baer wrote:
Paul,
I’m looking to apply to a top 15 B-School this upcoming fall, so right now I’m in the process of preparing my application. My edge in getting into a top program is my unique work experience; I work on the business side of fashion and have seen my peers over the past 2 years get into Stern, HBS, Duke and Wharton… each of them with LESS impressive responsibilities than I have. There is a demand from B-Schools for non-traditional work experience and I will play this up to my utmost advantage.
Right now I’m studying for the GMAT and plan on getting between 650-700. However, my concern is my low GPA from undergrad… a 3.0, econ/math major from a top 20 university. To overcome this, I’m looking into taking summer courses (undergrad) from either Hunter College or Baruch here in NYC. I’m wondering if these will take emphasis off my 3.0 given that the courses will be from a less prestigious university. I’ve 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 matter… I’m planning on taking some applied stats courses and intro to corporate finance. Will it matter if I take the courses from 2 different places?
I also plan on doing some charity/community service work as well… but please advise on how to downplay the 3.0..
Thank you,
baer,
The prestige of the school at which you take the "alternative transcript" courses does not matter as much as the grade you get in them, however, it certainly wouldn't hurt to take them at the best school you can. Given that your GPA is not awful and was achieved at a strong school, I actually think posting a high GMAT score (700+) would be more helpful for you than the classes (though, of course, you could do both). Schools generally like to see you performing well in hard-core "pre-MBA" quant courses like statistics, calculus, or accounting, so I wouldn't bother taking anything too far removed from these core subjects.
No problem taking the classes at different schools. Your fashion background is an asset, I agree, but if you're aiming high you will not want your industry to be the only thing that makes you stand out. Hopefully, you will have some unusual experiences on the family background side or personally such as international experience or difficult challenges overcome. Also, showing high impact and leadership in every aspect of your life will help as well. Try to make the charity work you do be in a *leadership* role.
Good luck,
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24 Apr 2007, 08:33
