Ask Stacy Blackman

One question that I receive from a lot of candidates is: what GPA/GMAT is needed to get into a top 5 school?

Most applicants know that the average GMAT at schools such as Stanford and Wharton is 700. The average GPA is about a 3.5. These numbers provide a basic benchmark. If you can hit or exceed these figures, you know that "you are in the ballpark".

The GPA is very important because it tracks your performance for approximately four very important years and demonstrates your ability to perform in an academic environment. Unfortunately, by the time you apply to business school, it is too late to do much about a low GPA. The GMAT is important because everyone is competing on a level playing field. I view the GMAT as a great opportunity, because it is something that is within your control now, and you have an opportunity to retake it several times if necessary, without penalty. While it may not be as important as your GPA, it is something that can help to balance out a low GPA. If you did not do well in business and quant classes, it is that much more important to excel on the quant portion of the GMAT.

Because this is a holistc process, every piece of the puzzle matters. If one piece is weaker, you want to work on maximizing other areas. This is why there is no specific cut off for GPA or GMAT. We work with clients with sub 3.0 GPA's and sub 600 GMAT's every year who are successful. If you do have very low numbers you will need to address this somehwere in your application. You do not want to be whiney and make excuses, but just honestly confront the issue head on.

For those that want a specific GMAT guideline, here are my rules of thumb:
1) try to get the highest score you are capable of - the higher the better!
2) exceeding 700 is a reasonable goal that will put you in a pile where GMAT is not a concern
3) if you do not hit 700, 680 is generally considered OK
4) below 650 is a "low" GMAT score for a top school - but NOT a deal killer!

I am finding more and more that different schools have different methods of converting GPA. Some have requested that applicants hire an outside service. Others have instructions posted on their website. You should call your target schools and ask what they recommend. I have heard many different answers and you want to follow the instructions for your schools.

They will consider both of your GPA's, but the "GPA" number that everyone talks about and that is quoted as an average for MBA criteria, is the undergrad GPA.

GPA is only one component of many. So, yes, if you have other elements that are strong, they may make up for the lower GPA.