online courses to mitigate low GPA?

[MBAhopeful]

Hello - I took the MGMAT class about two years ago, and received a 730 on my GMAT. Thanks for all of the great work done by MGMAT!

I have a low GPA that I need to overcome, and was wondering if taking 1-2 online courses could help. I am targeting HBS, Stanford, Columbia, Yale, Sloan, Berkley, Michigan, Kellogg.

My background so that you can evaluate:
UVa 2006 - economics, GPA 3.2
730 GMAT
- 5 years work experience in NYC with a financial software company; two promotions, helped launch a new group
- Relocated to India for a one year fellowship in social enterprise, where I acted as COO of a start-up social enterprise
- Remained in India where I am now a portfolio manager for a small impact investment fund
- Am at the very early stages of considering starting an enterprise in India

Considering the schools I am targeting, is it worthwhile for me to take an online course to help boost my low GPA? I am extremely committed to my work here, so I would like a course that would help with my understanding of the international development space (as opposed to something like accounting, finance, etc which I already know and would have to take in school). Would this type of course look favorable to b schools, or would they only be interested in something math intensive, such as accounting, finance, etc.

Finally - can you recommend any schools that offer online courses that would look favorable to the top business schools? Harvard has a Degree in Management (outside of the traditional MBA), was thinking of choosing from that online course offering. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

[mili]

Hello,

Impressive background! Best of luck with your work in India.

Generally speaking, if you're trying to offset a low GPA, quantitative courses are recommended (accounting, finance, stats, etc). Furthermore, online courses are not looked as favorably upon as in person courses... though in your case, given that you are in India, you might be able to get away with it. I don't really have recommendations for online courses, unfortunately - sorry not to be more helpful there!

Here's my question on your GPA: what caused the 3.2? You might not need to take courses if you can narrow down where you did poorly and just write an optional statement. You're right at the cusp of what I'd consider low vs average... let me know if your transcripts tell a story (e.g., I consistently scored low in all my econ classes, or, I got one D in a language class.... these are two very different stories showing two very different things.)

Best,
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
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[MBAhopeful]

Thanks Mili! That is helpful. I feel that all other aspects of my application are strong, unfortunately have this low GPA hanging over my head. I actually did a double major in economics and music - music GPA was quite strong, economics was weak, which hurts my case even more. Throughout college, I wanted to pursue a career in the music industry, so spent a lot of time as chair of a university committee that contracted with artists to bring concerts to the school (was fantastic business experience, but in hindsight should have focused more on my grades). Was thinking of discussing this in my optional essay?

Thoughts as to how best to overcome the GPA issue (or is it even possible?) Probably would have to go for an online course, as I travel most weeks for work. Do you think I'd be out of the running for a Stanford or HBS?

[mili]

I don't think you're out of the running necessarily - I'd still apply and see what happens.

Go ahead and take online courses. Other than that, have your recommenders highlight your analytic skills. Also point to your GMAT and other proof points in your optional statement (along with your time commitments/lack of focus on academics during college). Be sure to take full responsibility and keep it short and sweet.

Good luck!
Mili