Ask Stacy Blackman

Hello,

I am currently wrapping up applications for second rounds at top 10 programs. My profile looks like this:

Current position: $100MM+ revenue global nonprofit
Prior position: Top-tier analyst, $10BN+ i-bank
Extracurricular: Average in college; very light post-grad (80-100 hours with the IB)
Work Exp: 40 months
School: Big 10
GPA: 3.4
GMAT: 720, 5.5AWA

My question concerns my GMAT score - not my current one, but my first two exams.

First, I took the GMAT when I was an undergraduate - the last day of finals exams, after staying up all night to cram for my final, final exam. I did not study for the GMAT, I did not take it seriously, and I did not take a practice exam. I figured, since I had already paid for it, I might as well take it. To this day I still cannot believe I did not elect to cancel the score - I walked out of the testing facility with an atrocious 570 and 4.0 AWA!
Second, I took the exam a little while ago and loud sirens from outside permeated the "soundproof" facility during my Q&V sections. Despite this, I mustered a 670 and 5.5AWA. I reached out to GMAC - they confirmed the disturbance and agreed to waive a fee and let me retake the exam.

Both exams were not accurate representations of my academic background. I have read that adcoms say they only evaluate the top score, but I am wondering if it would be worth my while to compose a brief explanation of why I took the exam three times.

Thank you for taking time to provide your opinion - I truly appreciate it.