Low GMAT - Success stories? Optional essay tips?

[Alessandra2012]

I have my heart set on a number of top 15 schools but I can't seem to raise my GMAT score... only a 580.

I'm looking for some success stories for inspiration. Also, any tips on addressing a low GMAT score in the optional essay without giving a lame excuse? such as "I'm bad at taking standardized tests" I am sure the adcom has heard every excuse in the book.

My letters of recommendation have already been submitted so I would like to continue with the application process.

Thanks guys!

[stevieg]

Hey - just saw the below post and I'm in the same boat, can't seem to get my GMAt higher than 610.

Am looking for some success stories for inspiration. And exactly the same, question, any way of addressing a low GMAT score on the optional essay.

Thanks.

[beatthegmat]

It really depends on the school--a 580 or 610 doesn't seem unusually low for most programs I'm familiar with.

However, if you do wish to discuss your GMAT score, I would do so in a way that frames yourself as a person who's serious about attend business school. For example, if you have a really weak score in math, maybe you can take some supplemental math courses at your local community college and in your essay talk about how you've taken steps to get prepared for b-school.

I think the key to a successful essay discussing the GMAT is that you address your score and then address the steps you've taken to make yourself competitive as an applicant/student since your score. If you haven't done much yet--get started now! Enroll in a community college course, or some other learning channel related to getting prepared to b-school.

The good news about MBA admissions is that admissions committees are more subjective with their choices. Unlike law school, which appears more numbers based (GPA + LSAT), in business school admissions your essays and recommendations probably matter the most (my opinion). Thus the best thing you can do to counteract a weaker GMAT is to have rock-solid essays and recos! This would be my number one focus if I were in your shoes.

Hope that this helps, good luck!

[Gitor]

Hello,

I would like to share my success (at least I think so) story applying with a low GMAT. I scored 610 (37V; 37Q) and decided to apply to my dream schools despite the discouragement of some consultants who said that I would have no chance with such a low GMAT. However, I followed my heart and applied anyway.

I applied to: LBS, INSEAD, IE, Imperial, Warwick and Cass.

So far I was admitted to Warwick and Cass and I did interview with IE last week (awaiting the decision). About Imperial College I have interview scheduled for next week.

With LBS and INSEAD I think my chances are slim (or nill) but since I already have 2 offers (and possibly 2 more) I decided to apply and see what happens.

In short, I think that despite a low GMAT there are several other criteria used in evaluating applicants, so is possible to get in even with low GMAT score. Write good essays and tell them in a very convincing way why you want and need to do an MBA. Demonstrate passion and reality in your essays.

If you have a low quant score, for example, you can also ask to your rec to enhance your quant ability at work and to tell some real example of that...

I hope it helps you... One important thing: Don't give up! YOU are much more than just a GMAT score, so tell them about you!

Cheers

[willypguy]

I want to share my experience here.

I took the GMAT twice this year, first time was on July 29, 2010. I scored a 480(Q29, V27). YES A 480! It was really pathetic, and I was kicking myself in the rear end for it.

So two weeks before my next GMAT exam, I studied, studied, studied. September 13th, 2010 was my second test. I got a 630(Q42, V35). An increase of 150 points in 45 days. Bottom line is if I took the test again, I would probably get a 700, or close to it. I am happy with my 630 though.

Keep trying for your dream schools. Unfortunately, my dream school(The iSchool at Drexel University in Philadelphia) requires the GRE, and I am currently studying for that now. As far as business schools, I am applying to CUNY-Baruch, and Fordham, as well as NYU-Stern(Expecting a ding on that one, though I am in their mid-80% range, technically). Another thing, pay close attention to the school's mid-80% range for the GMAT. Do not go by just solely the average of a particular school.

My profile is GPA 3.093 from a NJ state school, BA in Communication, BA in Mathematics, 3 years work experience for a non-profit as a computer support professional. I am applying for Baruch's MS-Business Computer Information Systems program, Fordham's MS Information Systems program, and Drexel's MS Information Systems program, I am a 29 year old white male.

Good luck.

[ayankm]

Hello,

I would like to share my success (at least I think so) story applying with a low GMAT. I scored 610 (37V; 37Q) and decided to apply to my dream schools despite the discouragement of some consultants who said that I would have no chance with such a low GMAT. However, I followed my heart and applied anyway.

I applied to: LBS, INSEAD, IE, Imperial, Warwick and Cass.

So far I was admitted to Warwick and Cass and I did interview with IE last week (awaiting the decision). About Imperial College I have interview scheduled for next week.

With LBS and INSEAD I think my chances are slim (or nill) but since I already have 2 offers (and possibly 2 more) I decided to apply and see what happens.

In short, I think that despite a low GMAT there are several other criteria used in evaluating applicants, so is possible to get in even with low GMAT score. Write good essays and tell them in a very convincing way why you want and need to do an MBA. Demonstrate passion and reality in your essays.

If you have a low quant score, for example, you can also ask to your rec to enhance your quant ability at work and to tell some real example of that...

I hope it helps you... One important thing: Don't give up! YOU are much more than just a GMAT score, so tell them about you!

Cheers

Gitor, well done. Congratulations. You have done the right thing following your heart and your story however insignificant it seems in the ocean of posts in this forum was enough to raise my morale. I have a score of 660 (49Q, 31V) and I want to get admitted in a top school as well. My choices are: LBS, ESSEC, ESADE, Oxford, Warwick, Cranfield, Manchester & Harvard. I am in the process of writing my essays now and probably wont apply in first round in any of these universities. I want to make sure my essays are as complete as possible.

Why don't you share some of your experiences during the interviews?

Congratulations once again.

[avaluxe]

I'm also in the same boat with a GMAT score of 610 (38v, 35q). My educational background is in communications and journalism, which morphed into working in web communications, which morphed into web marketing. Did I mention that I took a prep course, then retook it after my first attempt (590 - 40v, 31q)? Did I also mention that a close family relative died the day before my second test, and I had to skip her funeral to take the darn GMAT? I swear - I'm living proof of Murphy's Law.

After much crying (hey, I'm female) and stressing, I've decided that, you know what? I've had enough. All I've done for the past 8 months is prepare for the GMAT and b-school. I'm applying with the 610. My undergrad GPA is 3.69, though it was in a liberal arts field from a not-so-stellar/not-horrible school (U of Pittsburgh); I have 9 years of work experience with increasing responsibility, and I've attempted to do more quant-related tasks in my current position; I have a grad degree in journalism with a GPA of at least 3.2 (from NYU - I wonder if Stern will see that as a point in my favor); and I recently took a community college class in stats and earned an A.

I'm not expecting to be accepted to all of my schools (Wharton and NYU are reaches), but at least I'm within range for Carnegie-Mellon, U of Toronto Rotman and SDA Bocconi.

So now comes the time to hope, pray, and write the best freakin' essays anyone's ever seen. And that includes the optional essay pointing out my flaws (I've never had a problem with this), highlighting my successes (more quant at work, A in stats), and proving my dedication to earning an MBA through offering to take more quant classes before next fall, doing pre-term quant work, whatever it takes.