Improving Quant Background

Question

Cross-posting this from another forum:

I have had no quant experience to speak of in the past ten years and want to take a class to shore that up before I apply in round two this year. A couple of questions:

1. Is it better to take statistics or calculus or does it not matter which? I've taken calculus long long ago but have no statistics background.

2. Is the below linked class okay or is it better to take the UC Berkeley proctored exam class OR and in-person class at a community college?

3. How are courses such as MBAmath.com and statistics.com viewed by adcoms versus online courses from academic institutions?

https://www.uclaextension.edu/pages/Cou ... eg=249400W

I have just missed my chance to take Statistics I in an in-person course, so I think I am stuck with online.

Thanks for your time.

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

A lot of people are interested in improving certain skills before B school, including quant. My recommendation is usually to do what you feel will help you the most, forgetting about the impact this will have on your application. This is not to say that adcoms don't care, because they do. BUT, they only care a little bit overall, as these extension courses are not that impressive regardless of where they are taken. A real class in person will look better than an online one, and of course the better the school, the better it looks.

In terms of what to take, Stats will be much more relevant than Calculus. That said, only do this after you have mastered the GMAT. I would rather see you score 20 points higher on the GMAT and forget about taking any class. Often people spend too much time taking these classes and forgetting about the core of the application. The same argument applies to your essays. If your essays are not perfect (with or without guidance), work on that first and if you don't think you have enough time to do everything, the class should absolutely come last. If you can do it all, go for it, I just want you to spend your time wisely.

Good luck!

Scott Edinburgh

squigglekins · Answer

Thanks for the insight. Sadly in-person is not an option anymore if I want the grade before 2nd round applications are due. I have already taken the GMAT and scored Q46, V44 and I don't plan to retake it. So right now I'm only looking at coursework for convincing them I can handle the quant. Will the extension course help with this if I'm looking at top 15 programs?

Forgetting about the adcoms and thinking about what will prepare me the best, I am definitely most interested in taking statistics.

Thanks again!

Forgetting about the adcoms and thinking about what will prepare me the best, I am definitely most interested in taking statistics.

Thanks again!

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Ok, that sounds like a good score, what was the total score out of 800? The extension course will help you (assuming you ace it of course) and if you have the bandwidth to do that, then go for it. If you want to discuss the essays at all, let me know. Of course don't underestimate the most important part of the application that you can influence at this point...

squigglekins · Answer

Thanks for the speedy replies! 720 was the total score (Q46, V44, IR 7, AWA 5.5). I am VERY focused on the essays right now as I see it as kind of the final piece apart from this.

GeneralEducation · Answer

Hi squigglekins,

You may also gauge your chances of getting admission in top business schools by trying Your Chances for B-School tool  https://bit.ly/1rRCod5

Hope this helps for your school selection based on your profile and requirement.

Cheers!

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