Extra Classes
[#permalink]
09 Apr 2009, 19:59
Hi
I applied this year to HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg and Columbia. I got interviews from Stanford and Wharton (and obviously Kellogg) but unfortunately no admits. I feel I still have a strong profile. I graduated in 2005 and I am 25 and a CPA and CFE (certified fraud examiner) who works for a Big 4 accounting firm doing fraud investigations. My ECs are good and I have good leadership in and out of the work place. My GMAT was 710 (Q - 48 (84%) V - 41 (92%)). However the huge black eye on my app was my UG GPA. I majored in accounting and I have a 3.1 cumulative GPA. In addition to the low GPA I got a C in calculus my freshman year.
I want to apply R1 next year as a re-app to Stanford and Wharton bc I feel like I was close this year. I will add some other schools that may be more realistic for me.
My question is what classes should I take? Obviously I will take a calc class, but what else? How many classes should I take? I have heard of people using the alt transcript to prove their quant abilities, but can it also be used to make a 3.1 UG GPA more competitive? In addition to calc should I take stats (got a B in college) and/or maybe a soft class like Org Behavior (got C+ in college)?
The only C's that I got in business related classes are in calculus and Organizational Behavior. I got a B in Stats. I am definitely going to take a Calculus class. For my second class I can't seem to chose between OB and Stats. I have always heard that it is best to take Quant based classes when going for the alt transcript, but then I also am looking to make up for poor undergrads and my generally low UG GPA (3.1). So part of me says take Stats because it is quant based and a more traditional biz class (however I got a B in college). However, another part of me says to just try to make up for my C+ in Org Behavior and retake that class (however it doesn't seem to be a really important or necessary biz class). Also the class that I have found most like OB thru Berkeley Extension is called Organization and Management, do you think that adcoms will see that I am trying to make up my OB grade with that class?
I am really torn here. Should I try to take all 3? The OB class at Berkeley Extension is only 2 units (normal classes are 4). So it may be possible to do all 3 over the summer.
If I can't take all 3, which 2 would be the best to take in order to improve my academic background and application as a whole?
Does it matter where I take the classes? I am located in the SF Bay Area, and trying to see what will work with my schedule. I can take online classes through local community colleges or try for the UC Berkeley Extension program. I obviously know that Berkeley Extension is a better name, but does community college vs. Berkeley extension matter to the b schools?
I feel like I was really close this year and need to address this glaring issue, any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!