Hi Stacy,
I was studying for the GMAT for ~3 months and was scored 720-750s on my last four practice tests. I took the test two weeks ago and scored a 680. Unfortunately, the testing center's building was testing its fire alarm for 10 minutes during the test, and I was completely distracted the entire time. I think this significantly impaired my performance, and I was extremely frustrated with the unfair testing conditions. I filed an official complaint with GMAC, and it is letting me take the test again free of charge on Dec. 18th.
This is where I need some advice....
I was originally planning on only taking the test once, and then having the rest of the year to work on 4 to 5 R2 applications for top tier schools. I also originally intended on enlisting your services to help me through the application process (I already had my free consultation). I understand that I would have been in a time crunch anyway, but I felt confident that I could accomplish all of this in a timely fashion.
Now, however, I'm in an entirely different time crunch. I am continuing to study for the GMAT and am confident that I will score >=720. I think it still might be reasonable for me to apply to two schools this year after taking the test on Dec. 18th, but am I crazy and/or underestimating how much of a time commitment applications are? FYI, I have tentatively booked vacation from 12/23 - 1/6 and plan on using all of it to work on applications (I could also extend this through 1/11). I also would hopefully choose two schools with different deadlines, to help spread out the workload. As far as the applications go, I've brainstormed/outlined a few essays, but haven't done much work beyond that.
Here's my profile for your consideration:
-Strong liberal arts school, 3.4 GPA, 2008 graduate
-Investment Analyst with F20 Company, received top 10% performance rating ("Role Model") and several awards
-Promoted within 18 months
-Several good ECs, such as:
-President of fraternity in UG (now sit on Alumni board)
-Lead several volunteer groups with an organization helping individuals with developmental disabilities
-Organized "Adopt-a-Troop" campaign 3 years running sending goods to US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq
1/5/11 Target Schools:
-Columbia
-Ross
-Darden
1/11/11 Target Schools:
-HBS
-Kellogg
So.... With all that, I return to my original question: am I crazy to think that this is possible? Should I just scrap it and apply next year instead (especially considering I'm only 2.5 years out of UG)? Does your firm (or others, for that matter) even take on clients this late in the game, or are all the spots already filled? If you do think that this is possible, should I start the applications now or just focus on studying for the next few weeks? ...or, should I just focus on applications now and retake the GMAT in January after I've already submitted applications?
I probably could have asked a million questions in this post... but wanted to keep it somewhat pointed. Please comment on any of the questions you feel are relevant, and let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you very much in advance!
Jack
I was studying for the GMAT for ~3 months and was scored 720-750s on my last four practice tests. I took the test two weeks ago and scored a 680. Unfortunately, the testing center's building was testing its fire alarm for 10 minutes during the test, and I was completely distracted the entire time. I think this significantly impaired my performance, and I was extremely frustrated with the unfair testing conditions. I filed an official complaint with GMAC, and it is letting me take the test again free of charge on Dec. 18th.
This is where I need some advice....
I was originally planning on only taking the test once, and then having the rest of the year to work on 4 to 5 R2 applications for top tier schools. I also originally intended on enlisting your services to help me through the application process (I already had my free consultation). I understand that I would have been in a time crunch anyway, but I felt confident that I could accomplish all of this in a timely fashion.
Now, however, I'm in an entirely different time crunch. I am continuing to study for the GMAT and am confident that I will score >=720. I think it still might be reasonable for me to apply to two schools this year after taking the test on Dec. 18th, but am I crazy and/or underestimating how much of a time commitment applications are? FYI, I have tentatively booked vacation from 12/23 - 1/6 and plan on using all of it to work on applications (I could also extend this through 1/11). I also would hopefully choose two schools with different deadlines, to help spread out the workload. As far as the applications go, I've brainstormed/outlined a few essays, but haven't done much work beyond that.
Here's my profile for your consideration:
-Strong liberal arts school, 3.4 GPA, 2008 graduate
-Investment Analyst with F20 Company, received top 10% performance rating ("Role Model") and several awards
-Promoted within 18 months
-Several good ECs, such as:
-President of fraternity in UG (now sit on Alumni board)
-Lead several volunteer groups with an organization helping individuals with developmental disabilities
-Organized "Adopt-a-Troop" campaign 3 years running sending goods to US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq
1/5/11 Target Schools:
-Columbia
-Ross
-Darden
1/11/11 Target Schools:
-HBS
-Kellogg
So.... With all that, I return to my original question: am I crazy to think that this is possible? Should I just scrap it and apply next year instead (especially considering I'm only 2.5 years out of UG)? Does your firm (or others, for that matter) even take on clients this late in the game, or are all the spots already filled? If you do think that this is possible, should I start the applications now or just focus on studying for the next few weeks? ...or, should I just focus on applications now and retake the GMAT in January after I've already submitted applications?
I probably could have asked a million questions in this post... but wanted to keep it somewhat pointed. Please comment on any of the questions you feel are relevant, and let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you very much in advance!
Jack
