Honest advice needed - low GMAT - The Beat The GMAT Forum - Expert GMAT Help & MBA Admissions Advice

Honest advice needed - low GMAT

Expert replies

stew123: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:28 pm

by stew123 » Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:41 pm

Good evening all,

I was wandering if someone could please offer some honest advice for an international applicant looking to apply to HBS for 2010 entry.

Stats
GPA: Converts to around 3.5
Pre MBA - Investment banker (3 years sales and trading)
Post MBA plans: Non-profit.
Extracurriculars: Extensive social and charity work/consistent leadership for 5 years
GMAT: 550 (retaking on 16 Jan)
Recommendations: Very strong,

Since being laid off from my job in Feb 2009, I set up my own non-profit organisation which has grown massively in the past year, into one the largest of its kind in my home country. I am particularly attracted to HBS because of its social enterprise programme.

I know the stumbling block is the GMAT. What I need to know is whether I have a fighting chance to gain admission if I don't get higher than 550.

I am applying for the second round deadline and would appreciate your thoughts.

Regards.

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask mbaMission | Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:41 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

mbaMissionJessica: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 148; Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:26 pmFollowed by: 9 members; Thanked: 12 times

by mbaMissionJessica » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:31 am

Hi, and thank you for your inquiry. I'm sorry to hear about your disappointing GMAT score.

While the score does considerably reduce your chances, I do know of the rare applicant with an exceptional profile who has gotten in to HBS with a score similar to yours. It sounds from your profile that if your organization is as significant as you say it is, you may be considered compelling enough to be considered. But it is quite a stretch.

The good news though is that you're re-taking the GMAT before the HBS deadline, so this whole discussion may become moot. If you do score higher, of course submit it with your HBS application, but also send it to the other schools whose deadlines were earlier. They may not all accept late submissions, but some will.

Best of luck, both with the GMAT and with your application process.

Jessica Shklar
Senior Consultant
mbaMission (www.mbamission.com)
646-485-8844

Sign up for a free consultation with mbaMission, the only admissions consulting firm that leading GMAT prep companies, ManhattanGMAT and Kaplan, recommend.
www.mbamission.com/consult.php

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review