The Application Process

I'm currently looking at applying to Kelley (IU), Shidler JEMBA (Hawaii), WP Carey (ASU), and UTK (Tennessee). Currently working in Education and looking to switch fields to Supply Chain. I don't have much of a quant background besides an Accounting class in undergrad.

Anyway here goes...

The first time I took the GMAT I got a 510 (~36%) with (26Q~17%/35V~65%), and when I took it yesterday I got a 620 (70%) with (45Q-71%/31V-58%). While I'm happy with the big jump, I'm not quite sure what to do. Here is the problem:

My score would be eligible for Hawaii and Tennessee, but for Indiana and Arizona I'm scraping the bottom of the middle 80% GMAT range and below the mean scores.

So, with deadlines approaching sooner then later, which would be a better option:

1) Study and take the GMAT again in December and try to raise my score while trying to finishing the applications.

or

2) Spend the extra time on my application and get my essays perfect as well as take a class like one on www.mbamath.com (used by a lot of schools before the mba program starts) to help build an alternative transcript since I didn't take many quant related classes in Undergrad?

I'd appreciate any advice/opinions!

Thanks!

Hi

Retake GMAT for confidence and safety. Its a good idea.

You asked about an alternative transcript. This term generally refers to candidates who have graduated from their undergrad programs and want to either improve upon their respective GPAs, because they did not perform well in the past, or want to build confidence in their quantitative/management skills, because they took an unrelated course load (i.e. English major) and thus have not had the chance to prove proficiency. It seems like you are in the latter camp. Its a good idea to take the courses at the site you mentioned. Many applicants do that.

Thanks for answering so quickly. So if I had only time for one, would you recommend going with taking the GMAT again? For a non-business guy, would a 45Q be a strength or should I keep trying to up the score?

Hi,

This depends on how you feel about the schools you are applying to. If Arizona is a school you want to apply more than the other schools so we would advise you to take gmat. You have improved your score significantly and if you could do that then Arizona would be well in your reach -gmat wise. Your options to apply to top schools may also open in that case.
It's wise that you take practice classes to improve your transcripts. This initiative will serve you well.

Thanks again. The dream school is Kelley. Would I be better off waiting until Round 3 to apply?

Yeah , there is no problem.

Add on other features to your profile by that time.