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Profile Evaluation-Stern and LBS (GMAT 660 and GPA 3.65/4.0)

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Profile Evaluation-Stern and LBS (GMAT 660 and GPA 3.65/4.0)

by habbaix » Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:42 pm
Hi,

I just completed the GMAT and am evaluating whether it makes sense to retake it. Due to work and time situation, I basically would have to take it again asap (one month wait I believe?) I'd like to avoid cramming again and start focusing on essays, etc. to make intakes in January but if it will improve my chances significantly I'll do it.

Currently, my profile is this:

GMAT: 660, Math: 39 (not good I know) Verbal: 41
GPA in College with International Affairs Major 3.65/4.0
3 years work experience (1yr internship after college, Fulbright, 1yr leading Business Development for small BtoB company)
Languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese

I want to apply to LBS and Stern. Any advice would be extremely appreciated! Thanks so much!
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by essaysnark » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:36 pm
Hey habbaix -- a bit of a tricky situation - let's see what we can do.

First of all, you said you want to go for the January "intakes" - you mean deadlines? Stern has a January start for its P/T program, is that what you're targeting? Just want to make sure we get the right picture.

The 660 is going to be tough for any top school -- but even more so because you're young. We have seen Stern turn down younger candidates with lower GMAT scores. LBS doesn't care about the GMAT score quite as much as many US schools, but LBS does also like ~5 yrs work exp. So the combination may make the schools say, "What's the rush?" In other words, they may turn you down because they feel you are young, you've got time, you should work on strengthening the profile and then they'll consider you.

Of course, very few schools will actually TELL you that when they reject you (some schools do offer feedback if you make it to the waitlist before being rejected but not many do this).

A 660 isn't a bad score - in fact, it's darn difficult to get a score that high! But the quant side may make them nervous, as you have deduced. And, your background doesn't appear to have much (any?) heavy quant stuff at all, certainly not your undergrad.

That undergrad GPA is nice though - the schools will like that! And yay Fulbright! Another plus.

The basics of your background look totally relevant and you seem set up strong... but that GMAT may be a cause for concern, unfortunately. We hate to say it but we do think another shot at the test will help, at least if we're talking these powerhouse schools.

One strategy you might consider, this is risky but it could work: Focus on the NYU essays now, get those built up to be super-duper awesome -- it will take you more time than you expect, believe us on this -- and then see where you're at in terms of timing. Yes, you need to wait a month before you can schedule another test anyway, but you also will want to carve out room to do some good prep for the next attempt, to be sure you get a good bump.

So you finish the essays, and you dive back into studying, and you schedule your test date ... in January. Like, towards the middle or end of the month, whatever you feel will give you adequate time for another round of prep.

And you submit your apps for the January deadlines, and you tell the schools you're retesting on January X.

They *might* hold off on evaluating your candidacy until they get your new score. They do not have to do this, and they may end up assessing on the original 660, or if those essays really are as spectacular as we're sure you'll be making them :wink: they might put you on the Rd 2 backburner... and then when you're fabu 700 comes in they will have an easy decision. :D

You don't want to apply in the last round, but there may be some different possible strategies to play with for the January round. LBS has a Rd 3 in March that is an option too - and wow is this a long email.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas to consider! Lots to think about, no one-size-fits-all response unfortunately...

Let us know if we can (try to!) help further!!
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by habbaix » Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:36 am
Thanks so much Essay Snark for your advice! The option to still apply by January deadlines and submit new scores afterward is especially helpful and an option I hadn't considered. I also did glaze over the essays required so will most likely need to really think about pushing retake out to January in order to have enough time to both study and write these.

Very helpful and much appreciated!
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by essaysnark » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:20 am
Cool, glad to help - yes, NYU and some other schools are known to be applicant-friendly re: submitting updated scores. It's not a guaranteed strategy but it might work!! Do keep us posted, we would love to hear updates as you go, and let us know if we can help!

EssaySnark
EssaySnark has MBA application guides for HBS, Stanford, Booth, Wharton, NYU and pretty much any other school you can name - including a fully revised and expanded 2015 Columbia essay guide!
https://essaysnark.com/bookstore/
* * * * * * *
The Indians' Guide to Getting In maps out everything you need to evaluate your own profile and select your schools. https://essaysnark.com/ssguide/quicksnar ... ans-guide/
* * * * * * *
MILITARY CANDIDATES! We've got some pro bono offers just for you: https://essaysnark.com/military-mba/
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