How to Explain An Employment Gap Or Low GPA

An MBA can be a worthwhile opportunity for a new career, better pay, and personal growth. But for applicants with a low GPA or past layoff, the barrier to those new opportunities may seem challenging.

While admissions officers seek out the best of the best for their business school, experts say there are ways to mitigate red flags in your MBA application. Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, recently discussed how applicants with red flags can still put their best foot forward towards an MBA and the opportunities it provides.

DEMONSTRATE GROWTH

If you had a gap in employment at any point, the best course of action is to highlight the steps you took to better yourself after a layoff.

“Briefly explain the layoff, and then draw attention to how you bounced back from the experience,” Blackman writes. “We’ve had several clients in this situation, and we advised each to approach the challenge differently.”

Similarly, a low GPA is another red flag that applicants should explain how they actively worked to improve.

“Some clients have chosen to take pre-MBA courses to boost their quantitative profile and alleviate any concerns about their ability to handle MBA-level coursework,” Blackman writes. “We also typically advise such applicants to use the optional essay to address the matter directly.”

GIVE IT STRAIGHT

Most importantly, experts stress, applicants should be sincere and straightforward in explaining their employment gap rather than come up with an excuse.

“You want them to assess your candidacy from a place of understanding as they review your entire application,” Jessica Chung, of Fortuna Admissions, writes. “Express honesty and reflection, with an awareness that your reasoning may alleviate any concerns.”

FOCUS ON POTENTIAL

Nobody is perfect. And an employment gap or low GPA don’t have to be the end all points of your admission. Rather, applicants should view these setbacks as opportunities for growth and, in turn, potential for success.

“Showing who you are, your potential, and even how you have overcome blemishes to your otherwise perfect record gives the school insight into your potential as a student and as a future business leader,” Blackman writes. “Sometimes, we all fail, but the trick is to try to look at your failures through a fresh lens and figure out the good that came from them.”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, P&Q