It’s not great but schools kind of rely on Indians and Asians to take care of the foundation for the GMAT average (for schools that disclose, GRE as well) and when an applicant's stats are lower than the class average there would have be a very compelling and well-articulated upside (or celebrity) for them to get in despite this.
In years previous, most schools did not publish their GRE scores so it was a bit of a back door; if you were underrepresented with a lowish score it wasn't factored into rankings so no big deal as long as you have a quant score that shows you can do the math. Or have some other evidence of quant aptitude.
However now the GRE is largely published for most schools. And this strategy isn't really effective for most overrepresented applicants. It is when they want to scoop up the diversity you offer in some form, or the promise of some unique contribution you can make; this diversity/contribution so compelling they are willing to deprioritize your test score in the evaluation process.
I feel at this point, the Executive Assessment (EA) represents a similar type of opportunity - you won't find an average EA score for any the schools accepting it. If you are part of an overrepresented demographic (Indian, Asian, white male to a lesser degree) and you can't pull up your GMAT or GRE to something a bit over the average, or the GMAT, do the EA route and apply to those schools. Top schools among these include CBS, NYU, Duke, Darden, Tepper, Texas and Georgetown.
You aren’t contributing to the GMAT or GRE averages, so that is a bit of a disadvantage, but if you can put together compelling applications, to where there is enough interest in everything else you bring, AND IT ISN’T COSTING THEM ANYTHING IN TERMS OF AVERAGES (read: rankings), you have better odds. In sum, it would be better if you help pull the GMAT or GRE wagon EA is not published, but if you have a good enough EA quant, and they are really interested in you, at least it isn’t costing them anything if they pick you.
To expand your school list, IF you have B or better grades in 80% of your quant classes (stats, calculus important) then I would recommend you go for the waiver option for Ross and Cornell, (MIT if you want to dream a little and have a B or better in stats and calculus.) To note, several possibly most of the schools accepting waivers also accept the EA; waiver acceptance criteria vary from school to school (work experience, GPA, CFA, test accessibility, etc.)
One final note, as someone overrepresented, to increase your odds apply EA or Round 1. They can’t pack the whole class full of one nationality so early bird gets the worm, ceteris paribus. Your admissions chances further increase if you choose the binding option.
#mba hashtag#Overrepresented hashtag#lowstats
7 days free access to Bloomberg GMAT prep
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILSFree e-GMAT Algebra Masterclass Dec 3rd 2023, 7:30-9:30 AM IST
Learn how to master the most challenging Inequalities and Absolute Value problems with ease.
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILSExclusive GMAT Focus Strategy Webinar
Craft your personalized GMAT success strategy with guidance from GMAT Focus expert Rajat Sadana. Dec 2nd 7:30-9:30 IST
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILSStrategy - Executive Assessment for Full-Time MBA Programs
Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
- MBA_Coach
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2016 3:28 am
- Location: Sacramento, CA
Strategy - Executive Assessment for Full-Time MBA Programs
by
MBA_Coach » Wed Jun 08, 2022 7:06 am
https://mbaprepcoach.com
Getting MBA Applicants into Top 10 Business Schools
Getting MBA Applicants into Top 10 Business Schools
• Page 1 of 1

5/5
5 Star (453 Reviews)
"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."
"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."
"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."
GMAT Course Reviews
Admissions Consulting Reviews
FREE GMAT PREP RESOURCES
GMAT PREP DEAL TRACKER
- ONLY $85
- SAVE $300
- ONLY $99
- $150 OFF
- 50% OFF
- SAVE $75
- 100% OFF