Low GMAT -- realistic expectations?

[cityathrt]

Hi all, I'd greatly appreciate your feedback if you feel like looking at another "chance me" profile.

UG GPA: 3.5 from a top 25 nationally ranked school (going off of US News and World Report here..)
GMAT: 670 (45Q, 37V) --> I'm scheduling a retake as I surprisingly tanked on verbal, I usually see the reverse on my practice exams.
Will have two years experience from accounting advisory in a Big 4 accounting firm.

I'm thinking schools like NYC, USC, Georgetown, and UVA. If say a 670 is all I manage to swing on the GMAT (I get horrible test anxiety), are these schools realistic? Much thanks in advance.

[money9111]

I know you don't want to hear this but it's still early in the application process. Don't put that doubt in your head of only getting a 670. If you got a 670 the FIRST time... odds are in your favor of getting higher the second time around.

[cityathrt]

Hi money9111, thanks for your response. Words of encouragement much appreciated. I'm definitely taking the GMAT a second time -- already schedule it, but I'm making myself be done after the next one regardless of whether my score improves or not. After passing the CPA in the last six months.. I'm really over testing. I think I'll spontaneously combust if I have to spend more time studying.

Do you think my profile makes me competitive for NYC, USC, Georgetown, or UVA? I forgot to mention that I'm an Asian female, if that helps any.

[money9111]

Hi money9111, thanks for your response. Words of encouragement much appreciated. I'm definitely taking the GMAT a second time -- already schedule it, but I'm making myself be done after the next one regardless of whether my score improves or not. After passing the CPA in the last six months.. I'm really over testing. I think I'll spontaneously combust if I have to spend more time studying.

Do you think my profile makes me competitive for NYC, USC, Georgetown, or UVA? I forgot to mention that I'm an Asian female, if that helps any.

honestly... i've seen people get in with all types of profiles as well as rejected with all types of profiles. it's about the story you tell

[odannyboi]

Hi money9111, thanks for your response. Words of encouragement much appreciated. I'm definitely taking the GMAT a second time -- already schedule it, but I'm making myself be done after the next one regardless of whether my score improves or not. After passing the CPA in the last six months.. I'm really over testing. I think I'll spontaneously combust if I have to spend more time studying.

Do you think my profile makes me competitive for NYC, USC, Georgetown, or UVA? I forgot to mention that I'm an Asian female, if that helps any.

You are a CPA? You know you don't need an MBA right? CPA is 3x more desirable than an MBA.

However, your GMAT isn't low at all... it is right near the average at USC, and within the 80% of all the other schools you are looking at. As long as you are in the 80% range, you are good with the gmat portion of the application... however, you need to hit a homerun with the essays and letters of rec. Really good essays can overcome low GMATs, but you don't even have a low GMAT.

[mbagmatclubonline]

A 670 score is very competitive, especially for the schools you listed. Any of the top 10 schools will look at the complete package (career progression, letters of recommendation, interview). Don't count out the interview, I have seen those of GMAT scores of 750 get rejected. And I have seen those with a score of 560 get in. Present yourself well in writing and in person and you will do well.

[Kavita_Singh]

Hello,

Generally most of the applicants have good 4-5 years of work experience. Although it is not just the work experience that counts but also what you did there like-what were your achievements, what initiative you took, what changes you drove in your workplace etc. So if you can show that in 2 years you have demonstrated the skills business schools are looking for you could put in a strong set of essays.

So the quality of your work, your academics and beyond academics will play an important role.

Based on the MBA class profile of your dream schools, the admitted students scored -
NYU: 660-760
USC: 640-740
UVA: 650-740
And Georgetown's: 640-740 in their GMAT exam.

As you are scheduling a retake and hoping to work on the verbal, then academically your chances of getting in could improve.

[scorpion1978]

Hello,

I think you have score well in you GMAT and should focus now on the other parts of your application by starting on your essays. If you have any doubts and want to retake the GMAT later do so .. but i honestly believe that this score along with well written essays and a well written cv will surely set you far.

Also remember to add some extra curriculum activities. It always helps!

Best of Luck.