3.8 GPA, but I got a D in Calculus. What can I do?

<p>My cumulative is a 3.8, but in my Sophomore year I got a D in Calc. Am I still a competitive applicant for top MBA programs?</p>

<p>Either retake the class or show mastery of the subject by taking another math class and doing well to prove that you have satisfactory knowledge of the field. </p>

<p>Testing well on the Quantitative section of the GMAT will also do well to prove you have sufficient analytical skills.</p>

<p>I do not think it’s going to be huge huddle unless your Quant score is low as well. If that’s the case, you should try to take some quant classes in community college and use the optional essay to address the issue.
It also depend on the school and the field you want to go into. If you are applying for finance heavy school and go into IB, it may be more of a problem, than if you are applying to a management heavy school.</p>

<p>My top 3 are Stanford, Wharton and HBS.</p>

<p>If you do well on your quant section, it won’t matter. </p>

<p>Liu, what schools do you see as “management heavy” v. “finance heavy?”</p>

<p>IMO, finance schools are Booth, Stern, Columbia
whereas Stanford and Harvard would be management focused.</p>

<p>A 3.8 where and what’s your GMAT score and job prospects?</p>

<p>I go to NYU (how much does undergrad school affect decision?). I got a 710 on the GMAT, might take it over… not sure. I’ve sent out my resume to various places but no offers yet.</p>

<p>3.8 + 710 + No WE = very slim chance at H/S/W unless you are a superstar with EC in undergrad.</p>

<p>It doesn’t matter what your GPA and GMAT score is, no WE and w/o superstar EC, will get you dinged.</p>

<p>I recommend working a 2-3 years before applying for b-school. Or apply for l-school.</p>

<p>I could be wrong, but I was under the impression he was talking about applying in the future after a few years of working, not directly out of undergrad.</p>

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I was too, but then he said he actually did have a GMAT score. Do people just take the GMAT for kicks?</p>

<p>To repeat what liu said: no work experience, no admission. I’ve seen similar GPAs (in engineering, no less) + similar GMAT get denied across the board from most of of the top 20.</p>

<p>Isn’t it fairly common for students to take the GMAT senior year so they don’t have to worry about it in 2-3 years? </p>

<p>Also, he said he was applying for jobs:</p>

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<p>What are you waiting for, retake the class and get an A.</p>

<p>And yes your suppose to the gmat right after school because you are more experience taking tests. I believe you would be a competitive candidate if you had ~5 years work experience and a rigorous class load and major. I think trying to get a higher gmat would be a considerable waste of time and money.</p>