How to Improve Your Transcript for MBA Admissions Success

Business school admissions committees look at your transcript and GPA to assess whether or not you will be successful in their MBA program. That's why it's important to evaluate your overall academic record. While you can't change your undergraduate transcript, developing an MBA alternative transcript may improve your chances of being admitted.

An MBA alternative transcript gives you a chance to make up for weak academic performance or lack of management coursework. In order to create an MBA alternative transcript, you need to take additional classes. Completing additional coursework is your chance to show the business school admissions committee that your undergraduate grades are an accurate reflection of your true ability. It also demonstrates your commitment to getting an MBA degree. But, how do you know whether or not you need an MBA alternative transcript?

If you don't have a copy of your undergraduate transcript, your first step is to call your college and request one. When you evaluate your transcript, you need to assess everything -- not just your GPA. A bad grade may tarnish an otherwise perfect report card, in the eyes of the business school admissions committee.

If you have found aspects of your transcript that may negatively influence the admissions committee, you need to decide whether your admissions chances can be improved by taking extra classes. If you can show that you have improved in a certain subject area, an MBA alternate transcript may not be necessary. A great quantitative GMAT score or quantitative work experience may compensate for a bad grade in a math course, for example. If you have an average GMAT score and never did well in quantitative coursework, an alternative transcript may improve your MBA application.

Once have decided that you need an MBA alternative transcript you need to choose what classes to take. Find out what classes are offered by local colleges or high quality online programs. In deciding what classes to take, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the class difficult enough? A good grade in an introductory math course probably isn't enough to prove that your quantitative skills have gotten better since your undergraduate days. A good grade in a more difficult class, however, may show that you have what it takes to tackle graduate level quantitative work.

• Is the class offered by a credible school? The admissions committee will look at the reputation of the college as well as the instructor.

• What else does the class have to offer me beyond being an alternative transcript item? Since you will be investing time and money into this class, you should make sure that what you learn will help you at your job or during your MBA program.

Make sure that you spend time studying and doing your coursework. A course will only be a good addition to your alternative transcript if you can show that you did well in it. A good grade will show the business school admissions committee that you can master course material, and can perform well academically.