Advice Needed - GMAT 600, GPA 3.8

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:17 pm

Advice Needed - GMAT 600, GPA 3.8

by Ronjamin » Tue Jun 26, 2012 8:31 pm
I just took the GMAT for the first time and got a 600 (36Q,36V). I was quite anxious the night before and got VERY little sleep. My three most recent practice tests ranged from 600 to 680, so I know that I have it in me to do better. However, the time commitment is difficult for me as I work long hours and have a wife and two young kids that demand my time as well. I have no intention of shooting for a top 10 school. I do, however, want to go to a respected program that is going to pay off in the end. My GPA is 3.8 from Arizona State (computer info systems), graduated summa cum laude. I have 4 years work experience now at a telecommunications company, and will have 5 by the time I plan to enter an MBA program (fall 2013).

My list of schools are:

Michigan State
Penn State
Brigham Young University
Southern Methodist University
Texas A&M
Arizona State (evening) - this is a security choice, pretty sure I can get in

What do you think my chances are of getting in to these programs? Should I consider any others? Am I shooting too high? Too low? I like that Michigan st and Penn st have supply chain/operations concentrations. My wife tells me to just apply but I don't want to spend the time if I won't get in. What to do?????????
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:51 am
Your wife is right: apply!
But not "just". Do it smartly. With lots of work, and a good strategy. And I think the first step to do is relatively easy: Retake the GMAT.


With a 680 you will get into a MUCH better school, and be on the level of potentially getting scholarship money from these schools on your list.

It's a pain in the butt, but given that your entirely salary, job, scholarship etc. might hang on this, and that you are testing much higher than you did, aint it worth it?
Last edited by Jon@Admissionado on Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:17 pm

by Ronjamin » Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:12 pm
Thanks for the advice. As painful as I know it will be, I'd rather not have any regrets, so I'll study some more and give it another shot while I have time.

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:23 am
Location: Los Angeles/NY
Thanked: 58 times
Followed by:11 members

by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:29 am
Retake for sure! 600 is not where you want to be. And if you get your 680, you may even be able to get into a higher ranked school vs your list given your impressive gpa!

Alex
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:17 pm

by Ronjamin » Fri Aug 24, 2012 2:05 pm
Just retook the GMAT today. I got a 640 (Q:43 V:35). Should I adjust any of my target schools? What are my chances with UT - McCombs?

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:23 am
Location: Los Angeles/NY
Thanked: 58 times
Followed by:11 members

by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Fri Aug 24, 2012 2:17 pm
Congrats on the improvement. A 640 is defintely better, but will still put you in the bottom @30% for gmat for McCombs. Given your strong gpa and work experience, you may want to take a shot with some great essays rather than spend your time retaking. Bottom line: your gmat is still a red flag but you have improved your case.

Alex
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178