Remember my post on 5 Biggest Lies in B School application? Sameer posted an excellent query in the comment box. Quoting him :
dear dagny,
I do not know how you will react to this, but then there are people like me who had long list of doing this-n-that, but have to even support ourself during school and college days for our education.
There are good amount of people who must have been helping their parent working part time (giving tuitions) and never really got time or money to pursue their heart or fulfill small dreams that we all have.
There are many reason which we do not know, but they do affect us.
What do people like us say to maximize our candidature, i really have no idea if we can get admission by saying i am NOT SPECIAL..I AM NORMAL..I AM NOT SUPERMAN.”
Although I replied to his query there only, I realized that this is a common query among hundreds of Business School aspirants. Hence, I decided to handle the query at a more elaborate level. Queries such as “How do I enhance my profile to get admission in a top B School?” OR “What kind of profiles do Stanford/Harvard/Wharton graduates have? “ are common among aspirants who dream of getting into top Business Schools.
In order to help you guys present a stellar application at B schools, I would be running a 5 post series.
- What steps to take if you have scored low GMAT? Already handled- You can read the post here- I Don’t Have A Perfect 800 GMAT Score
- How to address low undergrad Grade Point Average (GPA) in your B School application?
- Extracurricular Activities & Community Service
- GMAT Prep- Tips and Tools
The topics are not listed in any particular order but I promise I would handle all of them starting with Low UGPA today.
******************
Okay so you took Ancient Greek history at college just because you wanted to fulfill your Mumma’s dream or you took Advanced Organic Chemistry because your “Pappa” said, “Science is the language of our ancestors!”? Sigh! You knew that you could have got away with that dreaded “D” in your transcript had you decided to fulfil your dreams than your Mumma’s and Pappa’s. And you even partied and bunked too many classes at college because as they say “ College is all about Fun” but now that red mark on the transcript is giving you blues. Oh Dear!
Don’t worry, you are not alone who has dreams of studying at Harvard/ Stanford/ London Business School but do not have a brilliant GPA to make your B School application stand out. The bad news is that you can do nothing about your low GPA. But the good news is that you can focus on improving other aspects of your application. A low GPA can be a handicap in getting you an admission in a B School but would you not make efforts to turn stones into milestones to make your dreams come true?
How? Just know how to play your cards well.
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25 Comments
Hi Dagny
Thanks for this post and i am eagerly waiting for your posts on extra curricular and community service.
Between I would like to know what all courses can one take in Delhi to add an extra transcript. Can you please mention some specific course names, institutes, websites etc. Would be of great help.
I am a B.Tech (ECE) Graduate.
Thanks
Hi Anchit,
Before applying for any course, just keep two things in consideration:
1. Reputation and Accreditation
2. Apply for the MBA foundation courses such as stats, calculus or any course in maths/Finance. You can also look at picking up a language course. The idea is to pick up a MBA foundation course so that you can prove that you have already prepared yourself to take the challenges that MBA would throw at you.
As far as courses in Delhi is concerned JNU, IGNOU, DU, Jamia, IIT , Bhartiya Vidyabhavan etc. offer a lot of part time/ evening courses. You would have to visit these places to get the exact information. You can also consider doing US CFA, you would be able to clear atleast 1st level before applying for your final application. By the way MBA + CFA is a deadly combination.
Thanks for your reply.
Whats your take on NCFM?
And secondly how can i calculate my GPA?
Any calculator or method available?
I have aggregate 81% score (B.Tech(ECE), BVCOE, New Delhi, GGSIPU).
Thanks
Hi Anchit,
NCFM is a recognized certificate and it will definitely add to your profile. Try to score high in the tests, attempt the sample papers twice or thrice during the prepration. But always remember that you would have to justify your career moves in your MBA essays.
GPA scale system is mainly followed in US while in India, we follow the percentage system. Schools espcially advice not to convert your percentages into GPA. You submit your score in the perecentage only and schools use their own method to calculate the GPA. Having said that, schools have a bigger challenge in evaluating the candidates on the same level. A student with 60% English Hons from Delhi University cannot be compared to a student scoring 70% in IIT Delhi. Hence, it is best to submit the scores in the percentage only and let schools follow their own evaluation.
To give you a rough idea about how it work, take a look at the following:
Grade–> GPA—>Percentage
A+ —–>4.0—–> 90-100
A —–> 4.0—–> 85-89
A- —–> 3.7 —–> 80-84
B+ —–> 3.3 —–> 77-79
B —–>3.0 —–>73-76
B- —–>2.7—–> 70-72
C+ —–> 2.3—–> 67-69
C —–> 2.0—–> 63-66
C- —–> 1.7 —–> 60-62
D+ —–>1.3—–> 57-59
Hi I have enrolled for the ICSI Foundation Course (Institute of Company Secretaries of India) through elearning website.
The course deals with:
1) English and Business Communication (EBC)
2) Financial Accounting (FA)
3) Elements of Business Law and Management (EBLM)
4) Statistics and Economics (S&E)
I went through the detailed course content also and it does seem useful to me. But I am yet to complete the final registration process and make the final payment and exams will be in december. According to you what is the recognition, value of this course and how good it will be to go forward with this course.
Thanks
Hi Dagny,
For 9.0 scale, we can roughly use the following table
8.0, 9.0=4.0
7.0 = 3.7
6.0=3.3
5.0=3.0
4.0=2.7
3.0=2.3
2.0=2.0
1.0=1.7
For 12-point we can use this table:
12-Point=4-Point
12= 4.0
11= 3.9
10= 3.7
9= 3.3
8= 3.0
7= 2.7
6= 2.3
5= 2.0
4= 1.7
3= 1.3
2= 1.0
1= 0.7
0= 0
I am working in a BPO(GENPACT) firm for the last one year.will that experience be counted in top business schools? i have joined a BPO firm to improve my inter-personal skills and to understand the culture of international people?please help me with my preparation. I only get one or two days off from my work..
Hi Avinash,
Any kind of experience counts until and unless you show growth in whatever you are doing. Working as a sales executive for years would not be called as a quality experience. But if you handle some important projects, get promotions, shine among your clients, handle team conflicts effectively etc. This would show that you have gained experience and have had immense learning from your work. So all I would say is that you work hard at your workplace so that you can shine among your colleagues. This way you would have a experience that is worthwhile to share with the admissions committee.
When do you plan to take GMAT?
Hi Dagny,
I am really confused when it comes GPA conversions. I am an NIT passout 2k6 and scored a 6.45/10. Now according to the scaling you gave, it turns out to be just 2.2 or something. Should I go for an alternate transcript? Working in an IT company from almost 3 years and one of the aspirant from this Magh mela type MBA crowd. The one thing I am sure is MBA and me are made for each other. So, give me some hope and regarding GMAT I can say 710-720 is in my reach. Advice needed.
Hi Mohan,
I suggest that you don’t go by the GPA conversion. Schools follow their own methods to convert the GPAs. Also, there is some grading according to the undregrad college that you have attended. Another thing is how good is 65% in your university or college. As in where do you stand in your class or university. So this is a complicated method and I don’t suggest that you go by any conversions. If your rank in your class/ college is low then you must definitely build up an alternate transcript.
You might be from a larger applicant pool but each individual has different learnings and experiences to share. These make one candidate different from another. You achievements don’t come only from your studies or work, they can also come from extra curriculars, travel, or community experience.
Try for 720-730 score. The only differentiator would be your essays and interviews. How you tell your story would make all the difference.
1.is institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) courses are good to defend low GPA
2. Can you tell me about the certificate courses in India.
Hi dangy you still didn’t answer my question i have sent you many e-mail.
Please Answer my question ……….and please reply soon.
I am keep on asking until you say that i am not going to answer.
Hi Vishal,
Yes they are. The main point of picking up any course is that you combat for you low undergrad scores and prove that you would be able to handle the rigorous MBA curriculum. you can pick up any certificate course (especially quant /stats/ calculus/ accounts etc) in your local college but make sure that you achieve stellar grades/ percentage in your subjects.
As far as referring courses to you, I suggest that you pick up some prospectuses from the colleges in your city and find out the details from them.
Hi Hitesh,
I am sorry but I don’t think I am going to you reply to your query. All I can say is that you have crossed your basic lines of mannerisms and I can’t handle it. Asking me same question unlimited times a day and hording my mailbox with repeated mails does not help your case.
I suggest that you get your query cleared from some other admissions consultant.
Thank you.
Dangy
You suggested me the course .
But During my degree i am topper of mathematics in the university and got A in all semester in mathematics.
Still can i take course related to mathematics.
Or you Suggest me Something else.
Last Question Dangy
I am in final year of my graduation.
My CGPI Is 7.4 on 10 point scale.
Is this CGPI is good enough to got admission to top 5 MBA institute suggested by you on this link
http://www.totalgadha.com/gmat/2009/05/admission-secrets-of-top-5-business-schools/
Okay let me explain this in detail. To combat low GPA , you have various options such as scoring high in GMAT, generating an extra transcript etc. Since English is a global language, people are more or less comfortable with it. But during your MBA you also have to deal with quant based subjects. Now someone coming from an arts background or pure sciences background would have to prove in someway that he would be able to cope with quant based subjects as well. For such students it is advisable that they score high in GMAT, especially in quant so that they have a concrete proof to show their potential.
Let’s say if someone is coming from say, a Hindi medium background, he would have to show that he would be comfortable with English as a language. Such a student can either pick up a course in English and score high there or score very high in verbal section in GMAT. Another way where his English skills can be tested are through his essays.
An additional qualification is definitely beneficial but only if you have something to show through it- exceptional grades, learnings, experiences etc.
In your case, you don’t need to justify your mathematics skills, but if you want to pursue an added qualification then there is no harm in it. It will strengthen your case.
For your answer to the next question, please read my reply to Mohan in the comments above.
Hi Dangy
Is NCFM is Good course…..
With regards
Vishal Gupta
Dagny has already answred the query regrading NCFM in above comments.
It is nice to know it can be done. Now, I just have to do it.
i am studying i n a Swiss hotel school . mY AVERAGE TILL NOW HAS BEEN AROUND 3.3 .As i am into such a field that there is no maths required .will the b schools normally consider since , I had left Math 6 years back. For cornell they require 650 score if i m not able to make that score.Can something be done in order to take addmission.
Hi Ankit,
You would require some kind of mathematical qualifications to prove to the admissions committe that you would be able to handle the MBA curriculam. So either you score high in Quant in your GMAT or pick up a quant based course such as stats or calculus and score high there. If you are not able to fetch a high score in GMAT, then you must concenterate on other aspects of your application. read this post: http://www.totalgadha.com/gmat/2009/01/i-dont-have-a-perfect-800-gmat-score/
Dear Dagny
I understand that i require to show that i had done maths.That won’t be much of a problem but I wanted to know that since I want to pursue the MMH PROGRAMME IN Cornell.Also that I have a fairly strong background of working in various properties as intern in Switzerland and India at all the top most properties in both the countries.Also i am studying in Les roches which is a Swiss hotel school considered to be i n the top 3 hotel schools of the the world where I intend to finish my bachelors. nOW THE THING IS That in my last 3 years of Diploma i have an average total of 3.3 gpa in my score. I am appearing for Gmat this november .Now for me there is an issue that I had studies math 6 years back in 10 th std so. My industry does not require maths at all. So if i am not able to do well on the quant in the GMAT ,does the college consider this. Also the college wants a score of around 650 if i get a little lower than that just because of the math can something be done.
Regards
Ankit BHATIA
Hi Dangy after conversion of CGPI i have 73 percentage would it be a LOW score..???
This is too early to talk of final yr placements cause im in 2nd yr but general cause of concern is my gpa is 7.4 roundbout i dont think its gonna b better than 8 aftr 4 yrs. i have done loads of projects trying to make my cv as beutiful as poss.
as such my coll is not very recognised compared to the iits. so yeah is there a chance i may get into these ivy league of colls
secondly wat happens if i bluff in my essay that i got 7.5 and the highest is 8 although it may not be true so the will of truth is in my hands rite??
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