Profile Evaluation-GMAT Retake?

[SamuelG889]

Hi! US citizen looking to apply to European or Asian MBA programs. I'm a bit late in the game for this year (2017), but I figured that since my GMAT expires in April, its either apply now or retake! Any thoughts on the below schools or programs that would be a better fit? Should I retake the GMAT? Appreciate any advice!

Age: 31
680 GMAT V41 Q42
GPA 3.47 (took longer to graduate as a worked full-time, so my transcripts will look strange)
3.5 years in Financial Services, with ESL teaching in Japan in-between. Currently work at Deutsche Bank (Jax not NYC)
Strong verbal, so I imagine my essays will be strong

I see opportunities all over DB where I could contribute, would really love to accelerate my growth with an MBA. I was scoring in the 720s, but didn't perform on test day. This was years ago, so probably 3 months of studying to retake, which would put me out of this cycle and into next year (2018).

Top programs in order of preference:

Oxford
IE
IESE
HKUST
ESADE
NUS
HKU


Thanks!!

[mbaMissionKate]

Hi there!

Your GPA is great...definitely plan to use the optional essay/additional info section to explain your transcripts. Should not be an issue but you want to provide full context on that. I have limited info on your career but I'll assume you've had some good leadership opportunities and exposure within DB. And the fact that your goals are consistent / you are not making a major career switch will help a bit too.

I think your GMAT is in a good place for those schools, seems to be right around the averages. So I'd go ahead and apply with your score now. It could take 3+ months to get back up to a 700+, and that's not even a guarantee. Your low quant is the only thing that worries me, but I'm assuming you have lots of strong on-the-job quant experience to prove that. Also, did you take and do well in quant classes in college (e.g., Calc, Stats, etc.)? If so, then I think you'll be fine, and like I said, I would go ahead and give it a shot this year.

Good luck and keep us posted if you have questions.
Kate

Hi! US citizen looking to apply to European or Asian MBA programs. I'm a bit late in the game for this year (2017), but I figured that since my GMAT expires in April, its either apply now or retake! Any thoughts on the below schools or programs that would be a better fit? Should I retake the GMAT? Appreciate any advice!

Age: 31
680 GMAT V41 Q42
GPA 3.47 (took longer to graduate as a worked full-time, so my transcripts will look strange)
3.5 years in Financial Services, with ESL teaching in Japan in-between. Currently work at Deutsche Bank (Jax not NYC)
Strong verbal, so I imagine my essays will be strong

I see opportunities all over DB where I could contribute, would really love to accelerate my growth with an MBA. I was scoring in the 720s, but didn't perform on test day. This was years ago, so probably 3 months of studying to retake, which would put me out of this cycle and into next year (2018).

Top programs in order of preference:

Oxford
IE
IESE
HKUST
ESADE
NUS
HKU


Thanks!!