Major GPA vs Cumulative/ improvement considerations?

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

Hello everyone, i’m new to this forum. My ultimate goal is to work in investment banking however I find myself in a pretty rough spot in regard to this industry.

I’m currently an undergrad senior at a top-25 public university (read: non-target) in the US studying managerial economics. Here’s the thing though - My family is largely STEM/software engineering so the business world is not something I was every really exposed to or made aware of growing up. Almost by default, I decided to pursue chemical engineering as a freshman, which I frankly hated deeply, and as a result lacked focus and drive in my school work.

Fast forward two years - After discovering a strong interest for finance/investment banking, I decided to finally switch majors and began pursuing business econ at the start of my junior year.

Due to this late “start,” I have a permanent blemish on my transcript. My major GPA is around 3.77 however my cumulative GPA is a 3.0 (was significantly worse before changed majors"

I’ve had two internships - one in a niche private equity fund and one as a financial advisory intern for a large F500 firm. I have great recommendations from the former, with my supervisor and immediate superior saying I was the best intern they had.

To cut to the chase, do top MBA programs give consideration to improvement over time and major switches? When accounting for the time I spent in Chemical Engineering, my true GPA is much closer to a 3.9 (when accounting for Chem-eng classes that fulfilled current major requirements).

If I get work experience and dedicate a great amount of time and effort to making an impact at my future job, would top MBA admissions take note of my “redemption” so to speak?

Thanks.

2

Much depends upon your work experience. Promotions, accomplishments, specific employer, and reason for wanting or needing an MBA.

Try to raise your cumulative GPA to a 3.2 or above if possible.

MBA admissions personal do read essays & personal statement. You should be fine unless fixated on Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton. UChicago & Berkeley will be tough as well.

Nevertheless, your STEM abilities may make you attractive to MBA programs & to potential employers. The current trend among MBA programs is to become STEM designated.

3

Nobody can predict how a competitive program will react to any single applicant’s story. Also understand that top MBA programs do not look to take students out of undergrad – they expect applicants to have a chunk (minimum 2 years, most have more) of meaningful work experience.

All you can do now is to get yourself on the best long term trajectory. IMO that will include:

–Excelling in all of your classes going forward
– Getting a job after graduation that will give you a minimum of 2-5 years of meaningful work expereince with increasing responsibility.
–When the time comes you need to study and do great on your GMATs
–While working set yourself up to get outstanding recommendations
–Write excellent essays for each application.