Decision time: BABA/Leadership vs BLS/Management

[Kjnova]

Even though I applied for graduation in July, I don't think they will actually start processing graduations until after the session ends in a month.

I am not sure what to do with my time now that I'm suddenly almost finished! I am just waiting for my last draft feedback to do my last FA refinement, and I'm done.

I thought about picking up a project management certificate, but I already have a lot of certificates in that area. I also thought about taking the three classes I would need for an Accounting minor, but that's not a natural strength of mine, and I could see that turning into a major headache with possibly lower grades.

I think I will start putting my time into preparing for the PMP exam.

[ss20ts]

Graduation applications won't be touched until after grades are posted. Grades are due 1 week after the term ends.

You have completed courses. Look in Brightspace. They're completed. They're just not graded and won't be until the term ends.

[Kjnova]

Yes, they are done in most senses. I have no further work to do for them, and I couldn't do anything else on them anyway even if I tried. What I mean is that I have no officlal GPA and all courses are marked as "in progress" vs done. I think in some sense, they aren't done until the grades are final, since the grade could theoretically change between now and then. But yes, for practical purposes, they are done, and they are done in brightspace.

My FA grades and what I think they will translate into (I am ignoring A+ since it is discretionary, and I only really care about the points anyway):

4 - A
4 - A
3.9 - A
4 - A
4 - A
3.85 - A
4 - A
3.99 - A
4 - A
3.75 - A-
3.95 - A

I think that is like 3.9727 for now. I have three outstanding FAs that aren't graded yet. If I crash and burn on those three, I could end up at magna, but I am fairly confident I'll get summa.

The waiting is the hard part! I am watching the pot waiting for it to boil up those last three grades 

[ss20ts]

I wouldn't put this much energy or thought into the numeric scores. The professors have leeway when it comes to the grades. I know what the document says but then there's reality.

[LevelUP]

Quick update, it is Tuesday of Week 5 of my first and only session for BABA. I applied for graduation today. The earliest you can do this is when you have at least started all of your required major and minor classes. The reason I did it today is that today is when my academic advisor was able to get one of my transfer credits updated so it counted against a History minor requirement. That plus the classes I have taken or was taking at the time accounted for all of the requirements for BABA/Management, and History minor, in my case with my transfer credits. That is 12 BUS classes and two 300+ HTY classes, 14 in all.

Of course, I have technically completed zero classes,  until the term ends, but in practical terms, I have completed 12, plus one draft I am improving based on feedback, and one draft awaiting feedback. Once those two are complete, I am done.

I hope to make summa, and I think I will, unless something goes really wrong with these last two classes.

Great to hear everything worked out for you.

Congratulations on making summa.

[Kjnova]

Thanks - it's not over until it's over, but hopefully will be able to wrap this up very soon!

[Kjnova]

Quick update on my progress, for anybody now or in the future tracking or on a similar path.

I received my last draft feedback today, a 3.8 on BUS 321. The feedback suggested adding additional examples. I added more examples and uploaded it as the final about an hour ago. I am finished with all academic work on my BABA/Management & Leadership and History minor. Now I wait for things to become official.

Unofficially, counting this last draft grade, I should have As and A+s on everything with one exception that should be an A-. Of course, this isn't in the books yet, but that is how it appears from FA grades. If true, that would project out to a 3.978 GPA, which of course is summa. I only plan to list summa on resume and LinkedIn, not precise GPA. I took 11 Business classes, 1 Math class, and 2 History classes, 14 classes in all, during Summer II at UMPI.

I have applied to the Illinois (UIUC) iMSM program and am also looking into the Georgia Tech Master of Science in Analytics program.

I am extremely happy I found info on UMPI, which if I recall correctly was via this board, so thanks to everybody who played a role in both the program and in the information about the program being where I could find it. I am also glad I took a chance and did BABA instead of what I thought might be a faster path but not as relevant for my career. I was worried about time, but I had plenty of time. I had very little to do last week and now I am done with nearly three weeks remaining. Also thanks for all advice, suggestions and encouragement along the way.

Given this thread's title and original questions vs where I am now, this will be my last or maybe next to last update here (I might update again when it becomes official), while putting my continuing thoughts elsewhere as appropriate, but I am happy to answer any questions here, via PM, or in other threads. I hope my story encourages somebody else. Thanks again!

[LevelUP]

Quick update on my progress, for anybody now or in the future tracking or on a similar path.

I received my last draft feedback today, a 3.8 on BUS 321. The feedback suggested adding additional examples. I added more examples and uploaded it as the final about an hour ago. I am finished with all academic work on my BABA/Management & Leadership and History minor. Now I wait for things to become official.

So, on the draft feedback, do they give you an estimated grade?  Have you ever received a lower than the estimated grade after you turned in the final revised paper?

[Kjnova]

The estimated grade is 3.8. The chart we received at orientation says that this will translate to an A. And for GPA purposes, an A is 4.0. I improved it before turning it in because why not, maybe I can get an A+, though A and A+ are the same for GPA purposes. Also margin for error.

I have not received a lower final grade than I got on the draft, although I did get the same final grade as draft in one case despite making changes based on draft feedback, which is a longer story (this is the A-).

[Kjnova]

And, all classes are now graded! In 14 classes this term, I received 8 A and 6 A+. So, I have a 4.0 and now I await degree conferral. This is probably my last post in this thread unless anybody has a question for me. I hope the discussion helps somebody now or in the future. Thanks, everybody!