Alternative Transcript Question

Question

I'm trying to build an alternative transcript in order to mitigate a low GPA from undergrad. I have signed up for two courses (accounting and quant) at the Continuing education school at one of the most prestigious universities in Canada (University of Toronto), which is also where I did my undergrad.

I just read on the following thread:
gpa-weight-38457.html

that signing up for courses at a Continuing Education School is a no-no -why is that? The courses I am taking have similar coverage and duration as their undergraduate course equivalents. Would the adcoms not look upon this favorably? This is really worrying me.

Thanks in advance for any insight

rhyme · Answer

I wouldn't over worry about this - the issue with continuing education classes that OasisNYK may have been thinking of is that they may not be of the same rigor as a full undergraduate level course. I'm not sure. Regardless, I don't think its a big issue - an alternative transcript from a reputable institution is what matters - not which 'school' the course is taken through (at least, in my view). To wit, the Graham school at chicago offers 'continuing education' courses that are actually identical to those at Booth (they even count as credit)

ariel · Answer

Thanks rhyme, that puts my mind to ease. I might include a sentence or two about the rigor of said courses in my essays. Hopefully that will take care of it

GoBruin · Answer

I don't think you should worry. There are a lot of people who have taken classes at continuing education, extension, and community colleges. I think the most important thing is that it has a strong reputation (not a degree mill) and you score an A. With low GPA, a couple solid A's should address any concerns over your ability to handle MBA coursework. After that it's all about how well you can sell your stuff and what you've done since college.

Pathfinder · Answer

I think that courses you've mentiond would be just fine. As Rhyme said, recognition of the institution matters the most, not the type of the particular school. Not taking courses in order to improve my academic credentials was one of my worst mistake during the application process. My overall GPA is quite high (3.55), but my only low grades were from Mathematics, Quantitative Methods and Accounting... Lovely, isn't it?

I've done some research and found some online courses such as UCLA Extension, but I didn't like the idea of onlinee course - for no reason. Even online courses are better than doing nothing. It is not about courses, classes, grades and knoledge you are about to get from building the alternate transcript - it is about dedication you are showing to the adcom. You are saying "OK, I wasn't doing well, I wasn't aware of importance of this and that, I wasn't mature enough... but that is behind me now. Now I understand how subject xyz is important and I want to show you that I understand, and I want to show you even by taking the online courses". I didn't have other option but taking the online course, where I come from alternate trancript is considered some kind of disease or some medical procedure :-D

Had I been in the United States, I would have taken courses at local college for sure.

Alternative Transcript Question

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