Profile Evaluation - High GPA, Low GMAT, Work Experience

[IGDonlon]

I was just wondering what my chances were at admission into a UK one year full-time MBA course. I have already received a conditional offer of admission to the University of Edinburgh Business school. However, the offer is pending "award of a satisfactory GMAT score". I checked their website and contacted the school and they said that a score of 600 is preferred but that they may take a lower score. My undergraduate GPA is a 3.81 and a Summa Cum Laude degree honor. I have three years teaching experience. However, my problem is that I took the GMAT once and scored a low 420. I have been studying for a month and will retake the GMAT in a week. My biggest question is will I be denied an offer of admission if my GMAT score doesn't reach a 500 or 600 level? Thanks for your time.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear IGDonlon,

It is hard to predict what the school will do. I think it will greatly depend on your total score, as well as your quant sub-score. The faculty must be confident you can handle the rigor of the curriculum and the GMAT is a valid indicator of academic success in the core courses. Your previous academic history indicates you do well in school, so it is possible you will be allowed to matriculate with a score in the 500s. However, it is also possible that you will not. At this point, I think you should focus on your test preparation, especially the sections that you struggled with the most previously, and do your best next week.

Good luck,
Lisa