Waitlist complication with low GMAT

uge2452

Hi, I'm a new member to the forum with a pressing challenge. I was waitlisted at G-town (my top-choice) during round 2. My intention was
to get off the WL as soon as possible by addressing my main weakness-- a 600 GMAT (Q 30, V 42) with a low quant score. After taking a prep course with Veritas, I took the exam for the fourth time and receive a lower overall score, albeit a higher quant score. I've gone through past posts on this forum and have found conflicting advice: taking the GMAT again (even with an unmoved score) shows Adcom your interest; Adcoms take only your highest score and disregard anything lower. So, my question:

-- Should I submit my new scores, even though they are lower than my
previous scores? My latest break down is a 580 (Q 34, V 35!). The quant is the highest score of all 4 attempts, yet the verbal is astonishingly low. That being said, is there value in this new score?

I do have Stats in my transcript and scored As, so it's not a matter of quant incompetence-- except for on the actual GMAT! Any insight you could provide would be helpful

VP_Scott

Sorry to hear about your GMAT angst!

I don't think there's much value in submitting your new score. That's good that your quant score improved, but if you have earned A's in college statistics courses, then I'm guessing that you don't have much to prove in the quant area. So, no need to submit a new score if it's just going to show that you earned a lower verbal score.

I don't know anything else about your application, but are you sure that your GMAT score is what's keeping you from being admitted? You seem pretty certain that the GMAT is the culprit, but maybe there's something else in your application that you should address? Has the school given you any feedback on what weaknesses there are in your application?

Scott

VP_MBA_Guru · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Hi Urg,
I agree with Scott's comments above. Question - have you corresponded with AdComm since getting on the WL? If not, I would strongly recommend contacting them and reemphasizing your strong interest in the program. And as Scott mentioned, hopefully you can get some feedback in terms of areas of weakness.

At this point, there probably isn't much you can do, other than letting them know you are still very interested in the program.

Good luck!

NP

uge2452 · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:37 am Post subject:

Thank you both for your timely responses. I am so grateful for the the advice!

Like many other test takers who struggled with the GMAT, I felt so low about my overall prospects that I convinced myself that my primary weakness was my score, and that with a higher one, I would have been a "clear admit" to top 20 program. In addition, I believed that because GT is an upwardly mobile program in terms of rankings and recognition, GMAT scores would be even more important than at larger, more established programs that may have capacity to take positive risks in candidates with glaringly low scores. Given this, I was too embarrassed to ask the AdCom for a personal assessment and just went with my assumptions.

In terms of my background: 3.5 GPA UG with honors from top 10 liberal arts/6yrs WE in public & private sector marketing/ great EC (won 2 academic fellowships, sat and chaired committees on a national nonprofit org, started a np). My main interest is to transition into business expansion and/or marketing for a consumer goods multinational looking to enter Sub-saharan African & Mid-East markets. I recognize that my nontraditional background may not be "M7" material, but I believe my skills and experience are a perfect fit for GT.

The good thing is that in past months, I received a promotion at work and have been appointed to lead a few projects with an emergent market focus. In fact, I just submitted my update letter to GT yesterday detailing some of these great highlights, as well as reiterating my interest in the program. I also plan to visit campus again next week, as I'll be in DC on holiday. But, at this point, all I can do it wait for a nod!

VP_MBA_Guru · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

Hi Urg,

Sounds like you are a perfect candidate for GT. And dont get me started on my personal views of the GMAT as a means of evaluation!

But yeah, you are doing the right things - contacting the school with updates on your promotion/accolades, visiting the school.

Here is a suggestion - while on your campus visit, talk to as many students/faculty/adcom members you can and if you have a good repore with any of them - let them know that you are on the waitlist and express your strong desire to enter the program.

There is no guarantee they can do anything, but I know several students who got off the waitlist after making a good 'impression' while visiting campus and networking with the community. They all felt someone must have put in a good word.

Again, there is no guarantee, but doesn't hurt, right?

Good luck!!

NP

uge2452 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 7:20 am Post subject:

Again, Nikhil, thank you for the excellent advice! I will chime in again and let you know if my efforts are fruitful in the end.