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alternate transcript - retake classes already aced?

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alternate transcript - retake classes already aced?

by partenac » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:14 pm
I'm looking into taking some classes to build an alternate/supplemental transcript. Just about everyone says to take quantitative classes such as calculus or statistics. I've noticed that Berkeley has such classes that can be taken online and qualify for people that are entering Haas that need to earn those credits. Therefore, I'm not too worried about the quality of the course being an issue if Haas gives it the thumbs up.

My concern is that I am a chemist and have already taken a lot of math (one class short of minoring) and quant classes. I could take a quant class in just about anything and I will already know 90% of the material that I did well in the first time through. It seems like I'd just be repeating course work. How would this be judged by an admissions officer? Will it look like I'm just manipulating the system or would the classes be devalued as a result of my background?
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by Lisa Anderson » Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:54 pm
Dear partenac,

My first question is why do you feel you need to build an alternate transcript? Did you do poorly in college? Having an alternate transcript, just to have one, will not strengthen your application. If you want to take courses to mitigate a poor GPA, then that is one way in addition to a high GMAT. If you have already taken that much math and done well in the courses, then I don't think taking additional math classes will have any effect on your admission decision. If you did poorly in the classes, then it might be worth taking a calculus and/or statistics class. If you want to take classes to refresh your knowledge or gain some exposure to business theory/terminology, then you should, but the classes might not have any effect on your admissions decision.

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by partenac » Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:12 am
Lisa,
Thanks for the reply! Indeed I do have a GPA that may be problematic. I earned a 2.7 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It's typically rated as being a top 10 chem school for grad school, so I don't think the undergrad reputation could be much different. Nevertheless, the GPA number does stand out.
The classes that hurt my GPA were some junior/senior level classes in physics, chemical engineering, and math. Retaking them isn't really an option because not too many local colleges or online courses offer classes at that level. Those that do would require me to retake several others at the freshman/soph level before being able to take the higher level ones.
This being the case, I am left with lower level classes to take. I don't know how much it would help to take a calculus class in which I already earned an A or B. I think my best option is to simply call the admissions departments at some prospective schools and get their opinions.

Regards.
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