how difficult is it to get into a good MBA program with a bad GPA?

[hans007]

I have this problem. I'm currently a software engineer, but eventually want to go to business school. Unfortunately, I did a lot of "growing up" as an undergrad and my GPA is rather lackluster (2.6). A lot of the graduate schools out there have minimum GPAs of 3.0.

Now, I think had I planned for this as an undergrad (yeah its been a few years, and well I was an idiot) I could have easily gotten a much better GPA but well thats done and unchangeable. I was wondering if there are every exceptions to this, such as if I got a very good GMAT score (I'm really really good with standardized testing) or something like that. I don't really plan to go back to school for 1-2 years and was wondering if anyone else had been in this situation and what they did? I was hoping with some very good work experience and a good GMAT they wouldn't mind my sad GPA.

Anyone know if they would take into account that I majored in something that is considered a difficult major at a fairly good school?

 

[ironcrotch]

really good GMAT score.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: ironcrotch
really good GMAT score.

whats a really good gmat score? like 780?

 

[crisscross]

Anything over 700 is excellent.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: crisscross
Anything over 700 is excellent.

a cousin of mine got a 780, thats i guess my only frame of reference as to high. ok... i guess i better get to studying.

 

[crisscross]

You should take your cousin's help then.. 780 is very very very good, but remember this, B-Schools look for leadership skills and out of the box thinking, not the greatest GMAT scores, they use the GMAT to ensure that you can withstand the academic regimen without flunking.

 

[magomago]

Don't MBA programs want good experience as well? If you can get a lot of good experience with high GMAT scores, I think you'll be fine


though i must ask...why in the world did you go through 4 years of engineering to just do an MBA?!?! There are a million of others things that would have worked just as well and not require the course load of Engineering (Though I wonder how "engineering" software engineering is...)

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: magomago
Don't MBA programs want good experience as well? If you can get a lot of good experience with high GMAT scores, I think you'll be fine


though i must ask...why in the world did you go through 4 years of engineering to just do an MBA?!?! There are a million of others things that would have worked just as well and not require the course load of Engineering (Though I wonder how "engineering" software engineering is...)

Getting an MBA after working as an engineer is a common thing to do.

I just got my Masters, plan on working for a bit, and go to law school. I don't think there's anything wrong with further education.

 

[vegetation]

You'll need to look into a lower tier, non AACSB school to get in with a 2.6 gpa. That's pretty low and likely will not get your application forwarded to the business schools of larger universities, as most will not bother looking at anything less than borderline 3.0. If you're serious about getting into a higher tier school then you'll need to demonstrate greater willingness such as taking some undergrad intro classes in econ or something. I would basically try to get yourself up a few decimals in your gpa.

Edit: Make sure you're calculating your GPA correctly. Most schools only care about the last 2 years of your undergrad work. They don't really give a damn you got a D for intro calculus in your first year, for example.

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: vegetation
Edit: Make sure you're calculating your GPA correctly. Most schools only care about the last 2 years of your undergrad work. They don't really give a damn you got a D for intro calculus in your first year, for example.

What?

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: crisscross
Anything over 700 is excellent.

not if you want to get into a top program. 700 is about where the floor is.

if you can get a 760+ they'll ignore your low GPA.

the letters of recommendation are pretty important, the more important the signature the lower the requirements.

post degree work experience, the better the title the less experience you need. if you have won any sort of award or were published in a journal it will help greatly.

actually GPA is the least important factor.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: magomago
Don't MBA programs want good experience as well? If you can get a lot of good experience with high GMAT scores, I think you'll be fine


though i must ask...why in the world did you go through 4 years of engineering to just do an MBA?!?! There are a million of others things that would have worked just as well and not require the course load of Engineering (Though I wonder how "engineering" software engineering is...)

well the school i took computer science in , forced all computer science majors to go through the entire engineering requirements. I even have to take some EE and circuit design classes even though I work in software.

Regardlress though, the company I work for is like in the top 5 largest software companies, but it just isnt very I don tknow interesting. Plus it seems like engineers have a pretty low ceiling regarding career growth. I guess thats why I am thinking about going back.

I guess I have to define "good" MBA program. I was thinking like UC schools in california, not necessarily Haas or Andersen, but UCI or something. I'm pretty realistic in my odds of getting into say UCLA or UCB, but I would like to stay out of the CSU system if I could.

 

[DaShen]

GMAT and good business experience for the win.

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: magomago
Don't MBA programs want good experience as well? If you can get a lot of good experience with high GMAT scores, I think you'll be fine


though i must ask...why in the world did you go through 4 years of engineering to just do an MBA?!?! There are a million of others things that would have worked just as well and not require the course load of Engineering (Though I wonder how "engineering" software engineering is...)

well the school i took computer science in , forced all computer science majors to go through the entire engineering requirements. I even have to take some EE and circuit design classes even though I work in software.

Regardlress though, the company I work for is like in the top 5 largest software companies, but it just isnt very I don tknow interesting. Plus it seems like engineers have a pretty low ceiling regarding career growth. I guess thats why I am thinking about going back.

I guess I have to define "good" MBA program. I was thinking like UC schools in california, not necessarily Haas or Andersen, but UCI or something. I'm pretty realistic in my odds of getting into say UCLA or UCB, but I would like to stay out of the CSU system if I could.

in that case go look at MBA rankings from US News, Business Week, FT, WSJ, or any other place that produces them. Then look at the columns where the show the average work experience and GMAT scores. You have to have better numbers.