NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 02:26 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 02:26
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull?

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
 1   2   3   4   5   6   
avatar
BrusselsToBoston
Intern
Intern
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 19
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 22 Feb 2011, 09:22
Guys,

My (third) GMAT is 580. My dream is, and has always been, HBS. I have been spending the past two years working on the GMAT, bringing it to where it (unfortunately) is. What would it take to get in? I have an undergrad degree from a top Belgian university with distinction, and I come from a large (200+ people) family business (industrial lighting) where I am now VP of Biz Dev.

First, as to HBS themselves, they do not say or declare in any way whether 580 could be relevant. Second, after two years of dealing with this, I just saw on Aringo.com site that they are claiming they put a client with 580 at Harvard. I emailed them. Is this bullshit? One-time lucky case? The lowest-GMAT person I heard of (friend of friend of friends) got into HBS with 660, but this 580 thing gave me some hope (after I kind of already gave up about HBS), if (?) it is no bullshit.

Am I hallucinating? Or – give me some hope… heard of other such cases?

Brussels to Boston

Originally posted by BrusselsToBoston on 20 Feb 2011, 00:47.
Last edited by BrusselsToBoston on 22 Feb 2011, 09:22, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
arindamcanada
Manager
Manager
Joined: 07 Feb 2010
Affiliations: Professional Engineers (Ontario)
Posts: 105
Own Kudos [?]: 11 [0]
Given Kudos: 9
Location: Toronto, Canada
Concentration: Green-tech
 Q50  V38
GPA: 3.7
WE 1: Nuclear Consultant - 3+ years
Send PM
Re: Aringo client with 580 at HBS – bullshit? [#permalink] New post   20 Feb 2011, 10:06
BrusselsToBoston wrote:
Guys,

My (third) GMAT is 580. My dream is, and has always been, HBS. I have been spending the past two years working on the GMAT, bringing it to where it (unfortunately) is. What would it take to get in? I have an undergrad degree from a top Belgian university with distinction, and I come from a large (200+ people) family business (industrial lighting) where I am now VP of Biz Dev.

First, as to HBS themselves, they do not say or declare in any way whether 580 could be relevant. Second, after two years of dealing with this, I just saw on Aringo.com site that they are claiming they put a client with 580 at Harvard. I emailed them. Is this bullshit? One-time lucky case? The lowest-GMAT person I heard of (friend of friend of friends) got into HBS with 660, but this 580 thing gave me some hope (after I kind of already gave up about HBS), if (?) it is no bullshit.

Am I hallucinating? Or – give me some hope… heard of other such cases?

Brussels to Boston



I would say if you can improve your score by about 100 points you have a shot. With a 580 you need to have substantial accomplishments in your work experience life (something to the extent of - founded Groupon or been on the EU board). There are a couple of cases who get in each year with such a GMAT but they do have some mind boggling experiences. I am not sure how much an admissions consulting company will be able to help if your case. Mind sharing some other stats other than GMAT?
avatar
randompasserby
Manager
Manager
Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Own Kudos [?]: 10 [1]
Given Kudos: 6
Send PM
Re: Aringo client with 580 at HBS – bullshit? [#permalink] New post   20 Feb 2011, 14:26
1
Kudos
Have you tried any of GMAT Prep courses? I took a Kaplan course in London split over five weekends, and found it incredibly useful.

Kaplan have courses in Paris, Rotterdam and Frankfurt, all easy to get to from Brussels.

However I would strongly recommend that you take a course that is split over several weekends, instead of any 'intensive' courses - this gives you time to do all of your 'homework' and study outside of class - by investing this time you get the most benefit from the course.
avatar
piggles
Current Student
Joined: 05 Dec 2010
Status:Matriculating to Ross!
Posts: 210
Own Kudos [?]: 32 [0]
Given Kudos: 15
Concentration: Ops/Logistics
Schools:Harvard, Ross, McCombs, Mendoza
 Q44  V42
GPA: 3.28
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Aringo client with 580 at HBS – bullshit? [#permalink] New post   20 Feb 2011, 21:43
An admit with a 580 to any of the elite schools is going to have some really special circumstances going for him/her. Examples might be founding a large publicly traded company, being military Medal of Honor recipient, or having a last name like Kennedy or Bush. If these, or similar situations, don't apply to you, then 580 probably isn't going to cut it.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but the caliber of people applying to a place like HBS is so high that a person would need to have something really special to distinguish them from the glut of highly successful, ambitious applicants.
avatar
wayne26
Intern
Intern
Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 20
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bullshit? [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2011, 10:58
it will be hard to get in with 580. just look at schools profiles - most students have much higher scores.
i suggest you study hard and retake the test.
User avatar
AmrithS
Director
Director
Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Status:-=Given to Fly=-
Posts: 756
Own Kudos [?]: 433 [0]
Given Kudos: 78
Location: India
Concentration: Leadership, Strategy
Schools: Kelley '18 Haas '18
GMAT 1: 650 Q44 V37
GMAT 2: 710 Q48 V40
GMAT 3: 750 Q51 V40
GPA: 3.5
WE:Education (Education)
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bullshit? [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2011, 11:26
hmmm... Why don't you ask Gil Levi from Aringo.com?

:)

He has a thread in this community:
ask-aringo-if-your-gmat-is-or-might-be-below-109261.html?hilit=aringo#p880243

Ask them whether the quoted case is an isolated one or have there been multiple instances where people with similar scores have been admitted to HSB!
avatar
Steve2014
Intern
Intern
Joined: 23 Jun 2010
Posts: 13
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   07 Mar 2011, 00:48
such cases are probably rare but possible. you have to believe in yourself and follow your dream (and improve your GMAT :) )
avatar
123MBAme
Manager
Manager
Joined: 27 Jul 2010
Posts: 91
Own Kudos [?]: 21 [0]
Given Kudos: 9
Schools: Booth '17 (WL) HBS '17 (D) Stanford '17 (D) Tuck '17 (A) Anderson '17 (A$) Darden '17 (A)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   07 Mar 2011, 01:09
I agree with what the others said; in any case, you should focus more on your experiences, try to find something that really distinguishes you from the rest of the applicants. You can try to improve your score and than apply to HBS, but you can also consider other schools...
I wish you all the best!
avatar
ke18sb
Manager
Manager
Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 113
Own Kudos [?]: 15 [0]
Given Kudos: 3
Schools:Wharton R2 (Int), Columbia (Ding), Kellogg R2, Duke R2 (Int)
WE 1: International Development (2 years)
WE 2: Ibanking (3.5 years)
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   15 Mar 2011, 14:05
There is probably no way you are getting in, sorry, that is just the reality.

But the real question is why HBS. It seems as though you are being to one-sided. There are tons of other great programs.
avatar
mmbbaaa11
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Feb 2011
Posts: 22
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: US - East Coast
Schools:HBS (R2 - Ding), Stanford (R2 - Admit), Wharton(R2 - Admit)
 Q50  V41
GPA: 3.2
WE 1: IT Consulting (3.5 yrs)
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   15 Mar 2011, 17:47
Don't give up - you should be able to improve your GMAT score with a good course. Have you taken one yet? I recommend Manhattan GMAT (got a 750 first try), but I don't know if they have classes outside the US. HBS is apparently known to not take the GMAT too seriously (and rightly so, it really just tests how well you can take tests), although a 580 is still pretty low regardless of how seriously it's taken. You'd go down in the books as a miracle if you got in with that score, I think :P On the flip side, I heard that HBS weighs the GPA very heavily, but I got an interview invitation with slightly below a 3.2, so the point is...don't give up. Either give it your best shot and write some stellar essays or give the GMAT another shot. When are you planning on applying? I'm assuming for class of 2014? Consultants can help, but I seriously doubt their claims of 'getting someone with a 580 in' - he obviously had a great story, but they just helped him tell it.
avatar
BrusselsToBoston
Intern
Intern
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 19
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2011, 14:23
thanks everyone.
yes, i want to apply this year for 2012 program (class of 2014).
i understand that the GMAT is only one part of the application and that the essays are very important as well, i'm just not sure my story is strong enough and that i can make it sound strong, that's why i figured i need all the help i can get.
avatar
wayne26
Intern
Intern
Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 20
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   06 Apr 2011, 07:35
by the way, why are you obsessed with HBS? i don't know what are your career goals, but you can probably get there even if you go to a lower ranked program. HBS has an excellent reputation, but there are other programs out there... i really think you should consider them, you'll be surprised!
avatar
bizwiz6
Intern
Intern
Joined: 25 Feb 2011
Posts: 28
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   09 Apr 2011, 13:01
that's right, i think that any top-20 or even top-30 program would be good for you and could give your career a big push. there are many graduates of lower ranked schools who did extremely well in their careers.
avatar
BrusselsToBoston
Intern
Intern
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 19
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2011, 00:39
I understand that of course, but HBS has been my dream school. I might apply to other lower ranked schools as well (safety schools), but i can't give up HBS.
avatar
Leo24
Intern
Intern
Joined: 19 Mar 2011
Posts: 27
Own Kudos [?]: 1 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2011, 12:08
yes, you should definitely consider some safety schools, and i'm not saying that to discourage you, this is just smart strategy.
i think that most applicants apply to 3-4 programs, and even if they are rejected from their top choice they still have a chance of being admitted to another school.
User avatar
refurb
Current Student
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 1321
Own Kudos [?]: 156 [0]
Given Kudos: 6
Schools:Tuck
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2011, 11:38
In the last two years, Tuck has admitted students with scores less than 600.

The only way that works is if you've got a stellar story. You've started a very successful company, a non-profit, competed in the Olympics, etc, etc.

If that's not your story, you'll need a much higher GMAT score.

RF
avatar
Gaurav84
Intern
Intern
Joined: 30 Oct 2010
Posts: 12
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   18 Apr 2011, 04:03
and not only Tuck - many schools publish class profiles, where you can see the range of GMAT scores of admitted students.
580 falls in the range of some good programs, even if not top-10.
but of course you should have a great story and a very strong candidacy to be admitted with such score.
User avatar
rhyme
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society
Posts: 5916
Own Kudos [?]: 3083 [1]
Given Kudos: 7
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
WE:Business Development (Consumer Products)
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   20 Apr 2011, 01:38
1
Kudos
BrusselsToBoston -

1) I was born in belgium (near brussels no less!)
2) HBS is a good school but there are many other great schools - you are status blind right now. It's your dream school because its HBS not because it offers anything of particular value to you
3) #2 leads me to worry that your essays will be weak on the 'why HBS' angle and that will put a 2nd nail in your coffin
4) And your 580 score is already one pretty big rusty nail.
5) Go buy the manhattan GMAT books and official guide
6) Study 200 hours
7) Retake with a goal of 650+
8) Apply elsewhere
9) Forget whomever had 'one admit' at HBS with a 580, its a hail mary pass.
10) Move to Leuven and mail me beer
User avatar
whiplash2411
SVP
SVP
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Status:Three Down.
Posts: 1764
Own Kudos [?]: 3468 [0]
Given Kudos: 210
Concentration: General Management, Nonprofit
Schools: HBS '17 (M) Stanford '17 (A)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   20 Apr 2011, 17:33
rhyme wrote:
BrusselsToBoston -

1) I was born in belgium (near brussels no less!)
2) HBS is a good school but there are many other great schools - you are status blind right now. It's your dream school because its HBS not because it offers anything of particular value to you
3) #2 leads me to worry that your essays will be weak on the 'why HBS' angle and that will put a 2nd nail in your coffin
4) And your 580 score is already one pretty big rusty nail.
5) Go buy the manhattan GMAT books and official guide
6) Study 200 hours
7) Retake with a goal of 650+
8) Apply elsewhere
9) Forget whomever had 'one admit' at HBS with a 580, its a hail mary pass.
10) Move to Leuven and mail me beer


:)

As for your original question - I am no authority on this clearly, but I think that anyone who gets into HBS with 580 is an outlier and not to be mistaken to represent the population with that score in terms of admissions chances. In the end each profile is different. So, yeah. What Rhyme said, I think.
User avatar
xerox
Current Student
Joined: 01 Feb 2007
Posts: 462
Own Kudos [?]: 54 [1]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: Silicon Valley via Russia, China, Canada and Wharton/Lauder
Concentration: Finance, International Studies (South East Asia)
Schools:Wharton/Lauder (Mandarin Chinese)
GPA: 5 out of 5
Send PM
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink] New post   20 Apr 2011, 23:37
1
Kudos
580? Bull.
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Aringo.com client with 580 at HBS – bull? [#permalink]
20 Apr 2011, 23:37
 1   2   3   4   5   6   

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions