mophead wrote:
Nationality: American
GMAT: 650 44Q 35V
University: UPenn GPA 3.5 History/Spanish
Work Experience: 4 yrs in Japan, 2 yrs at Major IT corp/fluent japanese
Applying to: Top 10 first tier (Harvard, Wharton, Berkeley, Tuck, Insead, NYU, Columbia)
Today I just took the exam and got a 650 (35V 44Q). What pisses me off is that I know I could have done better on Quant. That was the part I focused on and I know the places I made certain mistakes. I was getting as high as Q48 on practices.
The problem is that I can't take it til next month and if I want to apply second round I need to start working on my apps. The schools I want to go to have averages of 700 or 80% 660-750. My application aside from the GMAT is quite strong however. With a liberal arts background is it that much more important to have a high Quant score considering my math and econ grades were just average?
Should I consider taking it again or just put my energy into my apps? You think I can get in with that score.
I am afraid if I stop studying now I may not be able to get that momentum back and if I dont start doing applications now, I may not make it on time.
Any help would be appreciated!
You are in a tough spot. The rest of your application will have to work double-time to overcome the GMAT. Yes, with a liberal arts background, your quant score acquires greater importance.
With a higher GMAT, you would have a competitive profile for those schools. At the same time, your timing issue is real.
Would you be devastated if you apply now with the GMAT and were rejected and had to reapply?
Here are a couple of options; neither one is perfect:
1) Focus on your applications now. Submit with your current score. Reschedule the GMAT for as soon after your last deadline as possible (as soon as you can raise your score.) Assuming you do well, self report the new score ASAP. Most of your schools will consider the new score IF they have not already reviewed your application. If they have rejected you based on the original score, they usually won't do so again. Also, double check with Harvard and Wharton. They have become quite rigid about not accepting additional info.
2) Take the GMAT in early December and take some time off in December to work on your applications. If you must, and only if you must, postpone an application or two to third round.
Good luck!