Overcoming Bad Grades/Low GPA in Your MBA Applications

I met a potential client in a trial consultation the other day. Their big concern was their below-average college grades. It’s not an uncommon issue.

You can’t change the past, so don’t waste time on regrets. Instead, here are some forward-looking strategies to overcome that deficiency.

1)      Score well on the GMAT/GRE. Do that, and a big part of your problem vanishes. You’ve proven your academic capacity to handle the MBA curriculum.

2)      Use the Optional Essay to explain (not excuse!) your GPA. Were you a varsity athlete? Were you working to pay tuition or living expenses or both (common with first-generation college students)? Were you helming a club, leading a volunteer or church group, working on a start-up? Did you have lots of internships to explore career options? The point is to show that you were using your time well and productively.

If you did well in your major classes, point that out to show your prioritized commitment.

A personal issue that impacted your studies (e.g., illness, death in the family) is also a possible topic, but it must be handled the right way.

3)      Take a pre-MBA online class (and do well!) to show your initiative and commitment to academic growth. If you are doing this or plan to, then mention it in the Optional Essay. But if you do include it, you must follow through or risk Adcoms thinking you’re a flake.

4)      Write dynamite essays that showcase other outstanding traits.

As a final note, don’t believe anyone who says your sub-optimal grades will lock you out of top schools. We’ve proven repeatedly that is not the case.

If you’d like to discuss your situation, please arrange a trial consultation.