Post-grad class question

Question

Hey guys,

Would appreciate your thoughts on this:

I recently took a financial accounting course at a local continuing education program and had planned on taking a Calc course as well. The idea was to get exposure to these classes I never took undergrad a bolster a weaker quant GMAT (74% Q 710 overall). I have taken 2 stat courses, 5 econ courses in undergrad and the accounting--which i got an A in.

My undergrad gpa is a 3.5 so that is not much of a concern. I have recently been thinking my time might be better spent being more active in the community (which i have been for over a year) than sitting in class. Do you think having another quant course A would be worth my time or unnecessary? 

I can definitely find better ways to use my time. Keep in mind I am planning on applying next fall for 2007 and targeting top 10 schools.

Thanks for your feedback!

scottshrum · Answer

I like your thinking. And I love how you've been proactive about planning ahead and taking courses now. But (not knowing everything about you), I agree that you probably will help yourself more right now by getting more active in the community. The reason I say this is that you already have some good quant-type classes under your belt from your undergrad days. If you had none, then I might recommend taking more of those. But, I think that an adcomms will see your undergrad transcript and know that you can handle that stuff in the classroom.

BTW, about coommunity service... Don't just participate, but also take on leadership roles, run events, etc. Anyone can grab a hammer for a couple of hours per month for Habitat for Humanity, but the real stars lead in these efforts!

Scott

ice t · Answer

Scott, 

Thanks for the reply. Actually I am serving as Secretary/co-chair of a committee for my neighborhood association this year and will be President next year. I have been getting some advice to retake the GMAT to boost the quant. However, I feel this experience plus my government background, experience as a part-time personal trainer, and having been in a touring band will be enough stuff to mitigate that.

What do you think? Other info for me:

24, graduated GWU early 3.5. Int'l Affairs/Econ Major. Graduated early but spent about a year and a half temping while pursuing the band. Toured US three times and released a couple records. 

Now I work for Dept of Commerce as an analyst. Looking to apply to Stanford, Columbia, and Kellogg next year. if I get in nowhere reevaluate. 

Let me know what you think.

p.s. have your book and have found it very helpful

scottshrum · Answer

Wow, that's a pretty interesting background! I see what they're saying about boosting your quant score, but I still don't think that you need to. 

First, you have a good GPA with some rigorous courses. I don't think that a b-school will look at you and worry that you don't have the necessary intellectual horsepower. Second, you have done enough interesting things that adcomms will focus on those more than something as mundane as your quant GMAT score.

Put another way, I really don't think that your quant GMAT score will keep you out of business school. You may decide to do it, anyway, but I'd advise focusing on the other parts of your app. Remember that adcomms look at your total app, not just any one part. When they look at the whole, they'll know that you're smart enough to hack it in b-school!

Scott

Post-grad class question

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