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Application strategy (low GMAT 610)

Launched April 26, 2006
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Application strategy (low GMAT 610)

by Jarod » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:21 am
Hi there. I am quite a novice in this forum.
I am currently doing my application for Sept 2007 intake. I understand that my chances to be accepted are better when I apply for the 'longer' programs (compared with the accelerate programs starting in Januar)
I will go for the 1st round for a total of 5 schools. I have somebody who writes my essays. So this won't be an issue.

However, I have an obvious lack in my GMAT. I scored 610 (verbal 28). I did score 550 one month ago. Based on my pre-tests I think I am able to achieve 650 (but this is not granted). Whatever I do, I will always be one of the applicants unlikely to be accepted. Will a score of 650 boost my chances so much? Or should I just hope that one school likes me.

My concern is, that if I take the GMAT again and 'only' score around 600 my GMAT summary looks even worse.
The only positive thing is my 10 years working experience although I am only 27 by now and my officer leadership experience from the army. (Swityerland)

So, the overall question is:
- Will my (anyway bad) chances increase dramatically if I apply with 650?
- How would you value the chances of applying at 7 schools with 610 compared to 5 schools with 650? Or where do you see better chances. (if any ;-(

The schools I am interessted in are: Duke, Cornell, NYU, Yale, Rochester, INSEAD, Kellog

I really appreciate your comments.
Have a good one.
Daniel
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by Amy » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:38 am
Hi Daniel,

I'm sorry to get on a soap box, but something you mentioned is quite disturbing to me. You said: "I have somebody who writes my essays. So this won't be an issue." I cannot emphasize strongly enough that you should write your own essays.

Having someone who can help you with your essays - to define topics, point out where you need more information or insight, or to proofread is a great and legitimate service (and one that we provide, for instance) - but having someone else write your essays is not only unethical, it completely defeats one of the major benefits of this often terrible and arduous process - your chance to really think about why you are taking this huge step and changing your life, and to examine what you think you will get out of it.

To answer your questions: Yes, your chances will increase with a 650. and there is not really a downside to taking it again, because getting a lower score is not a dramatic problem.

I really can't define the probability of your chances of admission in the two scenarios you suggest - it depends how strong your overall application is, which schools you apply to, and many other factors that don't create a neat GMAT question.

You didn't ask this - but it is definitely not true that your chances of admission are higher for a two year program than an accelerated program. I would actually argue that it's probably slightly less competitive to attend an accelerated program (at least in the US.)

Good luck!

Amy
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by Jarod » Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:17 am
Hi
Thank you for your valuable input. I really appreciate the time and thoughts you have invested to give me such detailed answers. To clarify. Somebody helps me to write the essays. However, I am quite an average guys who has not much to show uf what could be super interesting for an MBA school. Maybe I have to do something fancy on quick notice, like to save the planet to increase my chances :-)
All in all I got the message....
Some schools have deadline mid October. Would you then recommend to apply in 2nd round with (hopefully) 650 rather than in 1st round with 610?
Won't I not only be the guy who scored between 610 and 650? I mean the anyway receive all my scores and see that I tried 3 times.
Last but not least. Let's assume I go with 610 and don't accept me. That would mean that I have to wait about 2 years before they will consider me again, right? I mean they won't say that the only reason is the GMAT score.

I am really afraid that I have to do this stupid *ç%"*ç%!!! test again.
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by Amy » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:53 pm
Hi Daniel,

See the sticky post on R1 vs R2 - we advise you to apply in the round where you are most prepared, and a higher GMAT is better than a lower GMAT, all other things being equal.

I'm not sure what the question is here:
Won't I not only be the guy who scored between 610 and 650? I mean the anyway receive all my scores and see that I tried 3 times.
Are you asking if you will be the only person who has a score of 610-650? Probably not. If you look at the stats for each school you can see what the middle 80% range is to get some idea of where you fall in the admitted pool. Schools do not report the stats for applicants, so that is impossible to know. I can tell you that many people re-take the GMAT multiple times.

MBA programs aren't looking for something insanely impressive - such as saving the world - they want to see that you are mature, accomplished and have management and leadership potential.

And no, you don't need to wait two years to apply again, you can certainly apply again next year.

Good luck!

Amy
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by Jarod » Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:35 am
Amy Ulrich wrote: If you look at the stats for each school you can see what the middle 80% range is to get some idea of where you fall in the admitted pool. Schools do not report the stats for applicants, so that is impossible to know. I can tell you that many people re-take the GMAT multiple times.

Amy
Hi Amy. Here I am.
Did the GMAT test today. I am obviously not good enough to combine verbal and math into one good test. Ended up with 640 (Math 39, Verbal 38) compared to one month ago with 610 (Math 47, Verbal 28). My TOEFL score is 109.
I will mention the fact that I did good at least once in Math and once in Verbal. But will they care? Or do they only care about there avg. GMAT score?

Well that's where I stand. With the potential to go up to 670-680 but obviously not with the ability to do so in one single test. I can't take another GMAT because that would be my forth and deadlines for 2nd rounds are close. So, I guess that's it. Only hope can now help me now.

What do you think? What are my changes (in %; make your best guesses) that I get accepted at one of the following schools. (This will be the nr. I go to bed with for the next 2 months until they refuse me or give me the chance for an interview :-)
NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, Simon Rochester, Yale, INSEAD, Kellogg, Johnson Cornell, mabybe Duke.

As mentioned, I have ok application characters, 2 years army (officer), 10yrs work experience (last 4 years in two pretty good positions), athlete (iron man like competitions), European, 27. Nice guy :-)

Thanks again for all your valuable help. I really appreciate it.
Bye Daniel
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by gmat765 » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:50 pm
Hi, Daniel
I would urge you to retake the test.
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