Undergraduate course selection Forum

[mastermonkey45]

I was wondering whether selecting certain courses instead of others, when the opportunity arises, can make me a less competitive applicant. For example, as an economics BBA student, I have the choice of taking Stats 2 and Calculus 2 or electives for both or either. If I took an interesting elective instead of calculus 2, and having my highest level math be calculus 1 (hopefully with an A or A-) reflect poorly?

[The Lsat Airbender]

I was wondering whether selecting certain courses instead of others, when the opportunity arises, can make me a less competitive applicant. For example, as an economics BBA student, I have the choice of taking Stats 2 and Calculus 2 or electives for both or either. If I took an interesting elective instead of calculus 2, and having my highest level math be calculus 1 (hopefully with an A or A-) reflect poorly?

It would only reflect poorly for opportunities that demand the higher math proficiency. So not law school.

[FND]

take the class where you're likely to get better grades.

A 4.0 in basket weaving beats a 3.9 in Trigonometry

Alternatively, take classes that qualify you for patent bar; that's always in high demand

[dvlthndr]

Alternatively, take classes that qualify you for patent bar

This is not realistic for the vast majority of non-STEM majors. Requirements are here: https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/fil ... ED_GRB.pdf. The short version is you would need several full semesters worth of physics, chemistry, or similar hard sciences.

[metallergy]

I don't think it would reflect poorly. Plenty of students are admitted to top schools with electives that are far less rigorous than anything in the calculus series. I did hear an admissions dean at a panel say that he doesn't like seeing a transcript full of "101" classes, but that's not the case here. (Plus, even if you did take a bunch of 101 classes, if you pulled off a 3.9+ it wouldn't even matter.)

[mastermonkey45]

I don't think it would reflect poorly. Plenty of students are admitted to top schools with electives that are far less rigorous than anything in the calculus series. I did hear an admissions dean at a panel say that he doesn't like seeing a transcript full of "101" classes, but that's not the case here. (Plus, even if you did take a bunch of 101 classes, if you pulled off a 3.9+ it wouldn't even matter.)

Thanks. I tend to agree after reflecting on all the info that y'all have provided. I'm looking to take a course at the LSE as part of their summer program so hopefully that will help too.