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[alicial918]

Do grad schools normally invite you to take a particular class in thier rejection letter?
I applied to BU and received a rejection letter but in it was a particular class that was suggested that I take. The letter also stated that upon completion with a B+ or better in the class my application would be reevaluated. Is this normal? And what does it mean?

[kedves]

It means that you should take the course immediately and try very hard to do well in it.  When you present them with proof of your B+ or better, they will take another look at your application.  Apparently, they think you would be a better bet as a student if you had proof of competence in the area of this course.  They aren't promising to admit you, only to reconsider. 

P.S.  This forum is described with this topical focus:  What reforms would better prepare students for college?
The forum you want for grad-school-related issues is called Grad School Life.

[conjugate]

P. S.  This forum is described with this topical focus:  What reforms would better prepare students for college?
The forum you want for grad-school-related issues is called Grad School Life.

For some reason, this portion of Kedves's post did not appear on my screen.  I don't know why.

I quote it here in case others did not see it also.

Added on edit:  That's very strange.  I saw only the first paragraph of Kedves's post, went to reply, saw the second paragraph, hit the Back button, saw only the first paragraph (and no scroll bar), and now that I've reposted I can see the second paragraph of Kedves's post just fine.  I wonder what happened?

On second edit:  Aha!  Kedves added the PS while I was composing my reply, which I've now forgotten!

[sciencephd]

Is this the only school that you applied to ?

[helpful]

What was the general theme or topic of the course they wanted you to take? Composition? Stats?

[dellaroux]

There can be several reasons:

1) If English is not your first language, you may be in need of remedial work and this course is that school's way of suggesting that (Note: you may also want to rethink whether or not to identify particular schools on this forum. Some amount of anonymity is in your best interests here as well.)

2) If math, stats or other scores were low-ish but they liked your application otherwise, the course may be a pre-requisite by which they want to screen you for later entry.

3) Everyone wants to make a buck these days and hinting at later admission if you take a loss-leader gamble might just be the latest game in that series. (Mostly just kidding, of course).

In any case, look up the course in their catalogue, then call the department and ask them to explain what they have in mind.

You have to do the follow-up to find out the answers in many places. Schools are not always the best administrators of information.

Good luck.

[galactic_hedgehog]

Didn't learn English very well, either.

[scampster]

Didn't learn English very well, either.

But he/she knows where we can get dog fences AND Nile cruises. How is that for diversification?

[polly_mer]

Didn't learn English very well, either.

But he/she knows where we can get dog fences AND Nile cruises. How is that for diversification?

Perhaps the poster should have applied for a more interdisciplinary program.  I, for one, do not wish my dog to fall overboard during the cruise.