GMAT Question and Schools List

[SarasotaMBAApp]

Hello,

I posted once earlier about my initial MBA research in another thread, but have gained more focus on my MBA plans (and new scores) and have some additional questions. Here are my stats:

GMAT: Take 1: 690 (Q44;V40; Take 2: 700 (Q41;V44)

Undergraduate Experience/GPA:
The University of Texas at Austin, GPA 3.9/4.0
--BA: Plan II Honors
--BA: Theatre and Dance
--Business Foundations Certificate (6 courses from McComb's business school including accounting, management, and MIS)

Work Experience:
Upon graduation from UT, I began interning at a professional regional theatre with a budget of +$4 million which serves over 10,000 subscribers. After eight months, my boss left the company, and I was promoted to department head. I work in the literary/programming department and manage a number of interns. Upon entering an MBA program in Fall 2012, I will have worked full time for 2 years.

Goals:
I am looking to transition from the non-profit arts world to the for-profit, business world. Ideally, I would like to work in human resources and/or project management, particularly in the media industry.

My school choices as of now:
Notre Dame
NYU
Columbia
University of Texas
Boston University (Media Ventures double major)
Michigan
MIT
Harvard
Dartmouth

My questions are:
1) Which GMAT score would be better to report? I re-took the test to both break 700 and raise my math percentile. I accomplished one of my goals! I have undergraduate courses in calculus, statistics, accounting, and finance with mostly A's and few B's. Is this strong enough to show competency in math? Is this something I should address in an optional essay?

2)How does my school list look? Is this a decent range? Also, I plan to apply to a number of these schools through the Consortium.

I know I am asking many questions; answers to any would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear SarasotaMBAApp,

1) Which GMAT score would be better to report? I re-took the test to both break 700 and raise my math percentile. I accomplished one of my goals! I have undergraduate courses in calculus, statistics, accounting, and finance with mostly A's and few B's. Is this strong enough to show competency in math? Is this something I should address in an optional essay?
I would report the 700. While your quant score is higher on the 690, the 700 total is your highest total score. The schools will see both attempts on your official score report; however, many schools do not look at the official report until after a decision has been made to verify your reported score. I do think the combination of your GMAT with the A/B's in quant coursework at UT will demonstrate our competency and aptitude. I do not think an optional essay is necessary in your case unless you have C's, D's or F's on your transcript.

2)How does my school list look? Is this a decent range? Also, I plan to apply to a number of these schools through the Consortium.
Your school list is appropriate for the profile you posted. While you have quite a few top 10 programs, you also have selected reasonable programs that align closely with your goals. My only thought on your list is that you have no true safety option.

Good luck,
Lisa

[SarasotaMBAApp]

Lisa,

Thank you very much for your advice. I'm pretty pleased with my 700, so I'm glad the math won't drag me down to much.

Again, thank you!