Strong enough for LBS? Geologist/5+ years intl.exp./660 GMAT

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Hi,

I could really use some good advice for my MBA applications. Please consider the following:

Target school: First choice LBS, second choice Imperial/Cass (September 2017 intake)

GMAT: This is the tricky part. I sat my GMAT today and my score was right on the cut-off I had set myself. I scored an overall 660 with Q47 and V34 (IR 7 for what it's worth). I had a nightmare getting to the test centre and I was stressed... Could do better (but time is running out...)

Academic background: BSc in Geoscience (2:1) from a German top university // 1st Class Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Geology and Geophysics) from Auckland University NZ // 1st Class MSc in Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Aberdeen UK (globally one of the highest ranked courses in petroleum geoscience).

Experience: My career background is primarily in oil and gas exploration and production (Maersk Oil // Canadian Natural Resources), with some gold exploration for a small firm. I am a hybrid between a geologist and an engineer. I have worked in Colombia, UK, Denmark, Norway, and Qatar. I was lucky enough that my previous employer has invested a lot in my professional training with lots of business oriented courses, including a mini-MBA from UC Berkeley.

Personal: German male, 31 yo, speaking 3.5 languages (German, English, Spanish, and a bit of Danish)

I am confident that all in all my CV is fairly strong, having studied and worked internationally for 8 years across 7 countries. I'm just a little worried regarding my GMAT. To re-take or not to re-take? Can I compensate for my 'low' GMAT with a strong CV?

I want to make the January deadline for the 2nd round. Alternatively I could do the GMAT again and try my luck in the 3rd round. Which one is better?? Also I am hoping for a scholarship, which is making things more tricky... ;)

Any advice will be greatly appreciated :)

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by Jon@Admissionado » Thu Dec 29, 2016 12:51 am
Well a few things:
1. Your GMAT is a bit low, but just go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I feel like otherwise your profile is interesting/unique enough to be of interest. So if your essays rock, you will have a shot.
2. That having been said, LBS is not a natural choice for you necessarily (industry wise). INSEAD and IMD would be good options as the class is older and more industry-focused.
3. For Imperial/Cass I feel like with a solid application you should have solid chances of acceptance here.

Don't sweat the GMAT. What's done is done. And with your profile, you can make it,

Best,
Jon
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by Rosenkatze » Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:38 am
Hi Jon,

Thanks a lot for your reply and encouraging words. INSEAD is definitely a goal, whilst their GMAT requirements are more specific and I don't currently meet their demands (I believe). However, I'll try to re-sit the test if I don't get a satisfying outcome in London and apply for the INSEAD intake in Jan 2018.

As for LBS, you raised an interesting point with regards to their profile for people with an industry background. I visited an on-campus even on Dec 14th and I was certainly a minority with regards to my engineering/technical/industry background. However, I am planning on transitioning towards consulting and on top of that LBS has important links to banks, which are heavily involved with the mining/energy industry.

Anyways, thanks for the feedback - your help is much appreciated!

Regards,
Moritz

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by Jon@Admissionado » Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:05 am
Hey,
Sounds good! Go for it. And keep in mind: if things don't work out as planned, you are in it for the long-haul. You just retake the GMAT and make it in next year.

Best,
Jon
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.