How to Build Up an Alternative Transcript

[rsk02003]

Hello,

I am a few years removed from school and have been working for an insurance company pursuing the actuarial route since. While I have found the profession to be challenging and rewarding at times, I realize today that I no longer have the same passion and fervor to continue in this industry. I have shifted my focus away from the actuarial profession and am hoping now to land a spot at a top ten MBA program.

As an aspiring actuary, I feel that I have developed a good core set of skills on the job and have a pretty firm grip with the necessary quantitative skills in calculus, statistics, etc. As an undergrad, however, I struggled my frist two-three years in school as a cell biology major. As a result, my grades somewhat suffered and I look at my transcript today and feel that it could use a little boost.

I have already begun to put together my application, while preparing for my GMATs, but the transcript issue seems to be one component which I am not entirely comfortable. As a result, I would like to some classes on the side to build up an alternative transcript. I have decided to take two-three courses from a local community college, along with a course from UCLA Extension.

My questions are as followed:
- Typically, how many courses should one take to build up an alternative transcript?
- What types of courses should one take? From what I gather, many have suggested calculus, statistics, accounting, econ - any others?
- Does it matter where one takes courses? - i.e., community colleges v. UCLA/Harvard Extension v. four-year universities?

I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions in advance.

Thank you!

[Deena@ClearAdmit]

Hi Rsk02003 and thanks for your post!

You're asking a great question and it's smart to be thinking about this issue.

I usually recommend creating an alternate transcript when either your GMAT is not reflective of your quantitative strengths or when you've had some grades that you also don't think reflect your true academic capabilities. In your case, however, I'd want to know what sort of grades you imagine are detrimental, as well as what you think your GMAT will reflect. However, in terms of the specific questions you've asked, it's absolutely fine to take any of the classes you've mentioned to show your quantitative abilities.

It's more important to receive a high grade in one class, re: an 'A', than to demonstrate that you've taken more than one, so you should balance how many classes you think you can take and still achieve a high grade. Also, you can take the class either online at a reputable program, such as the one you've sugggested, or a local college, etc.
What's most important is that you do well in the class!

Feel free to email us at [email protected] for a more detailed, free initial assessment of your profile.

Best,

Deena

Deena Maerowitz
Clear Admit, LLC


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[rsk02003]

Hi Deena,

I appreciate your feedback and will keep your suggestions in mind.

While I have not yet taken my GMAT, I anticipate a score hovering somewhere around the 700 mark - at least, that is my goal. As I mentioned in my previous post, my prior science coursework - with which I struggled a fair amount - has brought down my overall GPA. Additionally, I studied abroad one semester and had Financial Accounting and Microeconomics unaccounted for due to conflicts with transferring credits. They appear on my transcript today, but only as pass/fail courses towards my degree. I would like to take these courses over to show that the pass marks I received weren't flukes and that I am still capable of performing in an academic environment.