Would it help to take an Accounting course?

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dartmouth06: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 5; Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:41 am; Location: Chicago, IL

by dartmouth06 » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:45 am

Hi,

I graduated from a Liberal Arts college that did not offer any Accounting courses. I plan to apply to Business school soon and I was wondering if it would be beneficial to take an undergraduate Accounting course? Would I be at a disadvantage when I apply if I do not have the Accouting background?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant | Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:45 am

Jay Allen: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 69; Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:04 pm; Location: Colorado; Thanked: 8 times; GMAT Score:760

by Jay Allen » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:57 am

Thanks for the post,

It would certainly help but is by no means required. Business schools are looking for students from diverse backgrounds that have a strong interest in business. It's perfectly fine to not have that business experience, as long as you demonstrate interest and strong quantitative ability.

The biggest reason to take the course is if you have not demonstrated quantitative abilities anywhere in your application. Taking a course ad hoc and getting a high grade can mitigate a low quant GMAT score or missing quant classes.

I hope that helps,

Jay

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dartmouth06: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 5; Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:41 am; Location: Chicago, IL

by dartmouth06 » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:11 am

Hi Jay,

Thank you for your speedy response, I appreciate it! I am currently a Financial Analyst and I was an Econ major in college (have taken a couple of quant courses such as Economic Statistics, Corporate Finance), would that be sufficient quantitative experience? I did receive a C in the only Calculus course that I took in college, so to balance out that grade would it still be helpful to take the Accounting course? Thanks again for your help!!

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Jay Allen: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 69; Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:04 pm; Location: Colorado; Thanked: 8 times; GMAT Score:760

by Jay Allen » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:48 am

I wouldn't bother with the accounting course in that case. It seems clear you have demonstrated quantitative aptitude. Make sure your quant GMAT is above the 80 percentile mark and you'll get an easy check-off for this part of your application. Invest that time you would have on the accounting course in participating in community leadership activities that can help fill out the other equally important aspects of your application.

Let me know if I can be of help in any way.

Go Big Green!

Jay

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dartmouth06: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 5; Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:41 am; Location: Chicago, IL

by dartmouth06 » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:56 am

Hi Jay,

Last question, I promise! So sorry to bother you but I wanted to ask you if I had decided to take the course (for personal interest, career advancement, etc.) and did not receive an A, would it almost work against me in my Business School application than if I hadn't taken it at all? Thanks again, I apologize for my many questions!

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Jay Allen: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 69; Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:04 pm; Location: Colorado; Thanked: 8 times; GMAT Score:760

by Jay Allen » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:06 am

First of all--no problem with the questions! I do this because I've made my career helping people like you get into great schools and achieve your dreams. The two best ways to get people to sign up for our service is through referrals from wonderful past clients and from offering free advice as a way of proving our expertise. Please keep the questions coming...and when you're ready to really dig in on your applications, give me a call.

The answer is yes--you do need to get the 'A'. Considering that any accounting course you take will not be nearly as a rigorous as a top tier MBA accounting course, you need to prove that you can do well on something that is not as hard. Most 3 month outside courses will only take you through the first 2-3 weeks of a fast paced MBA course. If you are committed to doing the course, pick a course that you'll know you'll do well in because there's not much difference between getting an A at a community college and getting an A anywhere else in terms of strategic differentiation in your application.

Best,

Jay

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dartmouth06: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 5; Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:41 am; Location: Chicago, IL

by dartmouth06 » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:48 pm

Hi Jay,

Thanks again for all of your help on this. Just to confirm, if I take a course does the Business School I apply to automatically have access to my records and know that I took an Accounting course? If I take the course and receive say a "B", couldn't I just not submit that transcript with my application?

Thanks again!

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Jay Allen: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 69; Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:04 pm; Location: Colorado; Thanked: 8 times; GMAT Score:760

by Jay Allen » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:49 pm

The business school will not have access to any information that you do not provide directly to them. Both by convention and by law--you have control over your own information.

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