Hey guys - just wanted to see if I could get any input from any of you fine folks who seem to be pretty darn knowledgable about all of this...
Just took the GMAT on Monday. 640 (39/40). Left some good points on the table in the quant section. Kicking myself a bit after that. I knew how to solve a good deal of the problems, but when I would go to work them out it was like everything had a really hard time coming out. I finished with a little under 2 minutes left, but maybe I was afraid of the time or just intimidated. Pretty pleased with the verbal. I don't really consider myself a GMAT Arnold - racking up 760s like my brain was on roids like some of you killers.
So I'm mainly looking at U of Illinois (main target), OSU Fisher, Penn State, maybe Indiana. UG was a 3.3 in Finance and Entrepreneurship double major from Indiana U. Was a treasurer overlooking $250k budget and ritualist in a large fraternity, currently work in a niche industry that sort of combines some finance with medical reports and some law. Definitely somewhat unique and I have some pretty out there stories from it. Have been promoted, but that doesn't put people beneath you where I work, just gives more responsibility. Would have really good recommendations, everyone I work with likes me. Could probably pull a letter of rec from a Harvard MBA (don't know if non-Harvard schools get as excited as everyone else.) Could probably also get one from a current U of Illinois MBA student. I feel that my essays would be pretty solid as well.
So what would you consider a good idea here? Retake the GMAT before I apply? (Would want to take it soon as I am headed to Europe Sept. 11 -24) Start up my applications and just see where my 640 takes me? Or is it possible to apply, and if they want a higher score I can take care of that? Wasn't sure given my Finance degree and finance/insurance related job if it would be much of a concern.
That's a lot of info to people who probably couldn't care less, but I had to give it a shot.
Much appreciated you guys.
Just took the GMAT on Monday. 640 (39/40). Left some good points on the table in the quant section. Kicking myself a bit after that. I knew how to solve a good deal of the problems, but when I would go to work them out it was like everything had a really hard time coming out. I finished with a little under 2 minutes left, but maybe I was afraid of the time or just intimidated. Pretty pleased with the verbal. I don't really consider myself a GMAT Arnold - racking up 760s like my brain was on roids like some of you killers.
So I'm mainly looking at U of Illinois (main target), OSU Fisher, Penn State, maybe Indiana. UG was a 3.3 in Finance and Entrepreneurship double major from Indiana U. Was a treasurer overlooking $250k budget and ritualist in a large fraternity, currently work in a niche industry that sort of combines some finance with medical reports and some law. Definitely somewhat unique and I have some pretty out there stories from it. Have been promoted, but that doesn't put people beneath you where I work, just gives more responsibility. Would have really good recommendations, everyone I work with likes me. Could probably pull a letter of rec from a Harvard MBA (don't know if non-Harvard schools get as excited as everyone else.) Could probably also get one from a current U of Illinois MBA student. I feel that my essays would be pretty solid as well.
So what would you consider a good idea here? Retake the GMAT before I apply? (Would want to take it soon as I am headed to Europe Sept. 11 -24) Start up my applications and just see where my 640 takes me? Or is it possible to apply, and if they want a higher score I can take care of that? Wasn't sure given my Finance degree and finance/insurance related job if it would be much of a concern.
That's a lot of info to people who probably couldn't care less, but I had to give it a shot.
Much appreciated you guys.
And, if you take the test again, you're showing commitment and conviction to the adcom -- they can see that you're taking this seriously. 
