question for people who have applied/interviewed with an MBA

[cardsurgguy]

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so I'm in an MBA program specific in health systems administration right now after having completed college in May

my question is specifically for anybody who has gone through the application/interview process with an MBA

how, if at all, have people regarded your graduate GPA? My position is that this is more a completion type of thing, that you have the MBA, which is important, not specifically the GPA of the grad program, in other words your grad GPA pretty much doesn't matter

or has anybody received negative attitudes if you stayed the same or went down from your undergrad GPA especially since the perception is that MBA courses are much easier than the ugrad sci courses

I'm not saying I'm going to get a 3.0 which is needed to stay in the program, but let's just put it this way, a 3.9-4.0 is equal to me for this program to a 3.6-3.7 (for reference, the average in the program is a 3.5)

right now I'm sacrificing a little study time to work more in the hopes of having a year or more of med school paid off before I even start, so I'd rather take a 3.6 than a 3.9 if it means much more money

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Check out the Med Business forum here on SDN - It's for aspiring MD/MBAs. There are a few active members there that are in your situation.

 

[cardsurgguy]

the reason why I purposefully didn't post there is b/c I figured those people would be in combined MD/MBA programs, which would then mean my question doesn't apply to them since they didn't apply with their MBA

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

the reason why I purposefully didn't post there is b/c I figured those people would be in combined MD/MBA programs, which would then mean my question doesn't apply to them since they didn't apply with their MBA

That forum hosts a variety of individuals. Some are in MD/MBA programs, others are MBAs with an interest in medicine, and others are MDs or pre-MDs (DO as well) with an interest in business. The forum moves slow, and you can't expect many responses to most questions, but any valid question is addressed sooner or later. Take a look every once in a while at the Med Business forum, I think you might find it useful 👍

 

[eralza]

I earned a masters in international management ("MBA-lite") back in 2000. You are right about the business classes being so much more laid back. My undergrad GPA was mediocre (3.3), but I graduated with a 3.9 from my M.S. program.
In my opinion, an MBA or graduate degree in a field outside of science shows diversity, increases your understanding of other concepts, and helps you interact with a greater number of people. The grades will most likely be overshadowed by this increased perspective.

 

[vcatz]

For me the MBA has been a plus in interviews. I have presented it in a manner such that my business training will better equip me in the current environment of medical pratice. The interviewers seemed to agree. It also demonstrates that I am a dedicated student and can complete a graduate degree.

Feel free to PM me with additional questions.

 

[kelley201]

For me the MBA has been a plus in interviews. I have presented it in a manner such that my business training will better equip me in the current environment of medical pratice. The interviewers seemed to agree. It also demonstrates that I am a dedicated student and can complete a graduate degree.

Feel free to PM me with additional questions.

I agree, it makes you appear better informed about how the medical system works and on closed file interviews you can smash questions that test your knowledge of the business of medicine like, "whats an HMO?"

 

[snapdad]

I did the same thing as the OP -- I got an MBA in health administration after undergrad, and then applied to med school. My grad GPA (3.4) was lower than my undergrad (3.7). There were two reasons for this: one was that the curve was completely different, i.e., because a B is the lowest passing grade, it's hard to get either an A or a B, but it's super easy to get an A-/B+ because that's where the mean is. Which one you get often depends on subjective factors. The other reason is that it's hugely group work oriented, so your grade depends a lot on other people's efforts.

Anyway, my point is that undergrad and grad GPAs are often like apples and oranges, and I think adcoms know this. Nobody seemed to pay much attention to my grad GPA when I applied, but they were interested in it from the perspective that I probably had something unique to offer to the class, and that the Health MBA would be useful in my career down the road. In other words, I think it helped, and they didn't look at the grad grades as much as the overall experience.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Well I haven't applied yet, but I am in same position.

I have talked to an asst dean, said MBA grades will be looked at (my undergrad sucked) and is considered an asset. Its experience and life experience. That is what med school wants. Sorry for short post, can't write all I would like. at work 🙁

 

[CanIMakeIt]

For me the MBA has been a plus in interviews. I have presented it in a manner such that my business training will better equip me in the current environment of medical pratice. The interviewers seemed to agree. It also demonstrates that I am a dedicated student and can complete a graduate degree.

Feel free to PM me with additional questions.

Same here...(at one of the interviews when talking about the factors involved in choosing a school, I mentioned cost effectiveness among other factors and he started laughing saying, "I knew that MBA in you was going to speak up.") It has always come as a positive thing..about GPA, I have about 3.6-3.7 from that program and was never even mentioned in any of the interviews. SO I guess as long as you have ~3.5-3.6 you should be fine....

PM me if you want additional details.......