very confused!

[udiudi]

Dear Stacy

A very good day to you.

I recently gave my GMAT and got a 700 (90 percentile).The breakup was Quant -47 (79 percentile) Verbal 38 (83 percentile) and AWA 5.0
.This was my 2nd attempt ,as in my first attempt I had got 640.I am very confused whether I should retake the GMAT and try to hit 750+.
I have about 7 years work experience in the merchant shipping which is a bit of a diverse field.Moreover I have travelled extensively in my career.This is just to give you a brief outline.Please advise me as I am utterly confused.My target schools are Cambridge Judge,Oxford Said ,ISB and HKUST.
Your advise eagerly awaited.

Thanks

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear udiudi,

Congratulations on your new score! Raising your score by greater than 40 points is tough and you got your score up 60--great job! Depending on how well you write your essays and the strength of your recommendations, I'm not sure you need to increase your GMAT at this point. Your score should be close to or above the average for your target schools. I think it will be how well you present yourself in your essays, resume and interview that will result in an offer of admission for you. A higher score will not hurt you, but it is not clear you need to score higher than a 700 either. If I were you, I would spend the time on the rest of the application rather than on preparing for another GMAT attempt.

Good luck,
Lisa

[udiudi]

Dear Lisa

Thank you so much for the advise.It was badly needed.I have spoken to a few people and they suggested the same thing but I needed some professional help,which I got from you.Thanks.
Since I am planning to go for MBA in 2010,I have plenty of time at hand and therefore plan to add to my profile by some extra activities.However, Dont u think a score of 750+ will zoom my chances ,but the point is not the score.it is the admission.does a better application with a 700 score weighs more than an average application with 750+.If I am not wrong schools like Judge and Said lay less emphasis on score and more on qualitative aspect.

[Lisa Anderson]

Simply having a high GMAT like a 750 will not guarantee admission nor make that applicant look better than those with lower scores. The GMAT is not the most important component to your application--it is one of many components that are weighted equally. There are applicants that are rejected every year with GMAT scores in the 700s--the reason they are rejected is that they offer nothing else but a high GMAT. Thus you still need to have good essays, recommendations and interviews no matter how high your GMAT is.

Good luck,
Lisa

[udiudi]

Dear Lisa

Thank you so much.I will finally go with the application.