GMAT

Many applicants have a selective memory when it comes to their transcript.  They remember the 3.8 in their psychology major but have somehow blocked out the C in Calculus and the overall 2.7.  Your transcript is what it is, and it will not change, no matter how many classes you take after the fact.  However, if you have low grades, there are things you can do to somewhat offset the damage.  The following are some potential transcript issues that can be tackled head on with a bit of advance planning:

• Low Overall GPA – A low overall GPA may raise a red flag for an admissions committee.  They are seeking individuals with a track record of excellence, who prioritize academics and achievement, and who have the ability to excel academically.  By taking a few classes now, you can offset some of their concerns.  While straight A’s in post-undergraduate courses will not erase your original transcript, you can demonstrate that you have the ability to excel academically, that you have identified a weakness and are making an effort to rectify it, that you are committed to learning, and that you can balance multiple commitments successfully.  All of this can help mitigate the damage done by poor undergraduate performance.

• Low grades in business or quantitative classes – Even if your overall GPA is high, if the two classes that you bombed were Calculus and Statistics, this could cause concerns about your ability to excel in a rigorous business school curriculum.  For some of the same reasons detailed above, taking relevant classes now will help to put the admissions committee at ease.

• No business or quantitative courses on the transcript – If you are currently in a business role that does not require fluency with business or numbers, and you do not have any of these types of courses on your transcript, you might consider taking a class now. This will demonstrate an awareness of your deficiencies and help to provide a level of comfort around your abilities.

Finally, if you do plan to take some extra classes, some suggested courses to take are Calculus, Statistics, and Accounting.  These basics will set the groundwork for a typical MBA curriculum.

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Founded in 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world.  The Stacy Blackman team, comprised of MBA graduates, former admissions officers and expert writers, editors and marketers, helps clients develop and implement a winning marketing strategy.  Stacy Blackman clients have a significantly increased probability of admission to top schools and are frequent recipients of merit scholarships.  The company is regularly featured in publications such as BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist.   Visit the Stacy Blackman blog for daily news updates and admissions tips, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school by school guidance.

Business schools pride themselves on training future leaders, not just educating a bunch of people who know how to calculate an IRR and overuse the word “leverage.”  They look out for individuals who are concerned about doing great work and improving the world around them.  Some young business people feel that even though they have not prioritized “extracurricular” activities early in their careers, they will definitely emphasize these sorts of activities once they are more established.  However, more often than not, the patterns we establish towards community activities early in our careers remain fairly steady.  If you feel that your commitment over the last several years to outside causes does not reflect the balance you want to establish in your life…well, put your money where your mouth is and get involved.

Leverage your interests

Why are extracurricular activities important to begin with?

• They show that an individual is multi-dimensional.  They demonstrate interests, passions, and personality.
• Being involved outside of work shows that you can balance multiple commitments.
• They can show that you have a larger view of the world – that you see what is happening outside of your office and you are interested in being involved and contributing in some way.
• They make you a more interesting person – someone that can contribute to the diversity and vitality of a class and alumni network.
• It’s an opportunity to demonstrate qualities such as creativity, leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and initiative.

If you haven’t been participating in outside activities, look up a few opportunities on the internet and get involved next weekend.  It’s really as simple as that, to be honest.  Candidates who get involved even early in the year they apply will have a six- or even nine-month track record by the time apps are due.  Or, if you have been involved with outside activities over the last couple of years, consider stepping your activities up a notch.

When thinking about ways to become more involved, don’t get hung up on traditional volunteer work.  There are many, many ways to become involved and highlight your unique contributions.  A good place to start is with your own interests and passions.  Think hard about what excites you, and how you can leverage those interests.

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Founded in 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world.  The Stacy Blackman team, comprised of MBA graduates, former admissions officers and expert writers, editors and marketers, helps clients develop and implement a winning marketing strategy.  Stacy Blackman clients have a significantly increased probability of admission to top schools and are frequent recipients of merit scholarships.  The company is regularly featured in publications such as BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist.   Visit the Stacy Blackman blog for daily news updates and admissions tips, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school by school guidance.

Jack Kerouac kept a notebook before he went On the Road.  Larry David’s notebook of wry observations and embryonic comedy routines was lost and then found on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”  Now, your notebook should play a big part of your business school admissions process.  This is as simple as carrying around a notebook during the spring and summer months to scratch down your thoughts about your applications.  Some of these might be random ideas that come to you while you’re working at your desk, sitting on a plane, or braving the morning commute.  But you should also plan to spend, say, half an hour of scheduled quality time per week with your notebook for a couple of months.

If you are starting to think about applications before most essay questions have been published, know that most of the themes are universal from year to year and should not come as a surprise to applicants.  Take time to write down your preliminary ideas relating to:

• Your main career accomplishments to date
• Examples of your leadership abilities
• Outside interests, passions, and main achievements in your “extracurricular” life
• People and events that have influenced you
• Your career goals after business school…and your broader life goals
• Areas in which you need improvement or personal development
• How business school will benefit you

Don’t settle for writing down your general thoughts.  Be specific.  As a matter of fact, be incredibly specific.  I encourage my clients to employ what I call “micro-examples” to bring their essays to life.  That means finding those discrete moments that encapsulate major experiences in your life.  Your notes will be an incredibly valuable resource, whether you’re tackling the admissions process by yourself or working with an applications advisor.

Some other things to scratch on your pad:

• Your thoughts on what schools are right for you
• Who will your best recommenders be – and what do you want them to say?
• Comments from your friends and family, and colleagues if appropriate

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Founded in 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world.  The Stacy Blackman team, comprised of MBA graduates, former admissions officers and expert writers, editors and marketers, helps clients develop and implement a winning marketing strategy.  Stacy Blackman clients have a significantly increased probability of admission to top schools and are frequent recipients of merit scholarships.  The company is regularly featured in publications such as BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist.   Visit the Stacy Blackman blog for daily news updates and admissions tips, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school by school guidance.