Six Ways to Mitigate Low Stats in Your MBA Application
Your GMAT score and undergraduate GPA are critical components of your MBA application. These numbers serve as indicators of your academic capability and potential for success in graduate business studies. The launch of the new version of the GMAT (Focus Edition), with its revamped scoring system, has given admissions committees a fresh lens through which to evaluate candidates. The exam change might also affect traditional rankings, like those from U.S. News & World Report, as the surveys grapple with comparing 10th Edition GMAT scores with Focus Edition scores, particularly over the next four years, while the original exam’s results remain valid.
But don’t worry if your GMAT score or GPA isn’t where you’d like it to be. There are concrete steps you can take to address these weak points. Keep in mind that these stats represent just one component of the holistic admissions process. Schools evaluate your academic performance along with your professional experience, leadership potential, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, community service, and career goals. With the right approach, even if your academic numbers fall short, you can still present a compelling case for admission.
Here are seven strategies to help you strengthen your application if your stats are less than stellar:
1. Get an expert’s assessment of your candidacy.
Before you dive into applications, seek an honest evaluation of your candidacy from an admissions officer or admissions consultant. This will help you determine which schools might be a reach for you, which ones are solid matches, and which are your “safety” options. An admissions expert can also highlight areas for improvement that you might not have considered.
2. Broaden your options.
Schools with larger MBA classes are often able to admit candidates with a wider range of profiles. Look beyond the obvious, and broaden your target list to include schools that might not be in the top 20 but still offer excellent programs. Take a look at the Forbes list of the wealthiest individuals in the country; aside from notable dropouts such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, you’ll see many successful entrepreneurs and executives, including Stephen Squeri (CEO of American Express) and Daniel Gilbert (co-founder of Rocket Mortgage), who attended schools many applicants might overlook (Manhattan College’s O’Malley School of Business and Babson College’s Olin Graduate School of Business, respectively). Expanding your options could reveal unexpected opportunities that align perfectly with your aspirations.
3. Take steps to mitigate your weaknesses.
If your grades weren’t stellar during your undergraduate years, don’t just hope that the admissions committee will overlook them. Take proactive steps to demonstrate your academic ability. Enroll in relevant courses at a local university or via an online platform, and work hard to earn strong grades in them. If your GMAT or GRE scores aren’t where you need them to be, consider investing in tutoring. Many applicants have dramatically improved their scores with just a few hours of focused study with the right help.
4. Request a waiver.
Many business schools are still offering GMAT/GRE waivers or accepting alternative assessments, such as the LSAT, MCAT, and Executive Assessment. If you believe that your work experience, achievements, or other credentials are strong enough to demonstrate your readiness for business school, don’t hesitate to request a waiver. Present a compelling case to show that you can succeed in the program without submitting a standardized test score, and you might be able to remove that obstacle from your application.
5. Demonstrate authentic interest.
Business schools want to feel that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about their program. One way to demonstrate this for the admissions committee is by engaging with students, alumni, and faculty members who can then advocate for you and give your application an extra boost. Attend information sessions, visit campus (if possible), and attend networking events. Building these relationships can help you stand out and demonstrate to the school that you’re truly invested in attending its MBA program.
6. Think beyond your resume.
Admissions committees don’t get excited about one-dimensional applicants. They want to see depth, so make sure your application showcases your passions, leadership potential, and unique perspectives. Think of your application as an invitation to a five-course meal, not a rushed coffee chat. Inspire the admissions committees to want to get to know you beyond the numbers.
7. Make a compelling case for acceptance.
While your stats are important, your stories are what will truly get you in the door. Your application should clearly convey why you’re a great fit for your target schools by highlighting your leadership, impact, innovation, and contributions in a way that aligns with the program’s culture, strengths, and values. You want the admissions officers to be left thinking, “We need this person in our program.”
When I was an admissions director, I was more likely to invite applicants who had engaging, well-crafted applications to interview, even if their numbers weren’t as high as I wanted them to be. A well-spoken, dynamic applicant who demonstrated thoughtfulness and depth during their interview could easily outperform someone with higher stats but a more lackluster application. Many of these individuals went on to become highly successful business leaders – and some even became our most prestigious alumni.
Final Takeaway
As important as your GMAT/GRE score and GPA are in the MBA admissions process, they’re just two pieces of the puzzle. Focus on being strategic, proactive, and authentic in every aspect of your application. By demonstrating your true potential beyond your numbers, you can maximize your chances of securing a spot in the right MBA program for you.
By Natalie Grinblatt, a former admissions dean/director at three top business schools. Natalie has reviewed more than 70,000 applications, interviewed more than 2,500 candidates, and trained nearly 700 admissions directors and alumni volunteers to select outstanding candidates for admission. Her clients gain admission to top programs, including those at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Cornell, Columbia, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, and NYU. Natalie holds an MBA from Michigan Ross. Want Natalie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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