Best Alt Transcript for Low GPA

Question

Hey guys,

So I tried my hand at applying for grad school this year and failed… Now focusing on building myself up for next year (this year was always a long shot anyway). My work experience and essays were good enough to keep me in the game a lot longer than I should have, but my mediocre GMAT and poor GPA finally knocked me out eventually. I’ve maxed out my GMAT attempts so I’m stuck with a 650 until October. Working on the GRE instead right now. I also completed MBAMath last month in hopes that would help (it didn’t).

The only real next steps left is to build an alternate transcript. I already enrolled in 2 courses in the summer, and 1 in the Fall (in case I don’t get a GRE > 320 in time for R1 and need to work on R2).

My undergrad stats: University at Buffalo with 2 degrees: BS in Finance and Marketing, and BA in Economics. GPA was a 2.63.

Here’s my enrollments so far:

Summer I: Managerial Statistics at UCONN (registered as a non-degree Part Time MBA for it)

Summer II: Game Theory at SUNY Stony Brook (undergrad)

Fall: Financial Accounting and Reporting at UCONN (again MBA course)

I can also take Economic Analysis for Global Business for Summer II (also MBA Uconn class) but it sounds like it’’s mostly basic Econ material. Not sure if I’ll get much out of it as a Econ major.

In additeion, there is another MBA course called Managing Organizations that I can take next week (runs 1 month with long class sessions) but it doesn’t have any quant in the material.

Would 2 courses be enough by Round 1 or should I squeeze in a 3rd class? If I do need a 3rd class, which one makes the most sense (if either option) or would I be better off taking something else?

mbaMissionKrista · Answer

Hey  greatmightypoo 
LOTS to talk about here between the GMAT and the GPA. You are the type of person who will definitely get a lot out of a free consultation. You are doing the right thing with switching to the GRE but the GPA, even with additional classwork, warrants a more detailed discussion and evaluation. MBAMath is great. I like that you are taking more classes but I also don't want you to overdo it. You are better served by focusing on the GMAT/GRE. We also need to talk about your school expectations. Please set up a free consultation at your convenience!
Krista

greatmightypoo · Answer

Thank you, but there is nothing to discuss regarding the GPA. It's beating a dead horse. Had a garbage first year. I had a lot of catching up to do coming from a bad educational background and was heavily involved in school throughout. I have B+/A- quant coursework in addition to F/D's. There was improvement until my final semester where I mostly checked out and settled for C+/B- (had a post degree job already working 25 hrs/wk).

It's addressed in the applications I sent over. Most schools were pretty frank with their assessment: They liked my experience and interview, but are concerned with my quant ability. A higher quant GMAT score or some alternate coursework would definetly help (Remember, I'm 6 years out already...7 by next year so my GPA is mitigated).

My expectations are simple: GMAT 700+ or GRE 325+ and T10-20. As-is just T25-40. Anything less and there's legit no point in full time grad school considering where I'm at in my career.

Again, I can take more courses if needed, but I need to know how many by next week. Two schools I asked said 2 was enough, but I can take more if that helps.

Sorry if I seem pushy by asking. Just courses start on the 7th so need to know if an additional course helps (even if its not quant). Thanks!

Best Alt Transcript for Low GPA

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