Low UG GPA question (You've probably heard this before)

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>Graduated with a degree in Chem Eng from Penn State. I have a good job which is more technical sales & management than it is pure engineering at a large major international corporation.....one year out of UG</p>

<p>But of course, my GPA isn't the greatest at 2.7. There's no real reason for it being low (other than the major grade deflation that takes place in Eng programs)....no upward trend, etc.</p>

<p>Now assuming a market is still out there for newly minted MBA grads 5 years from now (a big IF with the likely depression we're heading into), assuming my work experience is still solid for another few years, and assuming my GMATS are solid (I have always done well on those sort of tests) how badly will that 2.7 hurt me?</p>

<p>I don't mind not being able to get into top schools. But it's important i make a return on my investment, and that the degree will result in more career oppurtunities and a higher paycheck.</p>

<p>I know some people from local schools with MBAs who make less than I do with my B.S. degree in Eng a year after college. If that's the likely scenario because of my GPA, forget business school.</p>

2

<p>It will hurt you, but you may be able to overcome it depending on your work experience and GMAT. For example Berkeley doesn’t have a minimum GPA requirement, but says that a above a 3.0 may be needed for serious consideration. My advice would be to take some practice GMAT tests and maybe talk to a counselors about it.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

3

<p>GMAT will help you, do well on it. I’m a ChemE and my gpa wasn’t stellar, but my work history and GMAT made up for that. I would network and see if you can find a mentor who is alum at a school you’d like to attend. In addition, get your PE and consider a technical masters within the next 5 years, this will help you show a solid career path and reason to need an MBA.</p>