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720 GMAT - Sub 80% Quantitative - Need Advice

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720 GMAT - Sub 80% Quantitative - Need Advice

by dubj6610 » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:20 pm
Back in October I took the GMAT, which I had studied extremely hard for. My goal was a 700+ and when I got a 720 I was elated. But over the past 4 months I've had a sinking feeling that this might not cut it at my target schools (Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg). Much of this feeling can be attributed to what I've read on MBA forums like this one.

My Quantitative was 44 which I believe is low to mid 70 percentile. My verbal was 45 (98 percentile). Clearly my GMAT score is unbalanced. I have a BS in Management from the United States Air Force Academy, graduating with a 2.7 GPA overall. It seems low but the curve at USAFA is such that graduating with over a 3.0 is graduating with academic distinction. That GPA encompasses some tough engineering, math and physics classes. If you were to take my majors classes only, my GPA is significantly higher.

I have 4 years of work experience as a Financial Management Officer, with good leadership experience.

Should I retake the GMAT? Do I need to give it another go to try and get my Quantitative above the 80th percentile? I want to go to the very best MBA program and am willing to do what it takes, but also want to use my time and energy wisely.

I would really appreciate any input/insight/wisdom. Thank you!
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:29 am
Hello,

The higher your GMAT, the better your chances – and yet a very high GMAT is no guarantee for these schools. You also will need compelling applications. If you can do better on the GMAT quant side by a reasonable amount of preparation, it would make sense, but if it would require extraordinary effort and/or you’re not sure you can do better, then the 720 will be fine. It’s not high for those schools but it does the job. Your transcript will show your quantitative skills, and you can underscore that strength with a short optional essay saying that the academic record is a more accurate indicator than the GMAT, especially given your work in finance.

I’m aware of the academic rigor of the Air Force Academy, and so are the adcoms. That said, the GPA is still a little low.

From the info you’ve provided I consider your target schools reasonable reaches – but at the outer edge of that category. I suggest that you broaden your list if you can find schools in the very next tier that meet your needs. For other schools at the top level, however, have you looked at MIT’s Sloan and Cornell’s Johnson (assuming you’ve had some service following graduation)? I’ve found these schools to be particularly welcoming to people coming from a military background (this is anecdotal).

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com
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by dubj6610 » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:51 am
Cindy, thanks so much for the great feedback. Truly appreciated.
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