710 GMAT, Low Quant

[wisebrain]

I am applying to HBS, Wharton, Stanford, NYU, Kellogg, and Columbia this year. I got a 710 (92%), v.41 (92%) q.47 (79%). I am nervous that my quantitative score is below the magic 80% mark that top schools look for.

At the same time I am not planning to take the GMAT again since I've already taken it twice and don't feel like my score will improve dramatically.

I studied accounting and finance from a state university and graduated with a 3.9. I work in financial management consulting.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PUT MY QUANTITATIVE ABILITIES IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT?

[Cindy Tokumitsu]

Hello,

For starters, your quant GMAT score is only one point below the desired 80%, and it’s not like this is a qualification with a cutoff where all people with < 80% will be disqualified. The adcom will be looking overall to make sure you have the knowledge/skills to handle the quantitative rigor of the program. With your high grades (presumably also in quant courses) and your work in finance (presumably involving some use of quantitative methods), your record itself addresses and mitigates possible concern over that point. To highlight this skill set further, you can have your recommenders mention your strong quant/analytic skills if they’re open to input and/or describe your quantitative work via your resume or the application form.

Actually with the strong quantitative record (undergrad, work), I would suggest emphasizing other things in the essays, as you’ve already proven that point. Talking about your quantitative abilities in your essays would be redundant and you could use the space better to address other things that will not be readily apparent elsewhere.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com