Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi...first, let me say that this is an awesome resource and a great motivation for those of us in the application process.

Here is my situation:
Want to apply to schools ranked in the top 15 range (Darden, McCombs, UCLA). 3.3 GPA from technical background at a large university. 5yrs work exp at Fortune 50 company in an engineering role with steady progression and some international travel/business. Have studied abroad in China and am from an Asian background. My goal would be to concentrate in international business with focus on marketing.

Problem is a lower than expected gmat of 610. I know this may not 'kill' my application, but I'm wondering what my chances realistically are. I could retake, but some schools have rolling admission, so time is a factor as well.

I have questions galore...but the first three would be:
1. Do I have a realistic shot with a 610 at at top 15 school?
2. Am I better off waiting another month or two to retake the test but risk applying later into a rolling admissions pool?
3. What is the best way(if any) to "spin" a lower gmat on an optional essay?

Thanks so much for any feedback!!

Hi baratometer,

I'm sorry to hear the GMAT didn't work out as well as you had hoped.

1. I would be a bit concerned about a 610, since it is in the outlier range for most of the top 15 schools. There are certainly people who are admitted with lower than average schools, but it is also definitely a weakness.

2. It may be worth retaking your GMAT after you submit your application, you should check your particular target schools, but most programs allow additional information like this after the deadline. I wouldn't wait too long in a rolling admissions process.

3. Spinning a low GMAT in essays is tough - it is one of those factors that you have the option to improve, so the reader is going to wonder why you didn't re-take the test if you weren't satisfied with the score. I advise focusing on the academic areas where you are strong, for an argument about why your GMAT is not an accurate predictor of your academic promise.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Amy...thanks for the quick feedback!

I think I will try to retake and in the meantime wrap up the other parts of my application. I was wondering if you knew though, if say I went ahead and submitted my application and then re-took the gmat whether they would make a decision based on my first score before my retake ever got there. I was worried about possibly being rejected before my additional data was available to them...


Thanks!

Hi baratometer,

Yes, that is the risk you take. The admissions evaluation process is probably long enough to allow you to take the GMAT fairly soon after the deadline and hope that it will be considered. This is something you may want to call your target schools directly about, they will have a good idea of how much time after the deadline is acceptable to them.

Good luck!

Amy