Can a high GMAT score compensate for a low undergraduate GPA in MBA applications?

Yes, a high GMAT score (720+) can help offset a low undergraduate GPA, even if the GPA was due to academic challenges. Admissions teams use the GMAT to measure whether you’re capable of handling the academic rigor of an MBA—so a strong score can signal that you're ready, even if past performance wasn’t ideal.

If your low GPA was due to struggling with certain subjects, especially quantitative ones, it's important to prove improvement. This can be done through certifications like CFA Level 1, HBS Online CORe, or quant-heavy edX/Coursera courses in accounting, finance, or data analysis. You should also use the optional essay to take ownership of your performance, explain what you’ve done since to improve, and show how your current abilities are much stronger.

Schools like Columbia, Yale SOM, and IESE have admitted applicants with GPAs below 3.0—especially when paired with high GMATs, strong work experience, and clear evidence of growth and resilience.