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To Do or not To Do GMAT again? that's the question

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To Do or not To Do GMAT again? that's the question

by tolmar » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:43 am
Hello Lisa,

Thanks again for all your help in this forum. I don't think you know how much you help to people from all around the world. Your place in heaven is assured, I'll tell you this!

I have a dilemma regarding the GMAT score. I've got 640 today and I want to apply to the January semester in Columbia. This is below their average.
The problem is that because of the rolling admission in Columbia, I'm afraid that taking the test again next month, and then submitting the application will hurt me since there will be less places vacant in the program.

My dilemma is that on the one hand I've got my application and I can submit it with this score. and on the other hand I think I can score in the 680 range. Do you think that an extra 30-40 points are worth the extra time that I will "lose" in the admission queue? will some extra 30 points will make the difference?

I've already asked Columbia regarding their policy on submitting the application and updating the GMAT scores later on, and I'm waiting for an answer.

Thank you for any advice on this.
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by Lisa Anderson » Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:43 pm
Dear tolmar,

Without seeing your application, it is hard to say whether or not a 30-40 point difference will matter. Anything less than 30 points will most likely not matter. I think you have to determine how strong you feel the rest of your application is versus Columbia's applicant pool. If you believe the rest of your application is outstanding, then it might not be worth trying to retake the GMAT again as the 640 is not out of the total range (just closer to the bottom than the average). Even if you submit your application but ask the school to wait for new scores, you will not enter the queue for review until the score is received. Basically, you either need to gamble on your current score or on the likelihood you will increase your score at least 30 points.

Good luck,
Lia
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by tolmar » Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:56 pm
Lisa thanks again.

I do feel than when you apply earlier you have more chance because the class is not yet "closed". I do feel that near the deadline you have to be more close to the "standard". Is that seems right to you regarding your experience with columbia rolling admission?
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by Lisa Anderson » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:18 am
Dear tolmar,

With rolling admissions, decisions are being made as applications come in. Thus as the deadline approaches, there are fewer seats available than when the review period began. So waiting until the final deadline is not the best strategy in this case. It is better to try to submit during the first half of the entire review period.

Good luck,
Lisa
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