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Originally Posted by Desx  I was wondering if a high GMAT score would help my situation too. Any ideas? |
It certainly helps, and in fact it is necessary for top schools. But it's not going to magically erase a low GPA. In fact, a high GMAT with low GPA almost raises more questions than it answers. An admissions officer might look at that combination and wonder if you're a smart person who slacked off academically. That sort of profile really doesn't sit well with b-school admissions types. Even if it's not the truth, what matters is what they -- upon first glancing at your application and your file --
assume is the truth.
So the short, if annoying answer is that they want great grades
and a great GMAT. Absent one of the two, you really need to be a superstar in some sort of professional accomplishment (say, for instance, you hold a patent or have spent 5 years microfinancing an AIDS clinic in Kenya).
If you make it to the end of your run at school and end up with a less than stellar GPA, the best thing to do is spend a few years trying to develop some extraordinary work experience. Taking a few years off to get more experience may seem like a bummer, but if you don't have the GPA to get into a T1 or T2 school right now, you're better off padding your profile than rushing in now. Also, keep in mind that with the economy where it is, these next few years are going to be record-breaking in terms of their competitiveness. Even across-the-board superstar applicants will have a tough time this year and probably next year.
