GMAT score of 600 can I get into top 10 or top 20

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Work Experience: Worked for 4 years in corp finance, private equity & now business analyst supervisor for non-profit entity of UC Davis.

Cal State University Sacramento
Bachelor of Science in Business Adminstration
Concentration: Finance & International Business
Cumulative GPA:3.5
Finance GPA: 3.9

GMAT:600
My practice and real GMAT is not going upwards, I am hard worker which shows from GPA but standardized test a different thing for me.
Any detailed explanation would help.
Should I just apply to schools in 20-30 range and not waste my money on applications and forget the dream of being in top schools.

Students who have low gpa compensate it with high gmat but if I can't get high gmat am I at disadvantage or my gpa and work experience can help.

Please advise.
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by Lisa Anderson » Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:07 pm
Dear smartuam,

Your GPA and experience can mitigate your GMAT score to some degree. Likewise, your essays, recommendations and interview are key to making your case for admission. When your GMAT is below average, but in the mid-80% range for a school, you have a chance if you can distinguish yourself from the applicant pool. As with anyone applying to business school, it is important to have a mix of reach, reasonable, and safe schools on your list. I think there are some great programs in the 15-40 range that would be a mix of reach and reasonable for you, but encourage you to have at least 1 program that is more safe for a back up plan.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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