I just gave my GMAT and am totally bummed to get a 670. I got 40 in quant and 41 in verbal. I am usually much better in quant and I have a feeling this was one of those bad days. Having said that, I have 3 years work ex post qualification and 3 years pre qualification internship to boot. Should I look at giving the GMAT another shot or would I be better off applying right now?

To all 670s out there. I think our score is definitely enough to get into the top 20 program. However, after talking with some of the first year students, what we should focus on, is what we want to do after MBA. They said that if you want to get a consulting job at Bain/Booz/McKinsey/BCG - 670 would not even land you an interview for an internship even if you go to HBS.All of the companies mentioned above require at least 700.

So let's distinguish 2 separate goals: getting into the program, and actually getting a job after the program (which I am sure is the ultimate goal of all applicants). The former goal really CAN be accomplished with 670, but the latter, cannot.
Something to think about.....
Personnaly, I am off to retaking the test on Feb 6th. I figured it can't hurt either way (i still would have to retake it again if i get in the program to get an internship, so why not now?) After all, most schools will take an updated score during the application process so by retaking the test I am attempting to kill two birds with one stone.

P.S. I am R2 applicant at Darden.

Over the weekend, I have also gained another insight into the admissions process. If the school's average score is 700, and your score is 670, then the school must have an applicant with 730 accept an admissions offer before they can extend an offer to you. Therefore improving your score to 690 would dramatically increase your chances, since the school only has to admit someone with 710 in order to maintain its average. Someone with 710 will be a lot more likely to accept the admissions offer to Darden than someone with 730. A 730 person is more competitive and is most likely applying to other highly ranked schools and if the offer is extended, say, from Kellgog, Booth, W, H, S, or Duke - the applicant may reconsider and not accept one from a lower ranked school.

I can sympathize with anyone who is disappointed with a 670, when they have been consistently scoring 720+. It's no different than someone who consistently gets a 500 and then sees 450 pop up on the screen. It's disheartening to say the least. To each their own. Sure a 670 falls within the 80th percentile.. but who wants to settle for that when they know they can be to the far right of the bell curve?

I'm confident you'll be able to blow it out of the water during your next sitting.

Cheers!