Your Candidacy: Transcript Issues to Consider

by Stacy Blackman Consulting, Aug 12, 2010

Many applicants have a selective memory when it comes to their transcript. They remember the 3.8 in their psychology major but have somehow blocked out the C in Calculus and the overall 2.7. Your transcript is what it is, and it will not change, no matter how many classes you take after the fact. However, if you have low grades, there are things you can do to somewhat offset the damage. The following are some potential transcript issues that can be tackled head on with a bit of advance planning:

• Low GPA - A low overall GPA may raise a red flag for an admissions committee. They are seeking individuals with a track record of excellence, who prioritize academics and achievement, and who have the ability to excel academically. By taking a few classes now, you can offset some of their concerns. While straight As in post-undergraduate courses will not erase your original transcript, you can demonstrate that you have the ability to excel academically, that you have identified a weakness and are making an effort to rectify it, that you are committed to learning, and that you can balance multiple commitments successfully. All of this can help mitigate the damage done by poor undergraduate performance.

• Low grades in business or quantitative classes Even if your overall GPA is high, if the two classes that you bombed were Calculus and Statistics, this could cause concerns about your ability to excel in a rigorous business school curriculum. For some of the same reasons detailed above, taking relevant classes now will help to put the admissions committee at ease.

• No business or quantitative courses on the transcript If you are currently in a business role that does not require fluency with business or numbers, and you do not have any of these types of courses on your transcript, you might consider taking a class now. This will demonstrate an awareness of your deficiencies and help to provide a level of comfort around your abilities.

Finally, if you do plan to take some extra classes, some suggested courses to take are Calculus, Statistics, and Accounting. These basics will set the groundwork for a typical MBA curriculum.

For more guidance on your MBA application, contact us for a free phone consultation.