Re-taking a class for b-school apps when GPA is high anyway?

Hi,

I am thinking about applying to some top b-school deferred entry programs in the next year and am trying to determine whether my application would be competitive. Specifically, I have a question regarding a low grade inside a high GPA:

I took a class that I got a C+ in for mitigating factors (which can be explained, but I don't know whether that would lead adcoms to disregard the low score). Specifically, the class was at the same time someone close to me had chemotherapy and so I missed the class often to be with that person- ended up with a C+. However, I did well (almost straight A's) in all other classes that year, and even with the C+ my GPA when I graduate/apply to the program will sit between a 3.7-3.8. In this scenario, will the C+ hurt me significantly? Should I retake it to try and improve my grade? Say I have enough money to cover the cost of an admissions counsellor to help with applications, or retake the class- which would be a smarter decision?

8 Comments
 

I wouldn't worry about it AT ALL.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

Hey, my friend got into 2+2 the other day and she talks about HBS ALL the time. If you have a 3.7/3.8, they will know that you are academically brilliant, but not perfect because shit happens and all of us are humans.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

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