ceg2002 wrote:
I'm a female, underrepresented minority applicant with four years of great work experience in strategy at a Fortune 100 media company. I'd like to stay in corporate strategy after completing an MBA. I have a mediocre GPA from an Ivy League undergrad (3.1), but I performed much better in a graduate program I did at another Ivy League school. I've also recently taken supplementary courses (Accounting and Statistics) at a reputable local university and gotten A’s. I am multilingual and have had international work experience. I am targeting a top 10 full time MBA program.
I have a GMAT score of 720 that is useless now because it's more than 5 years old. I recently retook the exam and scored a 660. I think I can do better than this, but some people tell me that it won't be necessary. The process of preparing for this test is exhausting and I'd rather not do it if it's not necessary. But I'm concerned about my low GPA. What would you advise?
Thanks in advance.
As an underrepresented minority with great work experience and evidence of academic ability in the form of your grad GPA and additional courses, you may be able to get accepted in the top 10 with a 660 GMAT and a 3.1 GPA. Those who told you that you don't need to retake the GMAT may well be right. But I'm not confident of that. I also believe you might end up with multiple acceptances, choice, and perhaps better financial aid if you apply with a higher GMAT. If you are confident you can raise your GMAT, the safer course of action is to retake the exam and aim for a higher score. Obviously it is time consuming and draining to prepare for the GMAT, but there is risk involved in sitting pat. Do you want to take that risk?
_________________
Linda Abraham
Accepted.com
labraham@accepted.com
310-815-9553
JUST PUBLISHED! MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools
Follow Accepted on Twitter
Friend Accepted on Facebook
Subscribe to Accepted's Blog
close
