[nikolai1889]

Hi All!

This is a x-post from the general postgrad forum (sorry I am new to this website and am still getting the hang of things)

I am really nervouse about the upcoming application and would appreciate and feedback, reality checks or votes of confidence on my odds.

My stats are as follows:
Going into my 4th year at Harvard. Studying Philosophy with a CGPA of 3.65. First year GPA: 3.45, Second Year GPA: 3.67, Third Year GPA 3.85.
I have my Matric (5 A's), SAT (2100), and A-Levels (3 A's). (I am South African)
I plan on taking my GMAT and hope to score in the 720 range.
I have previous management experience running a math tutoring branch (< 1 year, building it from 50 to over 120 students)
I have also secured three amazing recommendations from my professors.

What is keeping me up at night in cold shivers is that in other threads I have gotten the impression that the 3.7 CGPA is a hard cut off point. What I am wondering is whether there is not some leniency given to the institution once has gone to, as well as other qualifications i.e. wouldn't a solid GMAT score be able to make up the difference of 0.04 in my GPA?

If anybody could lend some advice I would very much appreciate it. It is my dream school and programme and it would be nice to know whether I stand a slim chance or any chance at all.

Thank you!!

[Hanshen]

It's difficult to say without seeing your full CV, but I shouldn't think you would be held back by your GPA. The first class degree threshold is fairly black and white, however I'm sure that a 3.65 would be fine. Although there heavy emphasis placed upon grades in the Cam application process the process is more holistic. If you have some good extra curricular activity and experience in a relevant field it shouldn't be a problem.

[nikolai1889]

(Original post by Hanshen)
It's difficult to say without seeing your full CV, but I shouldn't think you would be held back by your GPA. The first class degree threshold is fairly black and white, however I'm sure that a 3.65 would be fine. Although there heavy emphasis placed upon grades in the Cam application process the process is more holistic. If you have some good extra curricular activity and experience in a relevant field it shouldn't be a problem.

Wow thank you very much for the reply, it means a lot. I hope they don't give one look at my application, see the 3.65 and then put me in the reject pile. I do have some hands on experience (the course itself is per-experience, but I fall within their bounds) and I am hoping that a solid GMAT score should help. Thanks again for the help!

[Hanshen]

(Original post by nikolai1889)
Wow thank you very much for the reply, it means a lot. I hope they don't give one look at my application, see the 3.65 and then put me in the reject pile. I do have some hands on experience (the course itself is per-experience, but I fall within their bounds) and I am hoping that a solid GMAT score should help. Thanks again for the help!

No worries, I'm actually taking the course this year so if you want to know any more information come October don't hesitate to ask. Once again, I wouldn't imagine a 3.65GPA from an Ivy would be outside the the realms of a possible offer.

[nikolai1889]

(Original post by Hanshen)
No worries, I'm actually taking the course this year so if you want to know any more information come October don't hesitate to ask. Once again, I wouldn't imagine a 3.65GPA from an Ivy would be outside the the realms of a possible offer.

Hey Hanshen, thanks so much for the offer to help man I really appreciate it. I actually had a question about the submission dates. So I would like to apply to the first round, which ends late October. I have read in other articles that its is best to apply in the first round over the second or third round. Is there any legitimacy to this claim?

Secondly, I want to write my GMATS but I will only be able to take the test after the first round closes. I dont know whether you would be aware but do I need to have written my GMAT before the closing date of the application?

Thank you soo much for your help and congrats and good luck on the getting into programmel you are living one of my greatest dreams!