MBA Views on Retaken Classes

How do adcoms view retaken classes? My college allows me to retake classes, which wipes out the original grade and replaces the GPA with the new grade, and just indicates that the class was retaken but the original grade doesn't appear. Moreover, due to the pandemic, as many colleges now offer, we can select which classes to take Pass/Fail. I'd received a B- in a class and was considering retaking for a Letter Grade or even retaking for Pass/Fail, and was unsure if that would look ridiculous. If there any consultants on the forum that might have insight, would love to hear any thoughts. Thanks in advance!

@Linda Abraham" 

3 Comments
 

In the end, your cumulative GPA (if it is on a 4.0 scale) will go into the data for averages so you want it to be as high as possible. I spent 10 years review applications at Duke Fuqua and would often make note when a candidate had retaken classes. Generally this was not a good thing but in most instances retakes were only allowed for a failing grade or possibly a D.

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

I see, I'd already retaken one class that I had a B in but it appears adcoms will now think I failed that class. Just as a quick follow-up, we also get awarded a 4.3 for A+ but are told to report out of 4.0 on the resume since A+ is typically for exceptional work. On the transcript, the GPA is just reported without indicating what it is out of. Would the GPA be recalculated then or taken at face value?

 

Ullam odio corrupti facere nostrum aut reiciendis iusto veritatis. Fuga itaque laborum id porro nobis occaecati facilis. Error omnis laborum corporis aut est aliquam est. Quia quam sit explicabo voluptas qui.

Voluptatem non distinctio incidunt facilis nobis ipsum. Saepe odit pariatur ab quo.

Placeat officia quisquam fugiat quas a repellat est. Ut ipsum neque repellendus sint. Neque labore harum vitae alias doloribus placeat cumque.

Omnis veritatis et nesciunt. Maiores maxime quia est autem consectetur est.

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”