How to deal with NO GPA?

[Alpha800]

Hello Stacy Blackman Consulting,

I have a question regarding narrative evaluations. I'm not sure if there are colleges/universities in the US which only offer narrative evaluations anymore, but prior to 1997, UC Santa Cruz only offered narrative evaluations. They did NOT offer grades for any classes period.

Students Who Entered UCSC Before Fall 1997:
You cannot have an official UCSC GPA, regardless of how many courses you have taken for a letter grade.
No GPA appears on your transcript. However you must still maintain a minimum requirement of 2.0 in your
UC GPA (immediately below).

My question is how will candidates from such schools like UC Santa Cruz be handled? Will the various B-Schools simply disregard applicants without a GPA? Our transcript is filled with narrative evaluations for each course, but there's NO single GPA score at the end of it.

Since 2001, UCSC has offered grades for all their classes, but what about the students who entered before 1997? I'm curious as I fall into that group.

Thanks!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Alpha800,

This "narrative evaluation" system does put you in an awkward position now that you are applying to business school. It is important for you to offer an explanation in the optional essay or additional information section of the application. While the schools will see the note on your transcript, I think it would be in your best interest to also provide an explanation.

I am curious about part of the quote below: "However you must still maintain a minimum requirement of 2.0 in your UC GPA (immediately below)." What is your UC GPA? Does this mean you do have some sort of number? If so, then you will want to include that and discuss what it means, if anything, in your explanation.

Since you do not have a GPA, then your GMAT becomes more important as it is the only way to measure your academic aptitude. Likewise, if you have taken any courses for credit since college, you will want to submit those transcripts as evidence of your classroom ability.

The last thing you can do, which might be beneficial, is to talk with an admissions professional at each of your target schools regarding the situation. That way you can provide any other information they want at the time of your application as opposed to being wait listed or rejected because the admissions committee has unanswered questions regarding your transcript.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[Alpha800]

Dear Alpha800,

This "narrative evaluation" system does put you in an awkward position now that you are applying to business school. It is important for you to offer an explanation in the optional essay or additional information section of the application. While the schools will see the note on your transcript, I think it would be in your best interest to also provide an explanation.

Thank you Lisa for your prompt reply. It's much appreciated.

So let me confirm, most B-schools will not categorically reject applications due to this lack of formal GPA. They will at least take a look, especially if I have a decent GMAT score--say 680+?

I am curious about part of the quote below: "However you must still maintain a minimum requirement of 2.0 in your UC GPA (immediately below)." What is your UC GPA? Does this mean you do have some sort of number? If so, then you will want to include that and discuss what it means, if anything, in your explanation.

I'm not an authority on this Lisa, and I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong, but I believe the UC GPA refers to the part of the GPA from another UC institution. If for example, one went to UC Santa Barbara for half a year before transferring over to US Santa Cruz, there will be a GPA associated with the coursework done at UCSB. Likewise if one went home to LA and took a summer class at UCLA, one would have a letter grade for that class. It would have been calculated into one's UC (wide) GPA. Thus, there will be a UC (wide) GPA on one's transcript for transfer students and courses transferred in from other UC Campuses. That 2.0 min standard basically required that students with grades from institutions which didn't have the eval system to have obtained at least a 2.0 GPA to remain enrolled at UCSC.

Since you do not have a GPA, then your GMAT becomes more important as it is the only way to measure your academic aptitude. Likewise, if you have taken any courses for credit since college, you will want to submit those transcripts as evidence of your classroom ability.

Yes, I hear what you're saying. As long as the various b-schools will take a look at my application, then I'm content. My GMAT score will of course determine to what schools I'll have a chance to apply. I'm targeting a score of 720 or higher for the top schools. If I end up with 650 or lower then I'll apply to a local, lesser known B school.

The last thing you can do, which might be beneficial, is to talk with an admissions professional at each of your target schools regarding the situation. That way you can provide any other information they want at the time of your application as opposed to being wait listed or rejected because the admissions committee has unanswered questions regarding your transcript.

Best of luck,
Lisa

Certainly. I will be in contact with the various schools I eventually apply to, but I wanted to initially get a feel for whether it's possible or not to apply to the top rated B-schools without a formal GPA. I intend to have a GMAT score of 700 at least if I do apply. Otherwise I wasn't even going to attempt it.

I know my GMAT score is critical in my situation. I'm starting my full-time self prep this week. For the next four months, I'll be prepping for a score of 700+ full time. I've thoroughly perused this forum along with another GMAT forum and have obtained a good understanding of just what will be needed to achieve a score of 700 or more on the GMAT.

Thanks again for your feedback. I appreciate them. If you have any follow-up comments, I'd appreciate them as well.

Alpha800