Do I need to take Quant courses at this late stage?

[kegewe]

Hi,

I am currently enrolled in a summer Econ 1 course.

Tufts 2006: dual major Psych and Poli Sci
GPA: 2.6

GMAT: 750 (44V, 49Q, 6.0awa)

Summer session II is coming up and the second course I plan on taking is Econ 2. Do you think I need to take a more quant heavy course instead? I am trying to build an alternate transcript to offset my GPA a bit. I'm applying to top programs, with Stern as my top choice.

btw...I have learned that I have zero chance of gettting in at UC schools(unstated min of 3.0) and Columbia (admissions director told me), as they value GPA extremely highly.

I have been working since grad, with one year at Credit Suisse (PE analyst in FOF group). My job right out of college was in the security industry and after credit suisse, the security firm hired me back and promoted me to VP. Any thoughts about my application/chances in general?

[money9111]

Columbia (admissions director told me), as they value GPA extremely highly.

That's very disheartening

[kegewe]

Columbia (admissions director told me), as they value GPA extremely highly.

That's very disheartening

I agree...He said that the faculty has been pushing the adcom to admit more academically capable students. Columbia in general is Very academic and a bit light on the pragmatism. Quite the opposite of NYU Stern.

[Betsy Massar]

Hi,
I do think it is important you know how to sit in a class and perform well. I am a big fan of alternative transcripts, and encourage you to take as many quant courses as you can. To be honest, Econ 1 won't have as much of an impact as a statistics or a math course.
You might consider taking more courses and waiting a year. That may show more of a commitment to the academics. Admissions committees are concerned about your ability to process information in a school environment. The GMAT does not test that (it tests how you take a test, as you know). They want to know you are serious and you can turn it around.

I took 7 courses in 2 years to counter my poor GPA and lack of quant skills. It also proved to *me* that I really, really wanted it and really could do it. That was good for my own confidence once I got to HBS too.

Very best regards,
Betsy Massar
Master Admissions
www.MasterAdmissions.com

[ManhattanReview]

Hello,
I would continue to build up your alternative transcript until all the way through fall semester of next year (assuming that you are applying for fall 2011 entry). Simply put your undergraduate grades are not competitive and will cause some concern that you might not be able to compete in a demanding and competitive classroom environment. The best way for you to overcome this is for you to take as many classes as possible and to do very well in all of them. Business school weigh your most recent academic experiences much more heavily so doing well in classes now should be a positive sign.

I also want to emphasize that given your academic record, that you have no room for error any other place in your application. Your essays, recommendations, interview and all other aspects of your application moving forward must be top notch. Also, there are certain schools that are much more open to students who are rebounding from a not so great academic experiences and can prove that who they were in college is not the student who they would be in graduate business school. You need to make sure that you are applying to the schools that are most receptive to candidates with your profile.
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Best regards,
Tom Kania
Manhattan Review Admissions Consulting
www.manhattanreview.com