Waitlist advice

[kschrinsky]

Hello,

I recently was notified that I was waitlisted at NYU Stern. Stern is my top choice, so while I wait for decisions from two other schools I want to do whatever I can to bump up my chances of getting admitted off the waitlist. My quantitative background/ability is my application's glaring weakness - I had a 63% quant score on my GMAT (with 92% verbal for a total score of 680) and only one math class in college (I graduated in 2003). I took Accounting and Statistics classes last year prior to applying, so now I feel like my best next step is to take another class to show my committment and ability to do well. Can you advise on classes that would be most appropriate or helpful to the adcom? Or maybe it doesn't matter? I asked them this question but they did not answer directly and just recited the letter I got originally. Looking at course catalogues for local NYC schools, my choices seem to be:
-Calculus for Business
-Macroeconomic Principles in Finance
-Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
-Principles of Finance

I will also try to get a supplemental letter of recommendation and will think of any "new perspective" i have for an additional essay. Any other thoughts or suggestions for someone in my position are much appreciated! Thank you so much.

[mbamission]

We understand that being waitlisted is very tough, so hang in there. But you are thinking about all of the right things. Have you considered retaking the GMAT? Do you think you could do better? That could be a great way to boost your chances.

In terms of the classes you listed, I do not know the full course descriptions but the Calculus for Business or Corporate Finance course can be good ways to demonstrate your quantitative abilities.

Best of luck with the waitlist process.

Monica Okrah
mbaMission
www.mbamission.com

[kschrinsky]

Thanks, Monica.

I took my GMAT in July '08 and December '08, and it would be ever so painful to take it again now, since I'd basically have to re-learn everything! I felt like my score could have been a bit higher at the time (I was getting 700-720 on my practice exams right before the test) but was comfortable with the 680 and felt like it wasn't where I wanted to put more effort.

Hopefully the class will be enough when combined with the recommendation letter. There's only so much you can do, I suppose. Thanks for the good luck wishes!

Kate

[mbamission]

Hi Kate,

I agree....if you don't think you can improve the score, then there really isn't a need to retake the exam. Did you already take a GMAT prep class though? My guess is that you took Manhattan GMAT's! If not, you can consider taking a class and retaking the exam. But again, only do it if you think you can do better!

Hang in there!

Monica Okrah
mbaMission
www.mbamission.com