Dear Consultants,
I am applying to full-time MBA programs at UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall for Fall '09. I just took the GMAT for the first time and scored a 640 total (42 verbal, 36 quant). My target score was 690.
After four months of preparation, including a math refresher course, a 9-week MGMAT course, some tutoring, and eight timed practice tests, this score was disappointing. I scored a 690 on two timed practice tests, but haven't hit this threshold in the last month or so. It's possible that I'm a bit fried from all of the prep.
So the question is this -- should I grind through the math for another month and retake the GMAT in early December? I know I can do better than a 36 in quant, but realistically won't go much higher than 40. Or should I focus my time and energy on the essays and application and live with the 640?
I have two concerns with retaking the GMAT. The first is jeopardizing my verbal score (95th percentile). The second is getting pushed out of Round 1 for USC Marshall if I have to wait until mid-December to submit my application.
I am a white male, 32, with over ten years of experience in the advertising industry in NY and LA (Client Services, current title at Director level, recommendations will be solid). Liberal arts undergrad at Colgate University (concentration in Latin American Studies, underwhelming GPA below 3.0 -- a result of too much fun). Grew up in Latin American and Asia and want to pursue entrepreneurial and international opportunities post-MBA.
I am considering adding Pepperdine/Graziadio to my list, but am limited to programs in LA (bought a house, wife just finished law school at UCLA and has committed to a job in LA). Is there another option that I should consider?
Any counsel or guidance you can provide on how to move forward would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
SM
I am applying to full-time MBA programs at UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall for Fall '09. I just took the GMAT for the first time and scored a 640 total (42 verbal, 36 quant). My target score was 690.
After four months of preparation, including a math refresher course, a 9-week MGMAT course, some tutoring, and eight timed practice tests, this score was disappointing. I scored a 690 on two timed practice tests, but haven't hit this threshold in the last month or so. It's possible that I'm a bit fried from all of the prep.
So the question is this -- should I grind through the math for another month and retake the GMAT in early December? I know I can do better than a 36 in quant, but realistically won't go much higher than 40. Or should I focus my time and energy on the essays and application and live with the 640?
I have two concerns with retaking the GMAT. The first is jeopardizing my verbal score (95th percentile). The second is getting pushed out of Round 1 for USC Marshall if I have to wait until mid-December to submit my application.
I am a white male, 32, with over ten years of experience in the advertising industry in NY and LA (Client Services, current title at Director level, recommendations will be solid). Liberal arts undergrad at Colgate University (concentration in Latin American Studies, underwhelming GPA below 3.0 -- a result of too much fun). Grew up in Latin American and Asia and want to pursue entrepreneurial and international opportunities post-MBA.
I am considering adding Pepperdine/Graziadio to my list, but am limited to programs in LA (bought a house, wife just finished law school at UCLA and has committed to a job in LA). Is there another option that I should consider?
Any counsel or guidance you can provide on how to move forward would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
SM
