Marks in a Post Graduation Course

[Cybermusings]

Dear Amy,

Couple of quick questions

- Enrolled for a Post Graduation in International Business and Finance after graduation, which later got converted into a MBA program.
- I got a very high CGPA (cumulative graded point average) of 7.8/10 and I was amongst the top 1% of the graduating class in PGD (amongst 327 students)
- I secured a 59.6% in my graduation which seems low at first but which was amongst the top 5% of the graduating class in a North Indian university

I want to know 2 things

- How much weightage is given to the performance in a 2 year post graduate program vis-a-vis the performance during graduation?
- There is no proof (in a document or certificate) that endorses my claim of being amongst the top 1% of my graduating class. It can be verified, but univs in this part of the world wont be very proactive in responding to reference calls or verification e-mails. How should I handle this?

[Amy]

Hi Cybermusings,

Are you asking about the weight of an undergrad GPA vs a grad school GPA?

All of your academic experiences will be evaluated in the process, so your performance in grad school will be important. It sounds like the classes you took in grad school were even more relevant to MBA coursework than your undergrad classes, which is great.

I would try to obtain some documentation about the top 1% claim, but if you can't do it there isn't much you can do. I would focus on addressing any weaknesses you can change now, and playing up your strengths.

Good luck!

Amy

[Amy]

One more thing - I should note that your class standing is self-reported on applications. Therefore you do not need official verification during the application process, and the attempt will be made to verify only after you are accepted.

If you genuinely were in the top 1% I think you can feel comfortable saying so on your application.

Good luck!

Amy

[Sadowski]

I've got a question very similar to this...

When I was within 2 terms of graduating, my friends and I went to the registrar to ask for our class standing. Just recently (years later), I asked again but they said that they don't keep that information after graduation.

Based on the number I was given when I was close to graduating, and the number of students who graduated that year, I know what percentile range I was in. But is it a bad idea to claim it without the possibility of verification?

Thank you!

[Amy]

Hi Sadowski,

This issue is a bit in the gray area. It sounds like you have a reasonable estimate of your class standing that is correct as far as you know. You could self report it, but there is definitely a possibility that it would be a problem at verification time.

Keep in mind, class rank is not as important as GPA, GMAT or your essays by any stretch of the imagination.

Good luck!

Amy

[Sadowski]

Thanks Amy! You've been a great help.

[Cybermusings]

Thanks Amy....that is definitely of great help

Yes....as you mentioned....I was asking about GPA in post-grad vis-a-vis GPA in undergrad....

As far as post-grad is concerned, I can still talk to some professors and program director to send in supporting evidence....but chances for verification of undergrad scores are very very slim

The bright side is that the post grad, was a course in international business and finance, and thus much more relevant to my future studies.

Another quick question - What is a admirable/good score in the TOEFL, for admission to a top school?

[Amy]

See my answer to the TOEFL question in the other thread. Thanks!