How do post-undergrad classes taken as a non-degree student count on your application?

[ectekken]

I'm interested in knowing how grad schools factor in graduate level classes you take after you've already completed an undergrad, but as a non-matriculated / non-degree student? For example, do they factor into my overall undergrad GPA? Or do they have an entirely separate graduate GPA?

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Edited March 4, 2011 by ectekken

[anxious2011]

Most applications I completed had sections to enter information on 3 or 4 institutions you may have attended. Some of them have an option where you can indicate that it was non-degree work, or there might be a space for comments or notes where you can mention this.

In terms of a GPA, I listed the GPA from my one additional course separately as my GPA for that particular institution. I did not include it in my GPA however.

Hope that helps.

[ectekken]

Most applications I completed had sections to enter information on 3 or 4 institutions you may have attended. Some of them have an option where you can indicate that it was non-degree work, or there might be a space for comments or notes where you can mention this.

In terms of a GPA, I listed the GPA from my one additional course separately as my GPA for that particular institution. I did not include it in my GPA however.

Hope that helps.

Hey thanks that was pretty helpful.

Any more tips or suggestions would also be welcome.

[ZeChocMoose]

I would be surprised if they factored those classes into your undergraduate GPA especially if it was an institution different than your alma mater. In the education section on the application, usually you can select that you were a non-degree seeking student. I assume those classes may be helpful if they are related to your field of study. I took a couple non-degree seeking classes, but I doubt it made a difference either way.

Edited March 5, 2011 by ZeChocMoose

[ectekken]

I would be surprised if they factored those classes into your undergraduate GPA especially if it was an institution different than your alma mater. In the education section on the application, usually you can select that you were a non-degree seeking student. I assume those classes may be helpful if they are related to your field of study. I took a couple non-degree seeking classes, but I doubt it made a difference either way.

Thanks for your response. That was helpful as well.

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Now that I understand the technicalities, I'm curious to know people's thoughts on how effective taking graduate classes as a non-degree student can be to your application? I know that most people probably take them to fulfill pre-requisites, but can they be used to strengthen your application and make up for any shortcomings that a candidate may have?

Edited March 5, 2011 by ectekken

[michpc]

Agreed with the previous poster. Separate GPAs, and if they are relevant to your field of interest, I think they can be extremely helpful. I had a fairly low undergrad GPA and my work experience was in a field totally unrelated to either undergrad or what I want to do. However, I took courses in my intended field while working and did really well in them. I've done much better than I could have ever expected on acceptances, and I can't help but think that being able to list those courses/grades on my applications was a great help.