Building an Alternative Transcript

Expert replies

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:36 am

Dear deeptideepti,

I think the pre-MBA courses or the undergraduate coursework is fine as long as there is a quantitative/analytical component to the class. Likewise, I think your explanation/reasoning for the time length of your master's degree is on the right track.

Regards,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me

Like this post

harsh.champ: Legendary Member; Posts: 1132; Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:38 amFollowed by: 6 members; Location: India; Thanked: 64 times; GMAT Score:760

by harsh.champ » Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:15 pm

Hi Lisa,

I am currently preparing for the GMAT.I am getting 48+ continously in my practice tests in Quant.But I got 3 C's and only 1 B in my undergrad college Math subjects.
Here are my grades:-
Mathematics I,II and III - "C+",
Numerical and Statistical Methods - "C",
Applied Mathematics - "C",
Object oriented Programming and Advanced Numerical Methods - "B"

Seeing the long chain of C's I guess even though I may get a 50/51 in Math section,I need to provide an alternative transcript.Do you also think so?

Also I can't seem to figure out a good online course that is reputed?
Regarding the course content also,some are advising to take calculus,some micro-economics so I am in a bit of a fix as to what course and what content should I look for?

Can you suggest me regarding the online course and the duration(in no. of hrs) that the course will entail?

Thanks in advance.

It takes time and effort to explain, so if my comment helped you please press Thanks button

Just because something is hard doesn't mean you shouldn't try,it means you should just try harder.

"Keep Walking" - Johnny Walker

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:04 am

Dear harsh.champ,

I do think completing 1-2 courses will be helpful as you want to demonstrate you can excel in the classroom, as well as have the aptitude based on the GMAT. Faculty are proponents of math classes, so I think an algebra and calculus class are a good choices. For another class, you might consider a statistics class. The class should be equivalent to an undergraduate class, which would be noted as a 3 hour or 3 credit class on the transcript (but requires more of your time to complete). For online options, be sure you select an accredited program. There are many options in the US, from community colleges to universities. I know of many folks who have had success with both the Extension schools of the University of California system (i.e., UCLA Extension, UC Berkeley Extension, etc) and the University of Maryland.

Good luck,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me

Like this post

harsh.champ: Legendary Member; Posts: 1132; Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:38 amFollowed by: 6 members; Location: India; Thanked: 64 times; GMAT Score:760

by harsh.champ » Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:42 pm

Hi Lisa,

1)Can you point out the online courses websites? I do reckon that you have mentioned 2 of them.Does the transcript from mbamath.com serve as an alternative transcript towards demonstrating my aptitude towards Quant or should I only take the online university courses?

2)Also I was told that the AdCom wants to look into how much time you have put in the classes rather than only seeing your A's?Can you throw some light on this subject?
Do they want to see a minimum of hours that I have out into the course or just the grades would suffice?(I am assuming that I can complete the online course at my own pace)

3)I am currently in India so I would have to do with the online courses only as I am not able to find any other option.

Thanks in advance.

It takes time and effort to explain, so if my comment helped you please press Thanks button

Just because something is hard doesn't mean you shouldn't try,it means you should just try harder.

"Keep Walking" - Johnny Walker

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:05 pm

Whether or not mbamath.com will be viewed as equivalent to taking courses will vary by school. It is certainly an alternative preparation program that is gaining recognition each year. You might ask mbamath.com to offer some insight into how its courses are perceived by different schools to get a sense of whether or not it will be a viable option for you.

Transcripts do not show how much time you put into any class; they show how many credits or hours you earned for a class and the grade you received. Depending on where you decide to take these classes, you might or might not get questions around your efforts as a way to determine how rigorous the class is. However, I have not heard that this is a growing trend. As the next admissions cycle begins, it might show itself to be growing in popularity though.

Regards,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me

Like this post

analyst218: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 140; Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:43 pm; Thanked: 3 times; GMAT Score:720

by analyst218 » Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:40 pm

Hi Lisa,

I was debating which courses I shall take over the summer before I send my application this fall(with which I need help)

My GPA is 3.2, got B or higher in all of my quantitative classes, (finance major). CFA Level II candidate,
710 GMAT Q49 V37. Most of my less than B grades are from verbal oriented classes such as Religious studies, History,.. The only Cs that I received in business related classes are from Business law and Business Comm. My AWA score is 4.5. Despite the fact that I speak English as my third language, I'm concerned that AdCom might be concerned about my Verbal capabilities.

that said, would you suggest taking Bus Law and Business writing classes, supporting my case for verbal capability and improve my previous C's or go with the traditional Pre-MBA Math routine?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Best,

Like this post

jcpitts: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:17 am

by jcpitts » Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:16 pm

Hi Lisa,

Hi Lisa,

I'm attempting to get myself ready to apply to business school by the fall 2013, to enter in the class by 2014. I have a question regarding my alternative transcript. I have 2.5 GPA on a downward trend. I had a 3.1 entering into my last year.

I was planning on taking the following courses to build my transcript taking courses at a community college. How much of difference do you think it is take classes from the community college vs something like UCLA extension school which is a bit more expensive? Also, do you advise taking additional classes elsewhere?

Also, I was planning on taking these courses before, I take the GMAT. Does that make sense?

1 - Econ Micro (Community College)
2 - Econ Macro (Community College)
3 - Accounting for Business Students (Community College)
4 - Business Math (Cal Extension School)

Like this post

becs5213: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:33 pm

by becs5213 » Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:47 am

I'm looking at taking some quantitative coursework to build an alternative transcript as I was a communications major in undergrad. While I scored a 700 on the GMAT, my Q score was only a 44 so I know I need something to prove to admissions that I can perform in rigorous quantitative coursework.

I know that Wharton now offers there first year core MBA curriculum online for free via Coursera and schools like MIT Sloan offer a number of both undergrad and graduate classes for free online (https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/). My budget is limited so would something like this be sufficient? Or, if I'm going to spend the time on the coursework, would I be better off investing the money and taking 2-3 courses at UCLA or UC-Berkeley extension online instead?

Looking forward to your advice, thanks!

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

GMAT Course Reviews

559 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review