I have one of those stories, not quite sure where it falls. Four years ago I took the GMAT, at that time I was in Kenya, my home country. I did not have much time to prepare and I wasn't really sure what the GMAT was about besides that there was math and english tested. I scored a dismal 450/4.5AWA
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/embarassed.png)
I got here and enrolled in school, but things went wrong.... was unable raise the funds after one semester as my sponsor couldn't help and I couldn't access scholarships or financial aid... long story short, I dropped out of school. And after that it was a downhill spin
![Crying or Very sad :cry:](./images/smilies/crying.png)
I have managed to put the pieces together and I am ready to go back to grad school, I had initially enrolled in MSc Hospitality Management, but I ve had time to do some research and soul searching and I have decided to apply for an MBA instead.
I re-took the GMAT in October after using Veritas books. I scored a dismal 530.. while it was definitely more than 450, it was still way too low. So I registered again and took it for the third time in November and scored 600 this time after using OGs. It was improvement, but I wanted more.
I would have given myself more time to prepare before another re-take, but the priority deadline (for scholarships) for the state university I am applying to is 10th January and I wanted to be considered, so I sat the GMAT again today, and I prayed that this would be the last time I took it... but I guess not! I scored 610 (Q39, V35), 5.5 AWA.
The school requires a GMAT score of 550, and 3.3 GPA for their fulltime program which I am intersted in, I am glad my GMAT score is above the requirement, but my GPA is lower than the requirement (though I will address the circumstances surrounding that in my essay... having to work throughout undergrad to support myself)
My intention is to get into this MBA program for one year, and I could also used my elective credits towards a certificate in entrepreneurship and graduate with both in 12 months. I also want to take some quant courses while doing my MBA and maybe a psych and sociology class to sort of build an alternative transcript. Upon graduation from the MBA, I would like to apply to a PhD program (Management & Organizations), and this time I would like to target top business schools, (hence my MBA for prep and alternative transcript and aim for a higher GMAT).
So, I will continue to study for the GMAT, in the hope that my next attempt several months from now, will get me to 720+. I will try to build my portfolio along the way, like an internship with UNDP possibly next Summer, involvement with global business brigades, a Research/Grad Assistantship, and various other projects.
I would value all your imput, any suggestions you may have to help me achieve my goals. I come from a very humble background and the thirst for knowledge and excellence is something I can't shake off. I will keep going! So I need to get from this 610 to above 720. And I need all your help. (So far I ve only used Veritas books and OG 11 and supplements)
Sorry my post was so long!!