MBA Admission interviews starts with “tell me about yourself”, and ventures into academics, work experience, goals and your future contribution in an ad-hoc or a sequential manner, depending on the interviewer’s style of conversation. Business Schools ask Original transcripts for a reason – measure your ability to complete an MBA program successfully. Your answer to questions regarding academics depends on three scenarios.
Low Grades in Major
If you have scored poorly – anything less than B- , in one of the subjects in your major, you need a strong explanation. Most applicants cite personal or extra-curricular activities for the lack of focus. You have to back it up with evidence. If you have not included details of extra-curricular activities in either your resume or your essays for the same period, blaming extra-curricular for your low grades would not be tenable.
Unless personal reasons were health related, it would be unwise to cite any personal reasons as an example.
The deathblow to your chances for MBA admissions is when you cite lack of interest as the reason. Applicants might think that being forthright might impress the AdCom, but MBA program has several courses that are dry, and involve rote learning. There is nothing interesting about Irrelevant Finance Models used in ancient ages, but you still have to learn and compare it with practical models. There are several topics that don’t even deserve 30 minutes of your attention, but still you have to read them as part of the class assignment.
Low Grades in Electives
AdCom’s are more tolerant towards low grades in Electives but again you should have a valid explanation. Realization that you picked the wrong elective is a common excuse given by candidates, and it might be entertained if you provide ....
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