Alternative transcript to take focus off low GPA

Question

My concern is my low GPA from undergradтАж a 3.0, econ/math major from a top 20 university. To overcome this, IтАЩm looking into taking summer courses (undergrad) from either Hunter College or Baruch here in NYC and doing the most I can to secure an A. IтАЩm wondering if these will take emphasis off my 3.0 given that the courses will be from a less prestigious university. IтАЩve read about people on here taking online courses from UCLA and am thinking if this might be a better route. Also will the courses I select matterтАж IтАЩm planning on taking some applied stats courses and intro to corporate finance. Will it matter if I take the courses from 2 different places? What is the minimum # of courses for an alternative transcript?

dukes · Answer

Where do you want to go? I had a GPA close to your's from a school ranked slightly outside the top 20. My GPA was largely the result of some bad math grades. Rather than taking classes, I just made sure I did well on the GMAT. Ultimately, I was accepted or waitlisted everywhere I applied but Wharton. I'm not sure if thats the best strategy, but i really doubt that taking some classes would have helped that much. You just need to be able to explain it a little.

johnnyx9 · Answer

I had a horrible GPA but I didn't bother with classes either, just focused on the GMAT. I didn't do quite as well as Dukes w/ respect to the places I was admitted or dinged, but I really never felt that my GPA was that big of a deal because I've been out of school for so long.

The thing is, I think that for the schools that would really care about a low GPA (mostly ultra-elites), they're worried about low GPA's because that says to them, "This person hasn't always been a superstar." Doing supplemental classes won't change the fact that you weren't a superstar as an undergrad. Supplemental classes might take care of any doubts they have as to your academic potential, but a good GMAT score will do the same thing.

Obviously I'm not an admissions officer and I don't know how they all operate, but I really don't like the idea of alternative transcripts because I think it's crazy to jump through hoops like that, almost the same as joining a volunteer organization just for the sake of putting it on school applications. They're both really the same, they're easy things that anyone can do (and yes I believe anyone can take classes and get A's).

I'm sure many people would disagree with me on this.

baer · Answer

I'm looking to go to NYU (part time or full), Columbia, Yale, or Duke. My situation is simillar to dukes as a few bad math/quant econ courses caused the 3.0.

johnnyx9 · Answer

Outside of Columbia, I don't think your GPA will be a big strike against you provided you score well on the GMAT to put to rest any doubts as to your academic potential.

pelihu · Answer

Actually, Columbia is probably least GPA conscious of the top schools, so a 3.0 there is probably OK - provided you do well on the GMAT. With a 3.0 from a top 20 school as a math major, your GPA is probably OK as it is. Score solidly into the 700s on the GMAT and they won't give your GPA another thought.

johnnyx9 · Answer

Pelihu - I meant of the schools that he/she is targetting (NYU, Columbia, Yale, and Duke), Columbia would probably be most concerned about GPA. I'm basing this on anecdotal evidence (personal and otherwise) that these other three schools admit people with low GPA's if they have good GMATs. I agree that other M7 schools would be very concerned with his/her GPA.

baer · Answer

I read your post on another thread that you took a few courses online from UCLA... what was the specific feedback you received from ad coms concerning this. I wouldn't be a problem for me to do that between now and application time this fall. Also in my case, I graduated in '04, so it hasn't been that long since my undergrad experience. 

 My work experience is what's really going to drive my application as it is unique. Most likely I'll max out at around 700 on the GMAT.

pelihu · Answer

Johnny, I agree. Baer, I didn't receive any specific feedback about taking courses, I just gathered information on my own. Your situation is different than mine though. Your GPA is within the middle 80% range for your target schools, while mine was below. Also, I went to a good and very competitive undergrad (UCLA), but I was an English major which isn't known for being particularly difficult (it was known for good looking girls though

). Finally, I hadn't taken a math course since high school and I knew schools would be concerned about my ability to handle the work. I do recall one thing that Linda the adcom from Columbia said in an online chat. She said that a single course didn't simulate the intensity of a business school load, so that might not help that much; that's why I took 4 all at once while still running my business. If you're going to apply to Columbia, I highly recommend applying in the early round.

Alternative transcript to take focus off low GPA

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