CharmWithSubstance wrote:
Although I've already started studying to retake the GMAT, I'm starting to wonder if this is the smartest idea. I haven't been able to devote as much time as I want to with a job in a demanding industry, but since I'm aiming for Harvard/Stanford, I'm concerned the 690 will hurt me. (Q41, V45) AWA 6.
I have almost a perfect GPA from a top 3 engineering school in the US, and have since worked at a top investment bank and now in the venture capital industry. Leadership aspects are strong as well and related to VC (won't go into details). I took the GMAT out of college without really studying, and I think my confusion with data sufficiency translated to a low quant score. I think I may be able to improve quant but my scores in verbal and AWA was much higher than I thought, so I'm afraid I would get a lower score second time around.
Do you think I could justify my low Q score with a high GPA from such a quantitative field? If I score lower the second time around, would that hurt my application?
It is possible that given your high quant grades and your work experience, you could be accepted to any top b-school with your current score, especially if you are from an under-represented group in the applicant pool. but fundamentally, I share your concern. This is a competitive process and it is early in it. If I were you, I would try to raise your score. A 41 is low for quant and unexpected. Why leave them wondering? Why risk losing out to someone from a similar background with a higher
GMAT?
Regarding your concern that your verbal may go down, I would be more concerned about your quant. Furthermore, some schools (notably
INSEADand
Tuck) take the highest of each and that's what the schools pay most attention to. All schools will look at all the scores, but most count the highest or allow you to designate the one you want them to "count."
Best,
Linda
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28 Mar 2010, 15:03
