GMAT Score vs. Undergrad GPA

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medea66: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 186; Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:05 pm; Thanked: 2 times

by medea66 » Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:41 pm

Hi guys,

I heard that there is an inverse relationship between one's GMAT score and one's GPA. In other words, if you have a great GPA, then you can do with a lower GMAT score. I'm definitely not suggesting that you shoot for a low score, but just describing the relationship. So, if someone has a 3.8 as an undergrad and has a 3.8 as a grad student, then what kind of GMAT score would be required to get into a top-tier school?

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Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:41 pm

Kelly McDonald: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:34 pm; Location: Ottawa, Canada; Thanked: 3 times

by Kelly McDonald » Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:52 pm

I don't think there is a simple black and white answer. If your 3.8 GPA was 20 years in the past and your 550 GMAT was last month, obviously your GMAT score will be weighted more. Remember your GMAT and GPA are only 2 elements out of your whole application. Higher scores are always better, but work experience, references, essays and cover letters can be just as critical in getting into the school you want. Good GPA's and GMAT's wont trump irrelevant work experience, incoherent essays and poor references.

Hope this helps

Kelly

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xeqtr: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 59; Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:44 am; Location: istanbul; Thanked: 2 times

Re: GMAT Score vs. Undergrad GPA

by xeqtr » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:33 am

Depends on the schools I think, since some schools weigh GMAT scores more importantly, perhaps somes ask for a above a certain GPA, somes care about great leadership in WEs etc etc. But admissions would questions with such a good GPA why you scored a low GMAT. That's gonna be your basic problem imo.

medea66 wrote:Hi guys,

I heard that there is an inverse relationship between one's GMAT score and one's GPA. In other words, if you have a great GPA, then you can do with a lower GMAT score. I'm definitely not suggesting that you shoot for a low score, but just describing the relationship. So, if someone has a 3.8 as an undergrad and has a 3.8 as a grad student, then what kind of GMAT score would be required to get into a top-tier school?

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vinviper1: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 222; Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:52 pm; Thanked: 2 times

by vinviper1 » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:40 am

I would also thnk the type of undergrad matters much

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jelt: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 102; Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:05 am; Thanked: 13 times

by jelt » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:07 pm

Hi,

I think a strong GMAT is important when you come from a UG where adcoms don't quite know what to make of the GPA you've gotten. That may include schools in the top 100, or even top 50, as opposed to top 10.

With a strong UG GPA, however, a strong GMAT is probably expected. Without that, they may question your commitment, your preparation, or worse, your intellect.

Finally a strong Masters GPA is not actually very helpful. I know a friend who got dinged from Wharton/Lauder although he had a 3.7 Masters GPA from Carnegie Mellon. The adcom staff specifically said his GPA was a red flag. And she meant his UG, not his Masters GPA. Obviously his masters GPA is very good, but somehow that doesn't carry much weight with them.

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VP_MBA_Guru: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 690; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 12:51 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 39 times; GMAT Score:750+

by VP_MBA_Guru » Mon May 05, 2008 10:56 am

Hi everyone,

I would agree with all said on the post.

First of all, GMAT and undergrad GPA are only a portion of the entire application. You could have stellar scores on your GMAT and GPA, but they might not have an impact if your essays, LORs or interviews is off. Esp these days, when there is so much competition to get into a top MBA program, you need to be perfect in every aspect of your application!

That said, I do agree that AdComs are mindful of the relationship between GMAT and GPA. For example, if you have a high GPA from a top undergraduate program, they might be more lenient to a relatively-lower GMAT score.

Regards,

NP

Nikhil P. | Admissions Consultant | Veritas Prep

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