The Application Process

Hi all,

This is my first post here and I'm chasing some advice. I just sat the GMAT for the first time and am disappointed with my score. Trying to decide whether to re-sit as I'm aiming for admission to Harvard, Tuck or Booth.

My profile is below. As you can probably tell by my GMAT score I'm good with writing so I'm backing my ability to write convincing essays and have good recommenders. Not many Australians apply to the big US schools so I figure that will be an advantage for me as will my background in a different industry (sport).

Should I re-sit or should I back my ability to make a convincing case in other ways?

Any insight is appreciated!

My profile:
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Eth: Caucasian
Nationality: Australian
Current Location: Perth, Australia
GMAT: 630 (34q, 42v)
Work Exp: 6 years in the sports industry as corporate communications type. On the senior management team at my current employer, have two direct reports.
Applying: For class of 2013
Undergrad: BCommerce and BCommunications from Australian College
Other activities: Board member of my hockey club, volunteer hockey coach for 10 years, former Board member of my Church at both State and local level, selected as "emerging leader" in sport industry for my State

The experts will probably have their say, too, but from what I've heard a 630 would make it really tough at schools like Harvard and Chicago. Their averages are significantly over 700, so 630 would put you in the bottom 5% or so of the class, and that's a tough place to be. If you think you can pull your score up I'd recommend trying that as it sounds like you'd be a good candidate but that score could pretty easily be what keeps you out. Just my take...

I would definitely give it another try. As mentioned, you're not even within their 80% percentile range (which is usually somewhere around 650-750). Everything else in your app would have to be stellar.

Moreover, with your 630 it wouldn't look good because it shows that you didn't even bother re-taking the GMAT to get a higher score. If your score is below average, going for a GMAT a second (or even third) time shows your commitment and that you're serious about attending b-school.

Appreciate your feedback guys.

My initial reaction on the day of my test was "no way am I going to sit it again" but now a few days later I'm done a 360 degree turn and am definitely going to re-sit.

I watched one of the Tuck admissions videos and they said the majority of their applicants sit it more than once. I also thought that given my Quant score was so low there is serious room for improvement. I'm confident in my Verbal ability (it's essentially what I do for my job) so no need to study that, I'll do 30 days of math to get me up near 700.

Hey Dockersbloke!

You sound just like the clients I work with (non-traditional applicants aiming for top schools), and yes, I suggest that you take the test again. I got admitted to HBS with a 620 GMAT (only took it once), but it is a rare occurrence.

You do sound quite confident in your candidacy as far as your story goes, so make sure your essays are stellar!

Good luck!

Kaneisha