Low undergrad GPA and a Top 20 MBA program??!?!?!?!?!?!

You are correct, but you want to be in the top of that range. A 615 would be near the bottom for most schools in the top 20, if not outside the range for top 7. When you lack strong work experience and have a poor performance in undergrad, the gmat is where you want to shine. Again, the range does change dramatically when comparing the full time program to the evening program at most top 20 schools. Just my 2 cents.
 
MBURFIEN,
Are evening programs easier to get into???? I was not aware they existed. With evening programs, can you have the same experience as reg full-time? Are evening programs usually longer…. more info por favor :)
 
From what I have seen, the evening class profile has lower gmat scores and lower undergrad gpas than the full time program. The average age is usually higher with more work experience though. All of this can be found on any bschool’s website, just search for the class profile.
I know that UoC’s evening program can be done in 30 months with 36 being normal compared to 21 for full time students. The big thing you lose out on with the evening program is the summer internship which most people use to help enter a new field.
 
I am hoping to apply to b-school within the next two years. Here’s what I’ve learned from reading a few books. While I believe a low GPA alone won’t completely deny you from an entrance into a top 20 MBA program, you need to make up in other areas like great experience, recommendation, or high GMAT score, etc. I also believe that the longer you’ve been out of undergrad (say 5-10 years instead of 2-3) the more heavily they weigh someone’s job experience as opposed to GPA.
Regarding the GMAT score, I wouldn’t say 615 is a bad score. However, I strongly believe that you need to shoot for something higher, around 700, to give yourself a real shot at a top 20 program.
One question that I couldn’t get a straight answer is regarding the CFA and MBA. Does anyone know if passing all three levels of your CFA exams will help you in any way of getting into an MBA program? I’ve heard from some that it may help you, but from others that it won’t help at all. Anyone know for sure?
 
That’s true, the evening program’s numbers don’t count towards the class rankings so the admission officers are under much less pressure to keep up their stats. I just graduated from Wisconsin’s EvMBA program and I know somebody who just graduated from the U of Washington. I thought it was a great experience, as did she, but if you’re hung up on the MBA is worthless unless it’s from the top X# school vibe then it’s probably not the place for you.
The UW’s is a lock-step cohort program and takes 3 years to complete. The upside is of course that you’re working the whole time and making money and experience, plus most employers pay for at least a portion. The downside is that it’s much more expensive and every school’s focus on the day program as it drives the rankings. There’s also not much in the way of recruitment efforts since everybody already has a job and the school doesn’t want to p*ss of the companies that are footing the bill for their employees.
In my experience it’s like most anything else, it’s what you make of it.
 
Guys,!!!!!
Do you think international experience in finance is desirable for a top 20 MBA???
Can inter-exp offset a GMAT of 615?? I dont know….
Wait….. HOW HARD IS IT TO OBTAIN A 615 on the GMAT????? Can it be done with lots of studying??????
 
615 really shouldnt be that hard if you study, set higher goals and aim for 700.
Use the search function because some really smart people a few weeks ago were discussing all the gmat books books/tools they were using.
I am not smart at all but I plan on studying a while for the gmat and ill be disappointed with anything under 700
 
Practically speaking, you CANNOT get IN with 615, it has to be above 700. You will realize that as time passes by. Instead of wasting your time here, asking about 5 years down the road, why don’t you concentrate on CFA Level 1 first.
 
If you were going to get a PhD in any business discipline, you would go straight to a PhD program and skip the MBA program entirely.
A 615 is a bad score unless you have a ton of experience. I would say 650 is the floor for a top 20 business school. The GMAT isn’t hard at all, especially compared to CFA I.
 
And what about having some or all CFA levels completed at the time of the application? It won’t hurt I’m sure but will it help?
 
whats considered the cut off for “bad” gpa…I had a 3.2 from a crappy school
 
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