Profile Evaluation

[tow0686]

Hi I am targeting a top 3 school (Stanford, Harvard, Wharton) and am trying to get some advice on whether I need to retake the GMAT or not. I took it for the first time about 4 weeks ago and approached it as a practice to help me get ready for the next time I took it in June. However, I ended up getting a 730 with the following breakdown:

Verbal: 42 (96%ile)
Quant: 48 (76%ile)
Total: 730 96%ile

Writing: 5.5 (80%ile)
Integrated Reasoning: 6 (67%ile)

Other Info:
Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin
GPA: 3.5 Overall (3.8 Business)

Work Experience:
Accenture Management Consulting-2 yrs
Tech Start up-1Yr
American Express (Product Strategy)-2 yrs

Extra Cirr:
Eagle Scout
Accenture Analyst Action Team
Former Captain, University of Texas Men’s Lacrosse Team
On the Board of a Non-Profit

For my first GMAT I had not had a chance to open the advanced quant book, and had only taken 2 practice tests, and didnt even get a chance to go back and review my marked problems. So obvioussly there is room to improve. With that said, I think theres a point of dimenishing return and although I am 100% willing to put in the time to retake it in 4-6 weeks I dont want to if its not gonna make a difference if I get a 760.

Your advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[mbamissionjenK]

CONGRATS! 730 is excellent and above the average at top b-schools around the world. No need to re-take!! Yes def a point of diminishing returns, invest your effort and time into putting together excellent application essays-- very time consuming!

Sure the quant percentile could be slightly higher, but it's still respectable, and it's getting harder and harder to break that 80th percentile in quant as test takers score higher in that area.

Your work experience sounds strong and start-up experience is a plus. Your extra-curricular involvements are varied and hopefully you can speak to some leadership in there. Be sure your overall 'story' makes sense-- relating your past, to the MBA, which leads to your future goals.... if you do a great job explaining that, and why the MBA is right for you, and why that SCHOOL is right for you, I think you'd have a good shot at top programs such as you have mentioned. Good luck, keep us posted, and if you have any other q's come back here or sign up for a free consult with us at http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php.

Good luck!

[tow0686]

Hi,

Thanks for the response, I appreciate the advice. I just wanted to add that I will most likely not be applying until the following October, so have some time. Does that change the advice you would give in terms of taking again to move from 730 up to ~760 and get quant up from 76 to 80, or would you recommend the same approach regardless.

Thanks again.

[mbamissionjenK]

Gotcha. No it does not change my advice. Overall 730's are so hard to come by... as are top quant percentiles, and it looks like you'll likely have a solid application overall as well... I cannot imagine a school keeping you out just BECAUSE of your 730 without another reason (if that makes sense-- i.e. while it may not guarantee you'll get in, because you'll be compared with other applicants of course, it's not going to be THE reason you wouldn't get admitted, so I'd suggest focusing on your essays and your professional and community accomplishments in the meantime). I've even heard some anecdotal comments of adcomm members saying WHY would they re-take when at that level already... you're in top 4% of overall test-takers. Plus when you're at 730, it's super tough to increase it much. I mean if you feel strongly that you've taken a lot of recent/new practice tests and keep hitting 760 and are dying to re-take and have the time, then that's up to you. ;) But congrats again and keep us posted on other q's!