Hello everyone,
I'm a rising senior at a public ivy and am interested in getting an MBA from a top program (top 15) a few years down the road. The thing is I didn't do so hot (got C's) my first 2 years in the quant classes these programs look at most heavily (stats, accounting, calc 1,). Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can address this issue early on. I've heard building an alternative transcript would be a good option by retaking these classes again and acing them. The thing is building an alternative transcript is a fairly big time and money investment especially if you're working full-time.
I also have another option. I'll have my major and minor requirements complete by my last semester (next spring) so I can afford to take 1 or 2 filler classes then. Unfortunately, I can't retake these same exact classes because of my school's policy. If I retake classes that I received a passing grade in it doesn't calculate in my GPA and I don't receive credit. I need those last couple credits in order to graduate. I'll just be short a few if I don't. Plus, I want more opportunities to raise my GPA (currently 3.4). So to get to the point, I thought about taking classes similar to the ones I did poorly in (ie. take another stats-related class to compensate for my C in stats) and acing them. I don't know how this would come off to adcoms though.
So should I take option 1 or 2?
1) Build a complete alternative transcript. 3-4 classes post-college either through UCLA extension or community college. Plan on taking the usual stats, accounting, calc, maybe another.
2) Last semester, take 1-2 similar classes to the ones I did poorly in. Still make an alternative transcript 1-2 classes at UCLA ext. or comm college instead of 3-4. Saves money and more time to focus on my job.
Some background that may help:
- Marketing major (so not exactly quant heavy in the first place)
- Got a Q48 on
MGMAT CAT. I realize that the GMAT especially the quant section could make or break me. So I have to really go all-in for the real thing.
- Asian male (hurts me I'm assuming in this situation)