NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 25 Apr 2024, 19:16 It is currently 25 Apr 2024, 19:16
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

What to do about appalling undergrad grades?

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
avatar
Kumbaya
Manager
Manager
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 56
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
What to do about appalling undergrad grades? [#permalink] New post   24 Aug 2007, 03:16
Looking through my undergrad transcript in preparation for the application process, I was reminded of my rather appalling grades.

I double majored in Sociology and Economics... my Sociology GPA was in the 3.7 area, while my Economics GPA hovered at barely 3.0. A lot of my econ classes (the quant ones) were in the Cs.

On the flipside, for my MBA, my quant classes (Finance, Accounting, Research methodology) are in the 90s. My GMAT scores aren't outstanding, but my quant actually also outstripped my verbal.

Granted, during college I was really one of those that believed "Grades don't matter, as long as you get at least a C"... so I didn't really study. It was in my MBA that I actually worked my butt off for my grades.

I know most schools allow you to write a supplementary essay that "brings to our attention anything not immediately apparent in your transcript or application material." Should I write one such essay to explain what happened? Or let my application material speak for itself?

Much thanks on any comments or suggestions!
avatar
tkkoh
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 05 Oct 2005
Posts: 412
Own Kudos [?]: 23 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   24 Aug 2007, 11:52
Don't emphasize your undergrad grades in a separate essay. If you have a good reason, you may want to briefly explain (like in 1 or 2 sentences) why your U GPA is such-and-such. You may want to also draw the attention to the improved graduate GPA (although I'm not sure if the grad courses that you have mentioned are "quantitative enough" for PhD).

Do be prepared for questions during your interview. I had mainly As and Bs for my undergrad (not graduate work), and I was asked "Why were your grades as such?" (the underlying question was why didn't I get more As).
User avatar
hobbit
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 23 Jun 2006
Posts: 263
Own Kudos [?]: 361 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   24 Aug 2007, 19:41
agree with tkkoh...
mention the improvement - not the past low scores.
also - depending on your interest - this might not be an issue at all - but be prepared to talk about it. don't write an extra essay....use it for something more positive.
after all this application should convince them of 2 things:
1) you have all what it takes to become a great researcher
2) you fit the specific program. you have some value to add to it, which makes you a better candidate for this program over other candidates.

so use all the space you have to support these.
a friend told me (when i started my applications and considered to "explain" some of the weaker aspects of my application): "don't spend words talking about the downsides of the application. they will find them without your help".

good luck...
User avatar
hobbit
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 23 Jun 2006
Posts: 263
Own Kudos [?]: 361 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   24 Aug 2007, 19:50
another thought on this matter:

when explaining your career goals in the SOP you can add a sentence like:
"once I became more focused on research, towards the end of my undergrad studies, I invested some efforts in improving my research skills, bith quantitative and qualitative"

in my opinion - this will do (but it has to make sense with what's coming before and after)
don't mention a reason for the low grades... it will dig your own grave...
avatar
Kumbaya
Manager
Manager
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 56
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   24 Aug 2007, 22:55
hobbit wrote:

snip.

a friend told me (when i started my applications and considered to "explain" some of the weaker aspects of my application): "don't spend words talking about the downsides of the application. they will find them without your help".



Gotcha. Focus on the strengths instead.
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
[#permalink]
24 Aug 2007, 22:55
Moderator:
carcass
Board of Directors
4384 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions