Feedback Appreciated: 3rd rounds, or take chance now?

[mike_]

Hi Admission Conusultants,

Currently going back and forth regarding what steps I should take next.

Based on the schools I am interested in: Georgetown, CMU, Duke, part time Haas. Need advice if my application will be considered and can get passed the 80 % gmat target?

6 years experience at a Fortune 100company currently focused on solar technology group: 3 promotions and am currently a Manager level. Experience is varying from "R&D to Business Management to Business Process Development". would like to focus on my unique experience in the ability to work in a business from the beginning stages of R&D to the customer negotiations.

Undergrad: GPA of 3.1 in a high impact Mathematics/Economics degree at a top 30 univerisity. Switched majors from Econ to a calculas based economics program which caused me to take high level Calculas/linear algebra courses. Which affected my GPA as it was a highly impacted major.

GMAT : This was where I would have liked to solidify the Undergrad, but ended up with a 620 (40 V, 36 Q). 5.5 AWA

Extra: Completed programs in Six sigma. Member of Reading partners helping underprivlidged children excel in reading, Organizer of Company Newspaper and several other duties.

So based on this quick synopsis. I am currently debating whether my GMAT/GPA will stop my application from first stages of review. I am considering taking the GMAT once more, but based on what I have been reading on other sites it might be warranted for me to apply this year.

Apply round 2 and focus on application?
Retake GMATs and apply round 3?


Any advice is appreciated.

MIke

[mbamission]

Hi Mike -

The GMAT score must have been frustrating, and I agree you should try to retake it - I'm afraid a 620 combined with a 3.1 gpa (even at a good school in a challenging major) makes all your schools stretches; Georgetown and the Haas part-time programs are probably your best shot but even there your GMAT/gpa combination will be an obstacle (despite the other strengths in your profile).

However, I don't advise applying R3. So few people get in that round - I know of one school that usually has about a 20% acceptance rate that in R3 last year accepted just 3 out of 300 applicants.

Why are you so against what seems to me to be the most logical option - focusing on your GMAT and applying in R1 next year?

Jessica Shklar
Senior Consultant
mbaMission
www.mbamission.com