FT Recruitment: Can I report my GPA without these grades and include a note in my application?

Application GPA
New answer on Dec 10, 2020
3 Answers
1.9 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Sep 11, 2018

I had a medical emergency that required multiple emergency hospitalizations including an emergency surgery during my first and second quarter of college which resulted in outlying grades. Can I report my GPA without these grades and include a note in my application?

I can have my college counselor or surgeon be written down as a point of contact with no problem. I am only worried that with requesting my transcript, I will be disqualified for having a discrepenacy between my reported GPA and that number.

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Guennael
Expert
replied on Sep 11, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

Big caveat here: I honestly don't know.

Having said that, I'll make an educated guess: Consultancies want the best people, but don't have/take a lot of time to review resumes and letters thoroughly. If you show a 2.4 GPA, this might be the end of your application. I'd probably remove the grades that you obviously failed / did worse in BECAUSE of the emergencies.Second big caveat though: make it very clear you are doing this, probably exen explain what your GPA would be if including these grades. I would also preempt and have an explanation from counselor, surgeon, ... ready without the consultancy requesting.

PS: I read long ago an amazing essay from a Harvard MBA applicant explaning why he was out of work for a year while taking care of his ailing gd-mother. Rather than hurting him, this essay may have been the most amazing part of his particularly strong application, and he got in the program. Hopefully you can turn your physical bad luck into a strength on the application.

Fellow Current/former consultants, I am curious to hear your recommendations. Anyone strongly disagree w/ my take here?

G.

Was this answer helpful?
Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 10, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there!

Honestly, it is a very difficult question. Noone can really guarantee you here how it would be better.

Gould luck!

GB

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Mar 01, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I wouldn´t, particularly if they are not particularly great.

Hence, don´t worry if you don´t include them in the CV.

Cheers

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?
Guennael gave the best answer

Guennael

Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews
284
Meetings
1,459
Q&A Upvotes
64
Awards
5.0
171 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely