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Unusual question about GPA

Launched April 26, 2006
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by Vadim » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:55 pm
Hi,
I'm having an issue within my last year of the undergrad, raising a question. I have to repeat one course that I failed in my second year, and once repeated, the university records my new grade as is, while not putting that I previously failed it and instead putting 'NCR' for No credit retained close to my new grade, while my GPA is recorded with the new grade in count, not the old one.
But how do admissions at the top 20 MBA programs look at this if they do, and do they interpret it somehow when considering me as candidate?
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by Lisa Anderson » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:11 pm
Dear Vadim,

Schools will scrutinize your transcript, so it will be noted that you failed the class, you repeated the class, and how you did in the class the second time. They will also look to see how the school treats the retake in terms of GPA calculation and note that the second grade is used, but not the first. I would not say this will have a significant impact on your evaluation as an applicant--you will not be rejected just because you failed this one course. However, it will be weighed with any other evidence in your application of your ability to handle the rigor of business school. Thus if there is other evidence to suggest you will struggle with coursework, particularly quantitative coursework, then failing a class and earning only a B or C the second time adds to the concern. If there is other evidence showing that this one failed course was an anomaly, then it will be viewed as such and not greatly affect your evaluation.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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