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710 GMAT, Low Quant

by wisebrain » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:23 am
I am applying to HBS, Wharton, Stanford, NYU, Kellogg, and Columbia this year. I got a 710 (92%), v.41 (92%) q.47 (79%). I am nervous that my quantitative score is below the magic 80% mark that top schools look for.

At the same time I am not planning to take the GMAT again since I've already taken it twice and don't feel like my score will improve dramatically.

I studied accounting and finance from a state university and graduated with a 3.9. I work in financial management consulting.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PUT MY QUANTITATIVE ABILITIES IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT?
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:53 am
Hi and thanks for your good question. It sounds like you have a solid GMAT socre so obviously there is no concern there (frankly, I am convinced that one reason that low quant scores don't matter if you have a good overall score is that only the overall score is counted in the rankings...but that's another story).

In terms of how to position yourself in the best light, think about this way: one of the reasons that MBA programs like the GMAT is that it is a very good predictor of first-year academic performance in a normal MBA program. You, however, may be the exception to the rule on the quant side: you have great undergraduate training in finance and accounting and you have worked in the finance industry, even if indirectly.

So...in this case, I don't think that there is any question that your work experience in a quant business will trump your slightly weaker GMAT score. Play up the work experience, stress concrete skills and knowledge that you have (i.e., "expert financial statement analysis", "experienced in small company valuation," etc. etc.), I think the GMAT score will fade into the background as a concern.

Let me know if you have further questions--

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html
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