The Application Process

It seems to me that, not counting H/S/W/MIT, the other biz schools may try harder to find a reason to admit a borderline candidate with a 780-800 score than they would to admit a slightly "better" candidate with a 700-740 score.

The reasoning would be that if both are borderline and even if the lower-GMAT scoring applicant is actually slightly better, they'll still want to take their chances on the high-GMAT guy/gal just because it would also help their ranking. This is even though most believe after 700-720, you're "good enough" and GMAT doesn't matter as much.

Of course, all else being equal, higher GMAT always gets the nod, but I'm thinking that even in the "good enough" GMAT scores of 700+, a slightly better (in essay/work exp terms) 720-scoring candidate may be squeezed out for a less-favorable overall but 790-scoring candidate.

What do you guys think? We all know how important those rankings are for these b-schools. And I also understand that the GMAT isn't the only thing that goes in the rankings.

It really is not as cut and dry as you think. Yes, all else being equal any advantage will tip the scales. A score too low can only keep you put... A great score will not get you in.

Thanks for your input.