Profile Evaluation ... Thank you!!

[mobenny]

Hi,

GMAT: First try 580 (not sure about breakdown but got a 6 on AWA) -- Second try 680 (Q49 83%, V35 73%) Prelim Scores

Work Experience (Total 4 yrs): 3 years in real estate development, last position Project Manager. Much of my work was finance based. This past year with Equity Trading firm, working as a Market Intelligence Assoicate. My role is to understand market trends and themes, basically market economics.

Undergrad: Graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Art History. Low GPA --2.8, planning to explain that it was due to some personal issues which I overcame and have moved past.

Community -- Most recently started a project with the Jewish Community of the East Bay to offer financial services to the community (in light of Madoff). Lectured on Cal campus and worked with Health Center as a volunteer. Visited Brazil and helped to raise money through local foundation to spread Capoeira, Brazilian National Sport, in Brazil and in the US.

Schools: Stanford, Cal or Columbia, NYU, and UCLA.

I have a few questions:

1) How much would it help to retake the GMAT and aim to cover the 700 80/80 hurdle? Or, am I close enough with a 680 and a higher quant score? Also, would a strong AWA bridge the gap from my lower verbal score? Finally, would it hinder me if I recieved a substantially lower school if I took the exam again?

2) Any clues or advice about how to explain the low GPA? I am considering using the additional essay to do this.

Thanks!

[mbamission]

Thank you for your inquiry.

To start at the end, yes, use the additional essay for this. That's exactly what it's for. Don't make excuses, just state the reason for the GPA, try to provide details that may underlie it (like an upward trend, strong grades in quantitative classes, etc.) and focus on more recent evidence of your abilities in this area. The 6 AWA score can be one piece of evidence along with the analytical nature of your job (especially given that your degree was in a non-quantitative field).

For that reason, it may make a difference in your case to break the 700 barrier on the GMAT. It becomes one more piece of compelling evidence as to your academic maturity. A 680 doesn't necessarily hurt you, but it's not going to really help offset a low GPA either.

Your extracurricular work is interesting and your work experience seems solid. I think your list is somewhat ambitious given the GPA, but NYU and UCLA may be reasonable choices. A lot will depend on your essays and how well you tell your story in them.

Best of luck,

Jessica Shklar
mbaMission

our blog: www.mbamission.com/blog

[mobenny]

Thank you for your respone.

I was also wondering if scoring lower on the GMAT during a re-take could hurt my profile in any way. In my specific case it would be the third time taking the test. My first two score are: test 1 580, test 2 680.

Thanks,

Moses

[mbamission]

Hi Moses -

A third time is fine. More than that, I would start to have concerns.

Jessica

[thoughtrunner]

Hi Jessica, I also have a similar profile, aiming for similar schools. Would an average (710) GMAT for top-schools "offset" such a low GPA? Or would one need above the mean (730/740) to truly offset a poor GPA when applying to top-10 programs? I know it's all based on subjective work experience / quality of essays etc, but assuming other factors are held constant ...

Thanks!

[mbamission]

Hi - A 730/740 might be more eye-catching but a 710 GMAT will tell a compelling story about your academic ability. A GMAT may never offset a low GPA (depending on how low and the rest of the profile) but it should make a difference in calming admissions officers worries. I don't think I'd take time away from the rest of your application to bring a GMAT up from 710 though.

Good luck.

Jessica Shklar
mbaMission

Our blog: www.mbamission.com/blog

Hi Jessica, I also have a similar profile, aiming for similar schools. Would an average (710) GMAT for top-schools "offset" such a low GPA? Or would one need above the mean (730/740) to truly offset a poor GPA when applying to top-10 programs? I know it's all based on subjective work experience / quality of essays etc, but assuming other factors are held constant ...

Thanks!