Profile Eval, 630 GMAT, 2.5 B.S., 3.7 M.S., 10+ yrs WE

[Scott2010]

Lisa,

Can you please evaluate my profile?

I graduated from Lehigh University, class of 2000, with a 2.5 (2.46) GPA in Electrical Engineering. I did not have good study habits in college, and was also on the track team. I have worked very hard for Lockheed Martin as a test/quality engineer for 5.5 yrs, with two promotions in the last two years, and am now a senior level. I have two great letters of recommendation from a former supervisor and a mentor/job trainer (i.e. not current supervisor). In 2009 I completed a part-time M.S. in Systems Engineering (part quantitative/part engineering management) from George Washington University, with a 3.71 GPA. I will have a little over 10 years of post undergrad experience by next fall.

I took the GMAT in December and scored a 630 (39Q, 38V), 5.0 AWA. I have scored a little high per section on practice tests, though never at the same time, so my previous best was 620. You would think given my engineering background and master's degree that I'd have a higher Quant score than Verbal. I believe it is because I use more verbal communication in my work life.

I am applying to the full time programs at UCLA, USC, University of Chicago, and Yale. The last two schools, while certainly reach schools, my father attended, Yale undergrad, and Chicago GSB for his MBA. I made sure to mention this in my application to Yale, and with Chicago only filled out the part of the form that asks if family members attended Chicago Booth. I would like to stay in CA, though would leave for a great program. I am wrapping my USC R2 app tomorrow. I went to a class visit yesterday and loved it. I really like the strong family feel to the Trojan alumni network, and that is something I want to be a part of! I really hope to get an interview at least.

I would like to re-take the GMAT ASAP after finishing USC's app. I still need to put solid study time, though need to do so before being dinged by other schools that submitted apps to Jan 5th/6th. Given my profile, what GMAT do you think I need to hit? Would a 660 significantly help my chances, as that would put me inside or at the bottom of the middle 80% of all my schools? If I hit a 640 or 650, would that be good enough for USC? Their middle 80% is 640-740. When do you think I should take the exam, given that I have already applied R2 to three schools? With my current score, what do you think my chances are of an interview at USC, which interviews ~60% of their applicant pool????

If I re-take and hit a 660, should I apply to more reach schools? If so, what schools do you think I could gain acceptance?

Sincerely,
Scott

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Scott,

You do want to be inside the mid-80% range for the GMAT if possible. I would think hitting a 670+ would put you in a stronger position at most programs. However, there are folks who do make it in outside the mid-80% range due to the strength of the rest of their application. Thus you should not feel pessimistic about your chances if you submitted a great set of essays and recommendations. It is a positive that you have worked in engineering and already earned a MS with high grades in engineering to demonstrate quantitative aptitude. In my opinion (for whatever that is worth), I think it will come down to how strong you are relative to other applicants the admissions committee likes outside that mid-80%--will you be in the small group that gets an interview? and then the smaller group that gets offered a seat? That is where the strength of your essays, recommendations and (hopefully) interviews will be significant.

Out of the 4 schools you noted, I do think an interview at USC is more likely than the others, but time will tell if you receive that invitation. I do hope you do!

Best of luck,
Lisa