Repairing an average college GPA in NYC for business school application

Hello,

Over the next year, I am looking to take 2-3 basic business classes (accounting/finance probably) here at a college/school in NYC where I can earn a grade. I want to be able to point to these grades - which will be A's! - when applying to business school in a couple years as a way of shoring up my average undergrad GPA. Has anyone ever or known someone who has pursued this route? Do you think it is a good idea? Where/what schools have they taken classes at?

My background/story is below.

I went to a target undergrad school (non-ivy) where I had a 3.1 GPA within my LIBERAL ARTS major. My cumulative GPA was 2.6 overall. I have a story to explain my low GPA which is: 1) pre med my first 3 semesters where I did awful in 15 credits of science courses - big mistake wish I had dropped out of that program earlier 2) my total absorption in my extra curricular activites my last 2 years - including 1 year as Student Body President. I am looking to work 2-3 more years before I make a jump to a full time MBA beginning fall 2009 or 2010.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

-UES

 

I think it would only really help if you earned a degree from those grades.

btw, low-level Business courses are easy in terms of the subject matter itself. I don't think gpa is used to gauge one's ability to do the coursework in the MBA program as much as general intelligence.

I wouldn't advise it just for the sake of a b-school application down the line, but if you were to get really top grades in some 1-year masters program (part-time maybe?) then that would hold alot more weight. (The masters program need not be directly business-related and it might actually be better if it weren't- i.e. public policy masters, masters in economics, or a masters in anything 'scientific' or 'procedural' would be great)

get some more opinions though

 
Best Response

Upper,

Not to diminish the value of the previous posts but the one right above mine is way off. I am in a similar situation as you (25, 2 years PE experience, likely to matriculate to b-school in 09'). I have spoken with numerous adcoms through the MBA tour events in the city and they all have recommended taking a finance, stat, or accounting course at a local college (even at a community college) to demonstrate your academic aptitude and willingness to buckle down while working 70 hrs a week. You absolutely do not need to begin a masters program or take courses toward an additional degree.

Score well on your GMAT (partciularly on the quant section as you come from a liberal arts background)and get involved in leadership positions in the community. A 2.6 cum GPA will be difficult to compensate for (esp if you expect to gain acceptance into an M7 school) but you can hopefully leverage your job experience into an acceptance (assuming you have solid job exp) good luck

 

thanks for tips.

I feel like I need to take a couple classes to soften the GPA. If I am going to b-school I am going to a top 15 school and I need to soften this negative. These classes will also help me in my current performance on my job as it relates to my field so it is a win-win.

Junkbondswap: Did they recommend only taking 1 stat/accounting/finance course or all 3? And they said take an undergrad course?

eric: I work at a 2nd tier sell side fixed income firm in capital markets and am getting some great work experience.

more opinions are welcome.

 

Taking any class would be good for your profile. Preference would be like this:

1) Taking several quant-intensive classes at a local but decent university. If you're in NYC then NYU would be good. You don't need a Masters but a "certificate" of some kind would be very nice.
2) Taking one quant class at a local but decent university. 3) Taking quant class at reputable online school such as Berkeley Extension or UCLA Extension. 4) Taking quant class at community college. 5) Taking non-quant class.

You're in good shape since since you're planning early. You have plenty of time to take 3 or 4 classes, one at a time. By the time you apply you would'be built a pretty nice alterative transcript. Me I am applying this fall and had no time so resorted to 1 single online class.

Hope this helps.

 

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