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Dear Adviser

Beat The GMAT : One gets strained by the hypergravity of The Real GMAT the closer he/she gets to it..I realised why the title 'BeatTheGMAT' meant a lot more..Like many other B-school applicants I've been also struck by lightening on the Actual GMAT...actually twice

1st GMAT Attempt: 2nd Oct 2010 | 680 | AWA 4.0
(this was exactly what I scored on GMAT prep 2-months back, just BEFORE initiating my preparations!!) I think I got nervous on the day (I could feel my heart beating hard). I was scoring 730 on GMAT prep and 720-750 on my last MGMATs.
2nd GMAT Attempt: 3rd Nov 2010 | 700 - Q48 V38 | AWA 5.0
With 1 month more preparation I was scoring around 750-760 on GMAT preps. But, anxiety kicked in again..this time the night before! I could not sleep the night before (only got to sleep for 4 hours) May seem like excuses but it actually happened with me.

Now, a good GMAT score can change my selection of Target schools, Scholarship chances...and maybe at-least next 5 years of my life.
My first question is:Now that I have already missed my R1 deadlines should I go in for 3rd attempt at The GMAT maybe by mid Dec & prepare for essays and application by R2 deadlines? I am not working right now so can devote most of my time to essays and applications.

My Second Question is regarding my profile in respect to my work-ex: My Profile is:
Ethnicity: Indian
Age: 29
Have lived in India all my life but have recently moved to US on a dependent VISA
BSc Honors School Biophysics 1999-2002 | GPA 3.23 |
Work Ex of 7 Years: 4 Years in Car Loans and TW Loans (Lending side) + 3+ Years in Life Insurance in Top Private Life Insurer of India (Investment side - as it is in India). Left my Job in Jun 2010, as an Area Manager (I was a good performer and received continuous Role Enhancements and Promotions)

I have learnt that B-Scools generally focus on diversity a lot..I am from an over-represented group of Indians, so work gets tougher. I have noticed that most of the applicants here have IT experience (generally of 2-5 years). I have a core Banking and Insurance experience (On Assets as well as Liabilities side) of Sales, Team Handling & Start-ups. Does this advantageously set me apart within the group?

Please Advise me on this..this will clear a lot of fog in my head.

Apologies for the long write-up.

Thanks!

pseudotix,

You don't need to take the GMAT again (a 720, for example, would not significantly change your odds), and if you plan to hit the second-round deadlines you should focus 100% on the essays, letters, etc. Your industry experience does set you apart a bit from the 'Indian Male Technology' profile, but you are still Indian and Male so unfortunately you will not be a diversity applicant. Your age and apparent unemployment will also be negatives you'll need to contend with. So I would be conservative in your school selection and apply to as many schools as you can (without sacrificing quality).

Hope this helps,