Bad GMAT, but good Curriculum

[Librian]

I am from Brazil, I am 26 years old, bachelor in System Information in a good public university in Brazil and I am mastered in Project Management in another good university. My grades (0-10) were 6.7 and 8.7. I had a lot of quant courses such as: statics, finance, economics, etc.

I started my career soon (2008), during my University I won an international competition in Game Development and started my company. Since then I raise money from government, from investors, won other competitions, etc. I got a lot of spotlights, the major was in a national TV program in Brazil that showed Brazilians who was achieving success in the world, and the program showed my team. A vast quantity articles in magazines, in one the CEO of the Microsoft in Brazil recommended our company.

I also opened another company (2011) to create mobile apps.
Finally, I started to teach Project Management in a local university.

(Other important fact is that I also opened an NGO in my City, a young part of Lions Club and I was president during 2 years)

In august this year, I decided to do an MBA. I realized that I will need more worldview of business to could raise more money and really transform my local companies big world companies. I decided to do this MBA in universities which have good culture of teamwork, collaboration and entrepreneurship and also, was in good tech cities such as: San Francisco, LA or Austin.

I choose UT Mccombs and USC Marshall Full Time

I started to study to GMAT, but with two companies and my other job with professor, I did not dedicate the necessary amount of time and also, I did everything alone. I just bought the OG and the Questions/CAT from Manhattan.
As I decided to do the MBA late (by August/September), I had just one attempt to do the GMAT and get the deadline to the second round.

I started my exam and felt very anxious. Consequently, I got a low score. The weird is that my low score is also in quantitative, but I am good in math, once I got many courses which involve quantitative skills. The problem was the pression.

My score was: 570 (Q39 V30, IR 4)

I would like to know what is my chance in be accepted in UT or USC
Should I try next year?
If I tried this year and failed, it would be a negative aspect in my second attempt next year?

I know that a sensate thing would be re-take the exam, but I sadly do not have time. As an international application I need to apply in the second round.
And if I will re-take, I would give me some months to study and be prepared to the pression.

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,
Thanks for your post. You have an interesting profile and have had some experiences that would lend well to essays and to the b-school classroom I'm sure; the biggest drawback as you know is that GMAT. With another 100+ points and strong essays you'd likely have a shot at top programs including the schools you've indicated. Right now it will be very tough, because you'd be trying to overcome a large weakness and compared with applicants who have much higher scores etc. So I wouldn't say no chance, but you're not even within the mid 80% range of accepted applicants at those programs, so that definitely makes it tough. Yes generally I'd advise a re-take, as at that score range it's often even easier to see a large increase with a re-take. And schools take the highest score. But without you can always apply if you would like to, and if it does not work out, yes you can re-apply next year and explain what's changed/improved from prior applications. If a school really wants you, there's a small chance they'd ask you to re-take, or wait list you, or even make an offer. Certainly your start-up experience would be very valued by many business schools, so I hope something works out for you. Let us know and good luck!