700 gmat, low GPA ?

Tim7332 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject: 700 gmat, low GPA ?

I scored a 700 on my first attempt today. Quant - 47 (79%)/Verbal - 40 (89%), overall 90%

I've been scoring between 720 and 740 on practice exams so I think realistically I could bump this score by 20 to 40 points, but I'm not sure if it's worth it, or if an admissions person will look at a 720 and 700 as being about the same.

I'm applying to the following schools:

UPenn
USC part time
UCLA
Northwestern JD/MBA
Harvard

Given that my undergrad GPA was low at 2.7 is this score high enough to give me a chance at any of these schools?

Do you recommend retaking the exam or settling for the good but not great score of 700?

I'm 28 years old and a white male with 6 years of work experience with nothing remarkable to point to on my resume. I really want to go to a top school or not at all.

What advice can you give me? Thanks.

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject:

Dear Tim7332,

To answer your first question, I'm not convinced it is worth your effort to retake the GMAT. If you are confident you can get your score up 30+ points, then it might be worth another attempt. But increasing your score by 5-20 points might not have much impact.

Your current score, which is awesome (congrats!), might be enough to mitigate your GPA but it depends on why you did not do better in college. If you have the one bad semester or year but the last 2+ years were good (>3.25), then it is probably fine. If you do not show an upward trend, doing well in the last year, and appear to have struggled with certain types of courses, then it might not. However, based on your age I'm assuming you have been out of college at least 5 years, so your GMAT score is probably enough to mitigate the GPA. You should still consider addressing the GPA in the optional essay though.

My largest concern based on your post is not your numbers, but the statement you made that you have "nothing remarkable to point to" on your resume. It doesn't matter what your GMAT is if you cannot demonstrate a successful career and make a compelling case for your candidacy to the admissions committees. Top schools get plenty of 700+ GMAT applicants; it is the ones that demonstrate their potential for business leadership and success that get admitted. I would suggest scrutinizing your work experience and personal experiences to assess whether or not you feel you can make a compelling case for your candidacy.

Good luck,
Lisa

Tim7332 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject:

Well I have experience as an accountant and real estate broker but I can't point to any huge companies that I worked for or management positions.

I think I am a leader but I haven't held title positions in work or school.

Would a good essay on leadership convince you think?

with a 2.7 gpa and 700 gmat should I bother applying to any ivy league programs?

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

Dear Tim7332,

If you believe the Ivy League schools are the best match for what you want from business school, then I think you should apply to them. It is important for you to attend a school that has the curriculum and career opportunities, but also that the culture is a good fit for your personality.

So, you do have some interesting work experience--why do you discount what you have done?? You need to start thinking in terms of accomplishments and contributions and not titles and company size. Admissions committees do not want a class full of people from Fortune 500 companies; they want diversity in backgrounds and experiences. Managerial skills are more than supervising people, although that is part of it. It is the responsibility you hold in your role and the scope of that responsibility that counts.

My final two cents: put together a strong set of essays and demonstrate your successes. Highlight your skills and leadership potential from both professional and personal experience. You have the foundation and materials--go build that application!

Best of luck,
Lisa