640 today and applying for HBS 2+2. retake the GMAT?

[2+2]

Hi guys,

I have scored today 640 (Q43 V34) and I am going to apply for HBS 2+2 program. Should I retake it?
i have also another question: Is it true that B-schools look for diversity in its applicants?

[kapitalist]

Not to be rude or insulting but I dont think that score will get you into hbs unless you have some other outstanding information regarding your background....like your an African midget that fled a worn torn area on a life raft with 2 holes while battling a rare sickness only to survive and overcome. Then you might get in to HBS with that score.

Again, I am not saying this to be mean, but you have to be realistic. Now, with ALL the wallstreet layoffs going on, competition for an mba has intensified. There will easily be more candidates with 700+ scores not getting into HBS because the pool's average will increase dramatically.

Now, if you do get in...CONGRATS!!!, if not, brush it off your shoulder and try again. The test cost $250 every time you take it but its NOTHING compared to the salary, connections, lifestyle, prestige, and opportunities you will have graduating from a top school like that.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes-

A calm sea never made a skilled mariner
-(dont remember who said it, lol)

[Scottie@VeritasPrep]

From the HBS website: The Admissions Board hopes that all applicants will recognize the following: the full range of GMAT scores is very broad, that there is no "minimum" score requirement, and that the GMAT is just one piece of data among the many used to evaluate an application. 50% of the Class of 2009 scored between 700 and 740 on the GMAT.

A 640 is not necessarily a deal breaker however it does mean that the rest of your application needs to be exceptionally strong. Therefore you should have a high GPA, strong LORs, and well written essays.

Business schools do seek diversity within MBA classes so that students can learn from the experiences of others in addition to what they learn in the classroom. It helps if you have a unique background and/or skill set however you still need to be a strong, qualified candidate.

[pJackson79]

A good friend of mine applied to HBS straight from U-grad with EXCELLENT outside credentials and GPA. He scored a 650 and did not get in. I honestly think you need to retake in order to get a chance.

[logitech]

A good friend of mine applied to HBS straight from U-grad with EXCELLENT outside credentials and GPA. He scored a 650 and did not get in. I honestly think you need to retake in order to get a chance.

Well it depends what you call as "excellent" but I am sure an exceptional profile + 650 = Harvard

But most of the people who apply to Harvard have significant backgrounds and a GMAT score that falls on the "mean" will help you to be in the same boat with others.

[2+2]

thanks for your replies. I´m going to retake the GMAT in June and I hope to raise my score then. Can you recommend me a book to improve the sentence correction section? it is clearly my weakest point since English is not my first language.

[VP_Jim]

For what it's worth, I had a student with a 650 get into HBS. I'm not sure about the rest of his application, but you certainly won't be summarily tossed out with a 650! Is a 700 better? Of course... but if your application is otherwise very strong, 650 could do the trick.

As for SC, there's no magic bullet. Get the Official Guide and work the problems. When you do a problem, make sure you:

1. Know what grammatical error type that question is testing,
2. Find some sort of "takeaway" or rule from every problem, and
3. Know why every wrong answer choice is wrong (this is very important).

Good luck!

[jgalapatt]

try manhattan gmat sentence correction.It is helping me.

[OJS]

Hey,

I'm also applying for HBS 2+2. Did my first GMAT today, and scored a 690.

You have more than enough time to retake, so if you realistically think you can improve then I don't see why not - $250 is miniscule compared to the $150k we'll be dishing out in three years' time

I'm retaking mine in June anyway - I'm fairly confident I can improve as I did a grand total of two hours prep for this one.

Best of luck!