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Optional Essay Content

Launched April 26, 2006
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Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
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by sme0928 » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:09 pm
Hi there,
I have a question regarding the optional essay. I scored 600 on the GMAT, not a great score obviously, but either at, above, or within 20 points of my target school. I scored 530 on my previous attempt. Is it worth mentioning the 70 point increase in my optional essay?
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Source: — Ask Stacy Blackman |

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by Lisa Anderson » Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:01 am
Dear sme0928,

Congratulations on your 70 point increase! Since your official score report shows your previous three test attempts, the school will see your substantial increase. As such, you do not need to write an optional essay noting that you have the increase. Now, if you are writing the optional essay to make the case that you have the quantitative ability to succeed in the program, and you want to use the new GMAT score as evidence of your ability, then that is different and might be worth including. But, you don't need to write an optional essay about the increase in your GMAT score, in and of itself.

Good luck,
Lisa
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