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Factoring the difficulty of the undergrad institution in GPA

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Factoring the difficulty of the undergrad institution in GPA

by smalley35 » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:12 am
I graduated from Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences with a 3.2 GPA. Generally speaking, Cornell has a reputation as difficult-grading university (particularly relative to other Ivies).

I would assume that the admissions process has a way of normalizing GPAs when considering MBA applicants. I am targeting programs where a 3.2 is below average (at times substantially below average), though I am hopeful that a 3.2 at Cornell is worth as much as a 3.4+ elsewhere. Is this way off base?

Thanks in advance.

- Bill
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by Graham » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:19 am
Dear Bill,

Thanks for your post!

The short answer to your question is that most of the leading MBA programs do take 'strength of program' into account when looking at ugrad GPA. In addition, I am not overly concerned about your 3.20 from Cornell, assuming you took a challenging courseload and have an otherwise solid candidacy for b-school, etc.

Having said that, the key thing that you need to keep in mind is that the MBA programs do have a way of measuring their 'strength of program' theories: the GMAT exam. In other words, if you hit a homerun on the GMAT and score 750, I suspect they will be more apt to accept the fact that one has to be fairly bright to earn a 3.20 GPA at Cornell. Whereas if you score a 680 on the GMAT, they may begin to think that you really are a '3.20' sort of guy.

Best of luck,

Graham
Graham Richmond
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215 568 2590

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by smalley35 » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:26 am
Thanks, Graham. Your insight is much appreciated.

- Bill
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