Profile Evaluation - Low GPA vs. Good GMAT

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Profile Evaluation - Low GPA vs. Good GMAT

by felipz24 » Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:28 am
I'm planning to apply to business schools within the next year or so, but wanted to get a sense for how my GPA is going to hurt my chances and what I can do to counter that impact. I'd only really go to business school if I can go to one of: Berkeley, H/S/W, Northwestern, Dartmouth, MIT.

GPA (top LAC) - 3.5 overall, history major. My math/sciences GPA is lower, closer to 3.1
GMAT - 760
Work experience summary - 1.5 years investment banking top firm (nyc), 4 years PE at well-respected/unique entrepreneurial firm with a lot of internal leadership opportunities (not nyc).
Outside of work - Founder of non-profit charitable organization providing sponsorships (funds/gear) to underprivileged extreme sports athletes around the world (surfers, bikers, skaters, etc.). I'm a sponsored mountain biker/skier.
Goal of MBA - Been offered partner track at firm, but want to use MBA to raise a search fund to buy/run a company after graduating. Use that to create track record to found an investment firm.
Recommendations - will be extremely strong from partners at my firm
Native american background - not an official tribal member, but it's part of my family's cultural heritage and my identity.

What should I do to counter my low GPA? Would it be worthwhile to take a business-related course or two at a local college and ace it?

Thanks for the input.
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by MBAApply » Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:48 pm
Your GPA isn't low. It's average (and therefore good enough; it's not law or med school where the higher it is, the more competitive you are; it's about being "good enough"). And your GMAT is exceptional on top of that. I wouldn't worry about taking another course as it's not really going to make much difference.

You're in range for the schools you listed, so it's a matter of just buckling down and focusing on the written applications and interviews.

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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:22 am
Your GMAT has put to rest any doubts about your intellectual firepower and quant skills. I would not worry about your GPA, and I would say taking a business quant class and getting an A certainly won't hurt, and could be another positive data point.

The key for your competitive IBanking segment is a compelling career story that you can sell in your apps and interviews. Many from this segment have strong gpa and gmat, so they key is distinguishing yourself.

Here is a little article I wrote on connecting emotionally on your MBA applications. This might help you begin to understand one of the ways to stand out.

https://prepmba.com/using-emotion-vs-onl ... lications/
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178