680 is not too low, but you might also consider the pool of applicants you will be applying with. You will be with a number of other recently laid off I-Bankers, and others that may have not been laid off, but are being sent back to school by their firm for promotion within the firm. How do you compare against those individuals? Depending on how much you studied for the 680, if you can score that, you can score in the 700s. I suggest that you take it again and SOON! You don't have much time. You will also want to concentrate on your Extra Curricular activities because those can set you apart. I won't comment on specific schools because I'm applying too and am in the research stage of my applications/essay writing so I really have very little knowledge in that area to base advice upon.
What is your goal post-MBA? Do you want to go back into I-Banking?
ValueAddict wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I just joined the board today AND of course I have a few questions. I want to wish everyone the best of luck throughout the entire 2009 application process.
Here's a bit of some background on my situation.
Age: 25
GMAT: 680
Work Exp: 1 year operations at major I-bank / currently working as an Analyst on the Buyside with a FoHF (a bit more than 2 years)
Other: Currently awaiting my CFA Level II results (read sweating bullets)
Problem: Getting laid off soon
Question: Is 680 too low for top 20 schools? And am I screwed being unemployed?
My # 1 choice is NYU, followed by Yale, Duke, Columbia (definitely not in their range)
Thanks guys!