Working While Studying For The GMAT, Do Schools Care?

[DevitaN]

Hello,

I have been reading a lot about people taking their GMATs. Many I see are currently unemployed and looking to take advantage of the high unemployment rates by attending B-School, or at least getting their GMATs out of the way. I currently work fairly long hours. (leave my house at 7 and do not get back until 7-8. I spend 2 hours a night worth of studying.

Basically my question is do MBA admissions take this into consideration when evaluating your GMAT scores? e.g. If someone whose resume shows was unemployed for six months scores a 720 and someone who has been working since the day after their graduation scores a 680, would they consider those close to being equal? Do they not care?


Just was wondering.

Thanks,
Nick

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Nick,

How much time you spend studying or your employment situation does not factor into the interpretation of your GMAT score. Your score is your score. In good economic times or bad economic times, people score all over the 200-800 range. There are folks working 80 hour weeks that score in the 700s and folks who are unemployed and studying 30 hours a week who score in the 400s. So, it's not that admissions folks don't care; it is just that from their perspective, your employment situation has no bearing on your GMAT score.

Good luck,
Lisa