To wait or not to wait...

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GMAT Score:630

To wait or not to wait...

by AS1982 » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:09 pm
Hello,

I took the GMAT in November, scored a 630 (44Q, 32V, 6AWA). Undergrad GPA 3.1, M.A. in English 3.7 GPA.

The more I read about about the importance of GMAT scores and B-School Admission, the more I am sensing that I have just missed an important number in my GMAT score, placing me in a kind of "no man's land." I have read that schools really like my background (humanities major, Division I athletic coach) but that my GMAT is just off the mark to be considered for top 10 schools.

I have already been admitted into a top 5 part-time program, but I don't really know what that means in comparison to full-time programs. I have applied to the full-time programs at Wharton, Cornell, and Georgetown, and I am unfortunately not expecting acceptances based on their GMAT stats.

My dilemma is as follows. Assuming things don't work out with the three aforementioned schools, should I stick with the reputable part-time program, or should I really buckle down this summer and take another year. My best practice tests put me up around 690, though with more studying, I could feasibly crack 700.

Is it worth it to take an entire extra year just for a shot at the top 10 over a 20-40 school? Is a 630 really no man's land like it appears to be? Is my background as appealing as I think it is, or is that just wishful thinking?
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:57 pm
GMAT Score:630

addendum

by AS1982 » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:29 pm
Oh yeah... I'm 26, turning 27 this summer. 5 years work experience. Both undergrad and grad work done at very good schools, but not amazing schools. I'm also enrolled to take 2 business courses (stats, accounting) this spring to help nullify a blunder on my transcript (failed calculus when I was 17).

So really the extra year is the only setback. I'd be 30 when I graduate instead of 29. Not the end of the world, but certainly I'd like to do it sooner rather than later, but I guess I need to know if that extra year is worth is to go to a great school instead of a good school.