extension courses

Question

hi folks,
I'm looking into taking online extension courses from UCLA to make up for bad econ/calc grades in college. I was wondering: if I'm planning on applying for admission this fall, do I need to have taken the course prior to submitting my application? Or is it sufficient to say in the "extra information essay" that I plan on taking that course prior to matriculation?

this may have been asked before but I can't find the post!
thanks,
ac.

this may have been asked before but I can't find the post! thanks, ac.

Omne · Answer

I'd suggest taking it prior, to show the AdComs that you thought of this before the application process. I'm sure they'd still look at your alternate transcript, but being able to say "I am so motivated and interested in your MBA program that I enrolled in and aced Such and Such Course from UCLA Extension!"

I recently signed up for Math for Managers at UCLA Extension Online to do just that, and combat a poor mark in Quant and Stats at WFU. I went so far as to sign up at 5AM the day enrollment began, to prevent any possible way of me missing this course! It ends in September (short, just about two months), so I can send that transcript with my undergrad and say "I know my marks weren't up to my standards in these classes, so I took this class at UCLA to show that I can handle the rigorous program at University of Awesome.

dox · Answer

I would recommend taking the courses prior to applying. What you seem to be describing is building an alternative transcript in order to compensate for low undergrad grades. AdComs look very favorably upon this. After all, if you can prove that you can handle the academic rigor of UCLA extension courses, it will mitigate most concerns they might have about your ability to perform in quant-heavy MBA courses. Without any marks from your extension courses, however, the MBA programs that you are applying to will have no evidence that you have actually improved in those areas. While it would still carry some weight in terms of showing initiative, your application would be much better served to have completed the courses - and, of course, to have done well in them!

ncp · Answer

I agree with everyone else here. While your GMAT is probably sufficient to dispel any concerns, it is always better to show your focus and determination by acing the extension courses. A bunch of A's on these classes will wipe away all doubts, from you mind as well as the ad-coms minds. Good luck!

P.S : I responded to your PM. Hope it helps.

P.S : I responded to your PM. Hope it helps.

isa · Answer

Thanks very much for your input here!! I really appreciate the verification that I'm not nuts for thinking this will help the application

One other question to put out there: what's the time commitment like on these courses? While I am prepared to spend as much as needed to do well on these, I want to make sure I leave adequate time for other things...like the apps themselves! Thanks again for your help, ac.

dox · Answer

I'm sure someone here who has taken courses through UCLA can give you a more relevant answer, but my online extension accounting course through BYU had 15 sections, each of which takes around 6-7 hours plus 3 midterms that have to be taken at an approved test center. I'd estimate the total course time to be around 110 hours. Since these are replacements for undergrad courses, the material should be equivalent to what you saw in a one semester course.

isa · Answer

thanks! I think I also read somewhere that some schools require the exam to be done in person at the school? for berkeley, I live in the midwest so I'm not sure if that's feasible....

anyone else run into this?

Angel652001 · Answer

You can take the exam out of state at a test center. I live in Chicago and I have the option to take it in the city and at a couple community colleges outside of the city. There's usually a small fee ($25 per test or $10 per hour) at these sites.

https://www-cmil.unex.berkeley.edu/resou ... m_req.html

If you scroll down to "Students outside of California" you can find a link to search for proctored exam sites in your state.

isa · Answer

oh sweet!! That will work really well! Then I'll just have to drive to Milwaukee (1.5 hours away) instead of flying - so definitely more doable! thanks much! ac. PS am way too excited about this!

ryguy904 · Answer

Way to be thinking ahead on this one. I really like your idea!! :good

Omne · Answer

Hey, I'm here to help everyone out! I suggest the course though; the AdCom at USC-Marshall specifically mentioned that course by name, and I had heard from other sources that it's looked upon very favorably

livehard · Answer

If at all possible, take UCLA Extension on-site classes. I've taken the finance and accounting online classes and they are pretty much a joke. While they gave me some decent preparation, it is nearly impossible not to get an 'A' (with zero background I had over a 99% in both classes based on about two hours of work a week). While that might sound good, I am pretty sure ADCOMs have a good understanding of the courses' rigor (or lack thereof).

VictoryMBA · Answer

You're saying that the USC-Marshall adcom recommended the course "Math for Managers" specifically through UCLA extension?

Just want to clarify.

Omne · Answer

That's what I'm saying. Straight from Veronica Ho.

sonibubu · Answer

Same for Berkeley extension, Basic Corp finance was a joke.

VictoryMBA · Answer

Will it say whether or not you took the course online on your transcript?

mba2013 · Answer

thought i'd give this old thread a bump instead of starting a new one.

anyone who can comment on the current thought about online extension courses (UCLA or Berkeley Extension)?

I was thinking of taking a calculus course - is that too much or should i focus on a finance/accounting/stat class? which do you think is more relevant?

Thanks

anu1979 · Answer

Hi, I posted my thoughts about extension school in  this thread . Hope that helps!

jb88 · Answer

Are there any success stories of these classes making a difference in lieu of a weaker quant score on the GMAT?

MaxwellRoper · Answer

Hi isa,

I wanted to share another pre-MBA resource that could complement taking formal, online courses to boost your GPA.

In addition to boosting their GPAs, many MBA candidates also look to boost their leadership resumes. That is why such individuals consider our professional group, USA Leadership Corps

USALC partners with pre-MBAs who are looking to enhance their leadership, consulting, entrepreneurship, and/or community-involvement backgrounds by facilitating part-time volunteer nonprofit & small business strategy consulting projects.

Our website: www.usaLeadershipCorps.org

Therefore, as you earn an A+ in 'Math for Managers' via a great online course, you could be adding an A+ experience to your resume via our group.

Thank you & good luck,

Maxwell Roper
Outreach Director
USA Leadership Corps

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