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GMAT dilemma / Application Advice

by rere » Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:39 pm
Hi -
I am looking for advise on what to do next. I would like to apply round 2 to the top b-schools (Harvard, Wharton, Kellog, etc) for Fall 09. I am looking to switch careers and will be looking to go into Entrepreneurship/non-profit post MBA.

My GMAT story:
I took the GMAT twice and got the same exact score. 620 (Q48, V28). The first attempt was in Feb 2008 and the second attempt was yesterday :( I am really disappointed with my score esp when all my practice test scores were at least 20 points higher with significantly higher verbal scores.

My Background:
I am female from a North East African country. I work at a top Investment bank in the US at the moment.
- 4 yrs work experience in Project management business analyst role at the bank
- I'm a top performer at my job and so pretty confident that I can get great recommendations
- I have a BSc degree in an engineering discipline with a 3.4 GPA
- I've started a non-profit and have a lot of volunteering experience

The dilemma:
With my poor GMAT score, I am not sure what to do next. Should I bother to retake the exam within the next month (with the aid of a tutor/expert) or should I invest the remaining month and a half on my essays and applications and hope for the best? Would retaking the GMAT greatly strengthen my application?

Any advise is greatly appreciated!

Cheers!
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by jarome101 » Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:38 am
I am not a consultant but have learned a great deal in the process, I think we are from the same country and have the same exact score and gpa, I would do this. Apply to all the schools you want this round, if you WANT to do entrepreneurship and are definitive on that, apply to Babson, there is no better school in the world for Entrepreneurship. In addition, if you want to go to those schools, apply and see what happens, they will take lower Gmat scores, it isn’t like you got a 500 where they are uncomfortable with the score. The top schools are confident in their reputations and can see past a lower GMAT with a stellar application. If you want to go this year then you have to broaden your list a little bit. Emory, UVA, Georgetown, Indiana, USC are possibilities. Do not get scared off by this notion that everyone is going back to school this year. I had some honest discussions with a couple of schools admission officers and individuals who work inside the admissions office and they have not seen an increase from last year. Also if you look @ GMAT takers (domestically) they are about flat to last year. So go ahead apply, whats the worst that could happen, you don’t get into Harvard, most qualifies candidates don’t!!!
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by Lisa Anderson » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:58 am
Dear rere,

I think you should focus on your applications at this point. I also think you need to consider some other programs that are not as much of a reach for you with your current profile. From what you posted, I think you have a lot to offer and will be able to present a strong application package. However, it is important to be realistic and make sure you apply to schools that are more reasonable in relation to your GMAT/GPA profile. Babson is a great choice and your GMAT score is right under the average. There are some other programs that would also be a good match for your career goals that have GMAT averages in the 630-680 range. Perhaps do a little research on schools and then get busy on writing some outstanding essays?

Best of luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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