Does pass/fail weaken transcript?

Hi all,

Wanted to hear some thoughts on taking a course pass/fail and how it relates to MBA admissions. Though it is not a definite, I want to leave the door open and optimize my transcript.

I am a second semester senior at a liberal arts college, will be joining a finance leadership development program at a tech company, currently have a 3.9+ GPA, and have yet to take a course pass/fail. I've finished all my major and minor requirements (economics major, statistics minor) and am taking a biology course on the science of brewing as an elective.

It's a bit more challenging than I thought and I'm expecting between a 3.25-3.75 for the course. I would choose the pass/fail option to keep my GPA higher and reduce workload. Is there any potential downside to doing so? Do admissions look down upon this option, even if it's outside the scope of my major?

Thanks!

 

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