Taking classes before applying to MBA program?

Question

It has been 10 years since I graduated from college. I have a desire to either enroll in my local university as a non-degree seeking undergraduate student or take e-classes through a reputable university (although they grade pass/fail only so they are more geared towards professionals) so that I have more recent class experience that may help my application.

Does it matter if I take them for credit through my local university or if I take online courses with a pass/fail. Are grades looked at more favorably? I am interested in taking Finance, Statistics and Calculus classes - but may take an Economics class too.

Any tips? Classes that would be worthwhile to show the prospective MBA program that I am a serious student?

lagomez · Answer

Try taking graduate level courses

Alley01 · Answer

I do not want to take Graduate courses before being admitted to a great MBA program. Doing that would require me to transfer from one MBA program to another and I just don't want to travel that route. Plus, I don't want to take the GMAT until after I take these courses and go through the Veritas prep course. I would like to get into a top 10 program if at all possible and so doing things that may make my application more favorable other than getting a great score on the GMAT are high on the priority list.

lagomez · Answer

Don't enroll in an MBA program. Some schools have open enrollments in graduate courses. That was just a suggestion. A graduate course will look better than an undergraduate course (this from an admissions committee member at a top 10 school). Of course, take an undergraduate course if that is the only option. Something is better than nothing.

Alley01 · Answer

Don't enroll in an MBA program. Some schools have open enrollments in graduate courses. That was just a suggestion. A graduate course will look better than an undergraduate course (this from an admissions committee member at a top 10 school). Of course, take an undergraduate course if that is the only option. Something is better than nothing.[/quote]

Are there classes that admissions committees are more interested in seeing from their applicants? The Business schools in my area do not allow any non-degree earning students to attend their graduate classes. They aren't even top programs - maybe top 50. Many other programs allow for that, but all the classes I am interested in are through the Business program.

What do admissions committees think of transfer students? What if I did get admitted to one of the MBA programs just to take classes - would that really make me a good candidate? Wouldn't that just make me a transfer student and move me down the list since I have already been admitted to a program and attended classes through that school?

I am just wondering how transfer students are perceived and how students who have been out of college for as long as I have, who isn't a CEO can make a better case for getting into those top schools. :-D

Sorry for all the questions. I am new to this process and more familiar with Law School Admissions which appear to be so different. But, I really appreciate your feedback!

Sorry for all the questions. I am new to this process and more familiar with Law School Admissions which appear to be so different. But, I really appreciate your feedback!

lagomez · Answer

Are there classes that admissions committees are more interested in seeing from their applicants? The Business schools in my area do not allow any non-degree earning students to attend their graduate classes. They aren't even top programs - maybe top 50. Many other programs allow for that, but all the classes I am interested in are through the Business program. What do admissions committees think of transfer students? What if I did get admitted to one of the MBA programs just to take classes - would that really make me a good candidate? Wouldn't that just make me a transfer student and move me down the list since I have already been admitted to a program and attended classes through that school? I am just wondering how transfer students are perceived and how students who have been out of college for as long as I have, who isn't a CEO can make a better case for getting into those top schools. :-D

Sorry for all the questions. I am new to this process and more familiar with Law School Admissions which appear to be so different. But, I really appreciate your feedback! Any top program won't allow transfer credits. I was told to take accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and/or calculus.

Alley01 · Answer

Thanks. <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" />

Taking classes before applying to MBA program?

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