Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 448,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

Low GPA and MBB

GPA MBB
New answer on May 03, 2021
6 Answers
1.3 k Views
Anonymous A asked on May 01, 2021

1. How important is GPA at MBB if I have several years of experience and MBB referrals?

2. Will they ask for this info when I apply and what can I do to compensate it?

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 02, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

1. How important is GPA at MBB if I have several years of experience and MBB referrals?

GPA is always relatively important, however the more senior you are, the less weight it will have.

Moreover, even with a low GPA right after undergrad you can land an MBB invitation with a strong referral (I personally know candidates who managed that)

2. Will they ask for this info when I apply and what can I do to compensate it?

It depends if you have to fill the online application or not. If you don’t, chances are they will ask just for the CV and possibly the Cover. In that case, if you don’t add the GPA to your CV they won’t know the actual one. Of course they may still ask for it during interviews.

As for point 1, the best way to compensate for it is with a referral. You can find more on that at the link below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 03, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

1. In general the GPA always plays a big role among other things (work experience, time abroad, extracurricular activities) and

2. You always have to provide the information during the application, HOWEVER, if you can demonstrate tangible impact and results in your career, which is very valuable for MBB, then it becomes less of an issue.

MBBs at the end of the day are opportunistic. If they see that you have the potential to benefit their clients and their business, grades take a back seat. In order to compensate, highlight all achievements and success stories on your resume and in the cover letter with a focus on stories that are relevant for consulting firms.

Cheers,

Florian

Was this answer helpful?
Henning
Expert
replied on May 02, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate
  1. It is typically quite important, but this depends on the market. E.g. in Germany many firms even ask for high school grades, even for experienced hires with 10 years of work experience.
  2. Yes, tehy will ask for this info when you apply. You can compensate for a lower GPA with two things:
    • A great GMAT (if you're applying from an MBA)
    • Referrals - this is the main avenue for you to explore. Network to the firms and offices that you're applying to, to get a referral. Securring this would provide you with a strong advantage that could balance a less than ideal GPA if needed.
Was this answer helpful?
Denis
Expert
updated an answer on May 01, 2021
Goldman Sachs Investment Banker NYC | Ex-Bain 5 yrs| MBA Chicago Booth | Passed > 13 MBB > 20 IB interviews

1. Very important - but also depends on your kind of experience. Coming from another high-intensity client-facing role such as top law firms or IB? Obv different than having some very operational role in some unknown firm. It would help if you could elaborate on your kind of experience and GPA, undergrad etc.

2. Not much - get the best referrals possible, Partners ideally, invitation will not be a problem then. But obv very hard to obtain partner referrals.

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 02, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

1. It does depend on the position and your amount of other experience (i.e. if you are going in entry level and only have a undergrad degree and an internship, of course your GPA matters than if you're going in as a consultant or project lead and have 2 companies/roles under your belt). In general, a GPA can also be a "table stakes" item where you need to meet a minimum threshold to be considered.

2. As Francesco has mention, networking is always the #1 way to get aorund most issues

good luck!

Was this answer helpful?
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 02, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

1. in the case of 5+ years of working experience + referral it has a limited impact
2. yes, if you have to fill the official application form

Best,
Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
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