Re: Low GMAT Score for PhD Program, how do I compensate for it?
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03 Jul 2010, 00:24
So, I'll caveat this by saying I am an aspiring applicant like you and I just want to reinforce the idea that these sentiments are educated opinion and not fact. If you took your 48 math score and your 38 verbal, you'd have a 700 total and this will be a non-issue. Unfortunately, I think schools won't take best performance on each part over several attempts. That said, knowing you can achieve the scores needed in each part but need to combine them in the same attempt is more than enough reason to buckle down and retake the GMAT. A 700 total (Q48/V38) puts you in a totally differnet class. I think the other parts of your profile (accounting grad degree, some practical experience, TA exposure) are pretty good but the 660 GMAT will probably close a lot of doors. It's amazing the power that one number can have.
If you are steadfast in your desire not to retake, then based on your 660 breakdown, quant skills will be a concern. If you haven't taken multiple calc courses and linear algebrea, a good start would be enrolling in these in any possible way. Distance learning is probably the most efficient and cost effective way to do this if you are a good self-learner. But any way you can get tangible proof of advanced math competence (community college, distance learning, etc.) will help alleviate concerns about your ability to complete econometrics and other math heavy courses at a doctorate level.
Best of luck!