Need to shortlist schools. GMAT 710, Current work ex 2 years

[aditisinha]

Hi,

i took my GMAT yesterday and got a score of 710 (well below expectations based on mock GMAT's ). i am an Economics graduate (Bachelors and Masters in Economics from Delhi University and Gokhale Institute Pune, India respectively). I have been an A grader all my life with a distinction in my post graduation. i will have 2 years of work experience by August 2011.

I am a li'le confused as to which schools are realistically within my range and which one's could have a fifty percent chance of accepting me. Below are the schools that i have been considering given my GMAT and background:

Dream:
Tuck, Booth, Kellogg, IESE Spain, HEC Paris, Duke, Tepper etc

Reach:
ISB, NUS, Asian mgt school- Manila, (Please add some schools here!)

There are 2 questions that i need to ask here:
- Should i take the GMAT again? IT may increase my score by say about 20-30 points or may not but in any case, most schools consider the higher of the two scores so that shouldn't be a problem. But it obviously makes sense to retake the GMAT only if it realistically increases the number/chances of schools that will accept me. To evaluate this, i must know if the current score definitely prohibits my chances at any of the school's mentioned above.
- Secondly, i am not too sure if I'm offering enough work ex on my application. At this rate, i will have about 3 years work ex by the time i begin school in 2012. Is that good enough for schools to consider me?

Looking forward to any comment or advice on this. THanks a ton.

[Tani]

Your 710 is equal to or above the average for people accepted to your target schools. Most people who retake the test from that level get lower scores. Also, retaking sends a signal to the school that you are focusing on metrics and not on the quality of your contribution to the class. Focus instead on putting together a sparkling and persuasive application.

Top schools are notoriously competitive. They turn down 80-90% of applicants from an outstanding pool of exceptional people. There are never any guarantees. Certainly with your background you should be applying to top schools, but you are wise to include a few safety schools. Any school with GMAT average in the mid 600s should be a safety school for you if the rest of your application is strong.

Two years at the time of applying is the low end of experience. Particularly in technical fields it offers little chance for true management experience. Schools are looking for leadership and managerial qualities and those are hard to demonstrate if you have been an individual producer. Some of your competitors will have 5 to 10 years' experience or more and have led large teams of producers. You will have to work hard to differentiate yourself from the other Indian applicants with strong technical backgrounds. Consider using an admissions consultant to help you put together the strongest possible story based on your background.

Good luck,

[venmic]

Hi Tami

I've already written the GMAt twice now but my scores were terribly bad 500 range and so Im going to retake it my target score is 700 (680) atleast
I have a Masters in Computer Applications and come from a Technical background worked in the US for 4-5 years - as a Business Analyst and a Technical Lead..
Can you please let me know what is a good score for my background. Writing it 3 times is it bad for my application?

Thanks

Your 710 is equal to or above the average for people accepted to your target schools. Most people who retake the test from that level get lower scores. Also, retaking sends a signal to the school that you are focusing on metrics and not on the quality of your contribution to the class. Focus instead on putting together a sparkling and persuasive application.

Top schools are notoriously competitive. They turn down 80-90% of applicants from an outstanding pool of exceptional people. There are never any guarantees. Certainly with your background you should be applying to top schools, but you are wise to include a few safety schools. Any school with GMAT average in the mid 600s should be a safety school for you if the rest of your application is strong.

Two years at the time of applying is the low end of experience. Particularly in technical fields it offers little chance for true management experience. Schools are looking for leadership and managerial qualities and those are hard to demonstrate if you have been an individual producer. Some of your competitors will have 5 to 10 years' experience or more and have led large teams of producers. You will have to work hard to differentiate yourself from the other Indian applicants with strong technical backgrounds. Consider using an admissions consultant to help you put together the strongest possible story based on your background.

Good luck,

[Tani]

The pool of technical applicants applying to business school in the US is both enormous and highly competitive. With a score in the 500s you will not be a strong candidate for a top-ranked school. Even with a 700 score, you will have to have an exceptional work background, sparkling essays and killer recommendations to have a chance.

"Good" scores are never enough. The GMAT is only one element in your application. Also. schools tend to frown on people who retake the test multiple times. The message you give is that you are focusing on the wrong aspect of your application. Remember, all the top schools turn down many people who score 800 on the test.

As a technical applicant you will need to show ow your background differs from that of the other IT applicants. Schools will be looking for people skills and leadership experience, not simply technical ability. You will need to choose your recommenders carefully and work to craft essays that are both clear and convincing.

Good luck,