Evaluation Request (GMAT 710)

[astoria17]

Hi, I am Asian applicant heading for application on 1st round this year (Class of 2017) for full time two year MBA programs in US.

This month I finally got over 700+ after long devastating score of 500s and 600. The score was low because of my verbal, especially on CRs and RCs. I am worried whether this "5th attempt", "under 600s until 4th attempt","18 month (very long..!) to reach 700+" will critically harm the application process.

5th 2014/Jan 710 (Q49, V38)

My current "Dream School" is to get into one of the top 3(HBS, Stanford, Wharton), but I self evaluate that 1) Age (30 may be too late) and 2) GMAT(5th attempt) & GPA (may not be enough) are negative factors. (My personal prospective for acceptance is 10-20%)

My "realistic Dream School" is Columbia, Sloan, Haas, and Tuck. I hear those schools are very good as well . (My personal prospective for acceptance is around 50%) I wonder if my prospect is fair enough..

Generally speaking, I wonder if I can have advice whether these backgrounds are suitable for top 5, top 10, or top 15 in US business schools (or maybe top 20). Also, it would be glad to know which is my strengths and weaknesses. Thanks!!

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Thanks for your post and your thorough info on your background. Here's how I see it....

Strengths:

-international experience! This stands out to me and I would highlight it, and demonstrate what you've learned from it-- how has it affected who you are now and your ability to work with others from different cultures/backgrounds? Your general teamwork skills? Your goals (if relevant)?
-solid work experience from basic info you've provided
-respectable GMAT in the end

Unknowns:

-extracurricular activities/involvements?
-volunteering/giving back to the community?
-more about your work experience; accomplishments, making an impact etc
-recommendations, essays, interviews
-more in-depth explanation of your goals, and potentially a breakdown of short vs long term post MBA goals


As to your questions.... first of all, GMAT. Schools take the highest score. Reason being, with the GMAT being an adaptive test, theoretically you can't GUESS your way to a higher score than your ability level.... but of course you could have a bad day. So, if you have scored 710 on an adaptive exam, then you ARE capable of a 710 which is a good thing. I wouldn't stress too much about the prior scores at this point. Plus can't change it now-- have to focus your energy on what you CAN change/affect-- your essays first and foremost!

As for schools, chances at top 3 WILL be difficult. Biggest reason for that is the large # of qualified applicants they receive... probably even more than anything specific in your background, just the sheer challenge of standing out and beating out so many others... in other words, so many well qualified applicants do get turned away from top schools because it is so competitive.

Yes I'd think you'd be best on track, with a standout application and essays, for schools ranked 5-15 or so. You can still apply to 1 or more top 5 schools if desired, up to you, certainly not impossible. And you could apply to a school outside the top 15 or so for more of a safety option if desired. Just be sure you research all of the schools thoroughly and know WHY you are interested in each (and convey that in the application too). Don't apply anywhere you wouldn't actually consider attending!

Good luck, please let us know what other q's you have.

[elainefcrump]

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[astoria17]

Dear mbamissionjenK,

Thank you so much for your impressive and detailed comments. They were so persuasive and clear, making me clear what the next step will be.

I am also glad to know that 5th attempt may not be "critical", even though top 3 may be a big challenge.

I have one more question to ask regarding top3;
If I completed essay & recommendation letters and have fair time to spare, will 6th try to get 750+ enhance the possibility for top 3?

710 means 92 percentile, so there are 8% of people who are the same or above the score. So, suppose we have 100K applicants in the world, 8,000 people will be competitor within the range, whereas only 2,000 seats for top 3.

If I take 750, this means only 2% left to compete, leaving around 2,000 seats, almost equal to seats for top3.

Honestly speaking, I do not have more "world/country record" or "historical achievements" that I can write on the regime than what I wrote in this site above.

Yes, I can write about the future - but since everybody have equal chance to write about the future, I cannot believe that they will become a critical factor, since so many essay consultants are widely used.

Many people say "If you get over 700+, everybody will be the same", but I am not sure. Average GMAT score for top 3 is becoming higher and higher every year. (Average was around 700 few years ago, but now its around 730.)

So, if I take 750+ until the application deadline, do you think probability will enhance ? (say currently ; 10% to after 750+, 30% ?)

Thanks again.

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Well you've definitely demonstrated an analytical mindset with all of your detailed and thorough thought processes re: that GMAT! ;) Personally I wouldn't focus time/energy on another re-take; I think you will make MORE impact by investing that same time/energy on your essays. A very compelling set of essays will likely help you stand out more and be remembered more than a slightly higher GMAT at this point, and there's the chance you will not improve or not much at this point in time. Keep in mind that b-school admissions IS a holistic process and the adcomm aims to treat each applicant as a full person and get to know him or her..... the GMAT is one (important, yes) criteria and info point, but you can't say that if you are in the 92nd percentile you are ONLY competing against that 8% or if you were in 98th percentile you're only competing against that 2%.... sure, higher scores will help... but, more and more the higher you get on the scale, someone can stand out in OTHER ways such as specific accomplishments, specific experiences and stories, creativity and innovation in the essays, unique attributes, experiences that others in the class do not have.... and maybe someone with a 700 has some of those that a 750 scoring applicant does not.... they may beat out that 750.... those with the highest score are still not guaranteed a spot, especially at the most competitive schools.

So ultimately, think more about how you'll stand out from others in different ways, beyond just the GMAT.

Hope that provides some food for thought!