Please Help Evaluate

[escallonia]

I scored 690 on the GMAT about one year ago and I am trying to decide whether or not to retake the test. I'm particularly concerned with my low quant score, and hope to bring it up. I took the test last time after a Kaplan prep course, and can't afford to take the course again, so would be on my own this time, which makes me a bit nervous. I plan on applying to school to enter fall of 2011 and want to shoot for some of the top programs - ideally I'd like to be in Chicago: Kellogg, Booth or perhaps Michigan.
Please review the following information and let me know if you have any advice. Thank you in advance.

General Info:
Female
24
US citizen

Education
College of William and Mary '08
BBA in Marketing with a concentration in Accounting, Double major in International Relations
3.87 (Overall)
Summa Cum Laude
Received A's in the following math classes in undergrad: Calc I, Statistics, Principles of Accounting, Financial Reporting & Analysis, Strategic Cost Management and received an A- in Financial Management. I don't know if that's enough to help my quant score.

GMAT
690 (88%) V 44 (97%) Q 41 (61%) AWA 6.0 (87%)

Professional Experience
2 years (when applying) as a communications consultant for the defense industry at a top governmental consulting firm. Promoted at my one year mark which is unusually quick at my firm.
Extensive event planning work with an internationally focused work group - bring in speakers, panels, plan multicultural events, etc.
Summer business development internship with NYC event marketing firm during college. Worked at a small advertising company for one year during college. Assisted two professors with their research

Extracurriculars:
Current -
I do some volunteer work with a national nonprofit.
I run in my free time.
Undergrad -
Resident Assistant
Sorority Treasurer, Sorority Risk Manager
Student mentor
Member of several clubs
Honor Societies: Mortar Board Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Order of Omega Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa.

Long term goals: I'd eventually like to get my PhD and teach - in Marketing, or Consumer/Organizational Behavior
Please evaluate my profile and let me know if you think I should be retaking the test in an attempt to get in to a top program. Thank you.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear escallonia,

Honestly, I don't know that you need to retake the GMAT. A higher quant score won't hurt you, but if your total score goes down, then it won't matter. A 41 is not ideal, but it isn't a dealbreaker in your case. With your high GPA and A's in your quant classes, you definitely have evidence of quantitative aptitude in your profile. I think you have a shot with your current score and a strong overall application. Based on your post, you have the foundation for a competitive application for your target schools.

Since you have only taken the GMAT once, it might be worth taking it again though and seeing if you can bring it up. You can self-study and see how you do--just wait to send your scores until after the test when you know the score.

Good luck,
Lisa