Here’s the deal:
I entered undergrad as I devout pre-med and royally screwed up my GPA. I got a C+ in physical chem, a D in Organic Chem (but then retook is and got a B+), a C in a bio class, and a D in another. . . I was struggling to get on a pre-med track — its not that I didnt have the aptitude, but I lacked the passion and it showed. So, to recap, the blemishes on my transcript are as follows: 2 C’s, 1 D, I repeat notification, and 1 B + in science courses.
My sophomore year, I changed my major to an interdisciplinary liberal arts field and am really interested in obtaining an MBA (my school doesnt offer an undergrad business program). Ever since I have switched my major, my GPA totally increased — not because it was easier, but because I am genuinely interested in the material. I am also taking a few business related courses to prepare myself, and am doing equally well (calculus, statistics, economics, introductory accounting, organizational theory).
Now, my GPA is a 3. 4 and by the time I graduate, I am confident it will be at least a 3. 6, but aiming for no less than 3. 75.
Question is how will business schools interpret my poor grades in the science classes that I took earlier? Is it better to retake those courses and earn higher grade?
I got an 1840 on the SAT’s.
The top-tier schools are extremely difficult to get into, so you would really need to have a better GPA to get in. However, it may not be worthwhile retaking classes, for a couple of reasons. First of all, several retaken classes will show up on your transcript, and that may not be seen as being much better than doing poorly in the first place. Secondly, I’m not sure I would even bother unless I knew that I would end up with an extremely high GMAT score. I would hate to see you retake the courses, and then not have a shot at it anyway, because of your test scores. How did you do on your SATs? If your scores were very high, then it may be worthwhile retaking the classes. If not, you just may not be heading toward a top-tier school. There are plenty of business schools out there, and it may be unrealistic to aim for something which doesn’t match your past performance.
A GPA of 3. 75 is not bad. Your GMAT score will be a big factor. Also, top tier schools will look closely at your work record after graduation, and will want to see a record of progressive and promising assignments. These will swamp consideration of your poor freshman record.
In short, don’t worry. If you are really meant for a top tier MBA school, you will do very well in your GMAT and you will have a remarkable job record for the 2-5 years after graduation.
Incidentally, the MBA may not be the best “Business” degree for you. If you are in Manufacturing or R&D, the MSIT in Industrial Management is probably better.