Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 2007:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
Nov 2010:00 AM EST
-10:30 AM EST
If you’re applying to Columbia, NYU Stern, or Yale SOM, you need more than strong stats. Each school defines “leadership” differently, and your essays must reflect that. Join Sia Admissions founder, Susan Berishaj on November 20th
Nov 1201:00 PM EST
-11:59 PM EST
Get expert MBA strategy, instant essay feedback, and personalized advice on your entire application. Join My Admit Coach, the AI-powered MBA admissions platform built on 10K+ successful application docs for HBS, Stanford GSB, MIT and other top programs.
Nov 1909:00 AM PST
-10:00 AM PST
What’s in it for you- Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with Jenifer Turtschnow, CEO ARINGO. Come with your details prepared and ARINGO will share insights! Pre-MBA Role/Industry, YOE, Exam Score, C/GPA, ECs Post-MBA Role/ Industry & School List.- Nov 19
10:00 AM EST
-01:00 PM EST
Get expert MBA strategy, instant essay feedback, and personalized advice on your entire application. Join My Admit Coach, the AI-powered MBA admissions platform built on 10K+ successful application docs for HBS, Stanford GSB, MIT and other top programs. - Nov 19
11:00 AM PST
-12:00 PM PST
Round 2 is here — and it’s your chance to make your MBA dream happen! Join GMAT Club’s LIVE discussion with two top experts from The Red Pen, Gunjan Jhunjhunwala and Natasha Mankikar, as we break down everything you need to know 
Nov 2009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Join our free expert-led Essay Workshops to discover how to choose impactful stories, highlight your core values, and align your background with each school’s distinct culture, making every word truly count.
Nov 2108:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Nov 2109:30 PM IST
-10:30 PM IST
Learn how to craft powerful, authentic essays by mastering the 3 “WHYs” every top MBA program looks for: Why MBA, Why Now, and Why This School.
Nov 2408:00 PM PST
-09:00 PM PST
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
28 Jul 2014, 13:08
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello everyone,
I'm a rising senior at a public ivy and am interested in getting an MBA from a top program (top 15) a few years down the road. The thing is I didn't do so hot (got C's) my first 2 years in the quant classes these programs look at most heavily (stats, accounting, calc 1,). Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can address this issue early on. I've heard building an alternative transcript would be a good option by retaking these classes again and acing them. The thing is building an alternative transcript is a fairly big time and money investment especially if you're working full-time.
I also have another option. I'll have my major and minor requirements complete by my last semester (next spring) so I can afford to take 1 or 2 filler classes then. Unfortunately, I can't retake these same exact classes because of my school's policy. If I retake classes that I received a passing grade in it doesn't calculate in my GPA and I don't receive credit. I need those last couple credits in order to graduate. I'll just be short a few if I don't. Plus, I want more opportunities to raise my GPA (currently 3.4). So to get to the point, I thought about taking classes similar to the ones I did poorly in (ie. take another stats-related class to compensate for my C in stats) and acing them. I don't know how this would come off to adcoms though.
So should I take option 1 or 2?
1) Build a complete alternative transcript. 3-4 classes post-college either through UCLA extension or community college. Plan on taking the usual stats, accounting, calc, maybe another.
2) Last semester, take 1-2 similar classes to the ones I did poorly in. Still make an alternative transcript 1-2 classes at UCLA ext. or comm college instead of 3-4. Saves money and more time to focus on my job.
Some background that may help:
- Marketing major (so not exactly quant heavy in the first place)
- Got a Q48 on MGMAT CAT. I realize that the GMAT especially the quant section could make or break me. So I have to really go all-in for the real thing.
- Asian male (hurts me I'm assuming in this situation)
I'm a rising senior at a public ivy and am interested in getting an MBA from a top program (top 15) a few years down the road. The thing is I didn't do so hot (got C's) my first 2 years in the quant classes these programs look at most heavily (stats, accounting, calc 1,). Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can address this issue early on. I've heard building an alternative transcript would be a good option by retaking these classes again and acing them. The thing is building an alternative transcript is a fairly big time and money investment especially if you're working full-time.
I also have another option. I'll have my major and minor requirements complete by my last semester (next spring) so I can afford to take 1 or 2 filler classes then. Unfortunately, I can't retake these same exact classes because of my school's policy. If I retake classes that I received a passing grade in it doesn't calculate in my GPA and I don't receive credit. I need those last couple credits in order to graduate. I'll just be short a few if I don't. Plus, I want more opportunities to raise my GPA (currently 3.4). So to get to the point, I thought about taking classes similar to the ones I did poorly in (ie. take another stats-related class to compensate for my C in stats) and acing them. I don't know how this would come off to adcoms though.
So should I take option 1 or 2?
1) Build a complete alternative transcript. 3-4 classes post-college either through UCLA extension or community college. Plan on taking the usual stats, accounting, calc, maybe another.
2) Last semester, take 1-2 similar classes to the ones I did poorly in. Still make an alternative transcript 1-2 classes at UCLA ext. or comm college instead of 3-4. Saves money and more time to focus on my job.
Some background that may help:
- Marketing major (so not exactly quant heavy in the first place)
- Got a Q48 on MGMAT CAT. I realize that the GMAT especially the quant section could make or break me. So I have to really go all-in for the real thing.
- Asian male (hurts me I'm assuming in this situation)
28 Jul 2014, 14:17
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi OdinsRaven,
Great question -- and great of you to be thinking ahead.
I'm a big fan of alternative transcripts for a couple of reasons:
(1) Most of us didn't know what we were doing when we were 18 years old and we made the mistake of signing up for an 8am class/joined a few too many clubs/maybe had a few too many late nights. I think there's something to be said for recognizing your mistakes and then working to correct them; that's character in my book.
(2) Making the time/effort to go back and do the coursework while juggling a career says something about your time management and your dedication to your future MBA. Additional points to you.
(3) When you do the alternative work, you can keep it highly focused to those courses your MBA will require, which gives you a leg up when you're actually in the MBA classroom/allows you to help fellow students.
Now, in terms of your situation, I think it's a matter of personal preference. If it was me, I'd spend my final college credits taking something totally out there that I'd always wanted to take -- or that had incredible faculty teaching -- and just prepare myself for doing the math work later. But that's my personality. I don't think there's much of a strategic difference in terms of the application as to whether you take the classes now or later. (Fortunately, I know that UCLA extension classes are relatively inexpensive.) You need to do what's right for you.
Good on you for looking ahead and I wish you all the best!
MBA Prep School
Great question -- and great of you to be thinking ahead.
I'm a big fan of alternative transcripts for a couple of reasons:
(1) Most of us didn't know what we were doing when we were 18 years old and we made the mistake of signing up for an 8am class/joined a few too many clubs/maybe had a few too many late nights. I think there's something to be said for recognizing your mistakes and then working to correct them; that's character in my book.
(2) Making the time/effort to go back and do the coursework while juggling a career says something about your time management and your dedication to your future MBA. Additional points to you.
(3) When you do the alternative work, you can keep it highly focused to those courses your MBA will require, which gives you a leg up when you're actually in the MBA classroom/allows you to help fellow students.
Now, in terms of your situation, I think it's a matter of personal preference. If it was me, I'd spend my final college credits taking something totally out there that I'd always wanted to take -- or that had incredible faculty teaching -- and just prepare myself for doing the math work later. But that's my personality. I don't think there's much of a strategic difference in terms of the application as to whether you take the classes now or later. (Fortunately, I know that UCLA extension classes are relatively inexpensive.) You need to do what's right for you.
Good on you for looking ahead and I wish you all the best!
MBA Prep School
28 Jul 2014, 17:00
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for the input MBA Prep. Appreciate the compliments, just trying to setup myself for a well-rounded profile.
