Alternative transcript to counter no-name undergrad?

Question

Hi All,

I'm currently on the fence about starting an alternative transcript. My gpa (3.48) falls around most top schools averages, however, I'm considering starting the alternative transcript to make up for a no-name liberal arts undergrad. From what I have been reading, all else equal, an average gpa at a no-name undergrad puts me at a disadvantage.

Any advice regarding this issue? Would it just be a waste of my time?

Thanks,
HImba88

MBADecoder · Answer

Hi, Surprisingly some top b-schools like Wharton, Berkeley Haas, and Stanford attract a huge amount of people from liberal arts- more than 40% of the class composition. So if you are fretting your humanities background, fear not! If you think strongly that an alternate script will help you, then go ahead and take some quant focused courses. I don't believe they will be useless for you in the long run. Namita www.mbadecoder.com

CA88 · Answer

Thanks Namita. Oddly enough, I took a lot of quant courses in undergrad and basically only took the minimum required humanities courses. In fact, it's those humanities classes that are dragging my GPA down!

My main concern was whether or not an alternative transcript (and accordingly a slight increase in cumulative GPA) help make up for attending a no-name undergrad. From what I have been reading, coming from an unknown undergrad typically requires a higher than average GPA in order to be competitive. I understand what you are saying in that it can't hurt, but I'm just curious if my time would be better served working on other things.

CA88 · Answer

Sorry to bump this thread in the middle of the application craziness. I was wondering if there is a minimum level of classes for alternative transcript building. I'm looking at night classes to take after work. Unfortunately, the only business classes available are the basics which I've already taken in undergrad (i.e. basic accounting, finance, etc.).

I was looking into math classes, but the only classes available are low level math classes (i.e. Algebra I). I took calculus in undergrad, so would taking Algebra I seem like I am chasing an A (don't get me wrong, I am, just trying to be a little more subtle about it). I've read previous posts about the level of alternative transcript classes "not mattering" but I'm just curious if there is a minimum level before it starts looking ridiculous.

Thanks,
HImba88

ManhattanReview · Answer

I am a big fan of candidates developing an alternative transcript, if needed. In your case, a 3.48 GPA in a difficult major from a non-name brand school may still make you competitive at some top programs. For instance, Wharton accepts a relatively large number of students from small Pennsylvania colleges. I know that a few other top programs including Booth, Ross, Fuqua and Anderson do the same. If your goal is HBS, Stanford or Columbia, these programs are very Ivy and Ivy equivalent focused.

Before you invest the time and money in developing an alternative transcript, I would recommend that you seek counsel from an experienced admissions expert. They will be able to advise you on whether this endeavor is necessary or if there are better ways to spend your time and money. Your assessment of your own candidacy may not be correct and there might be better ways to enhance your candidacy.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

CA88 · Answer

Thanks Kimberly. Could you assist me in evaluating my candidacy if I pm you my info?

Your above statements got me thinking about whether I'm wasting my time and money shooting for schools already out of my reach to begin with.

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Alternative transcript to counter no-name undergrad?

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