork: was selected by faculty as one of the top ten student leaders on campus.

Post college, worked in software dev at a top investment bank for ~2yrs, then jumped to manage technology projects at a non-profit. Have made a significant impact and demonstrated leadership on the job, obtained increasing responsibilities, received excellent reviews, etc. I served on the young professionals board of a local non-profit for a year but left to begin duathlon training; am competitive in the sport.

I just took the GMAT and scored a 720 (Q49, V39), AWA 5.5.

How much of a liability is my transcript? Will the GMAT and optional essay mitigate any concerns? Re: the GMAT, I know that I am capable of a higher verbal score since I never scored below a 44 in my practice tests: do you think it'd be worthwhile to retake the test? In my case, will adcoms frown upon a lack of significant community involvement after college?

Can you please comment on how competitive I am for Stanford GSB, Haas, Sloan, Columbia, Kellogg, and Tuck? Any specific hurdles at any or all of these schools that make would make admission particularly difficult for me?

Thanks so much in advance!