Today I took my GMAT exam and scored 730 (96 percentile) - Q50 (perc 86) - V38 (perc 92), but I am worried about my AWA score.

I think I submitted a good "Issue" essay but I ran out of time for the "Argument" one. I focused my preparation for the GMAT on Quant and Verbal and didn't practice enough for the Argument essay.

The issue is that I wrote down a template for the "Argument" Essay and then I could only develop the intro and first two paragraphs. I think I spent too much time writing down my template.... so I really don't expect a good score in this "Argument" essay as I could not finish it.

On the other hand, I got an score of 30 in the Writing section of the TOEFL. I am doubtful whether this could make up for my low score on the AWA.

I was planning to retake the GMAT because of this problem but I realized that GMAC doesn't allow me to retake the GMAT until 16th October, and I was planning to apply to some business schools in Early Action (12th October deadline).

What should I do? Do you think my high score on the TOEFL's writing could make up for my low score on the AWA? Should I retake the GMAT and postpone my application to the next round??? I'm very doubtful about this.... Or stating in the optional essay that I was sick and that scored high on the TOEFL's writing would be enough???

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Regards,
Alejandro

Thank you for your advice. I agree with you. I've just realized addressing the essays is another big part of the application process and one which deserves very close attention. So I will focus on it and move forward; after all GMAT is one part of the application process, an important one, but one which I somewhat have already fulfilled with my score.

Let me tell you a little more about my background so that you may help me a little more with my application.

I am 33 years old, from Uruguay, South America. I am a Civil Engineer, I have 8 1/2 years of professional experience (4 years in Spain, 1 year in Qatar, 1 year in Chile, 1 year in Libya, and 1 1/2 years in Uruguay).
I emigrated when I graduated from University in 2003 because of the economic crisis in Uruguay and Argentina at that time. I have a very interesting story to tell about emigrating to another country (Spain) and starting from zero there, an story that may be I should address at the essays.

I firsted worked on engineering projects for 2 years and then in construction projects, first as an Assistant of the Project Manager for 1 year, then as Project Manager for an additional 1 year, and then as International Project Manager for 2 additional years.

Finally I decided I had enough time on site (operations of the construction business) and entered as Purchasing Manager for an important spanish construction company in Libya. This was another unique experience. You can´t possible imagine how difficult it was to do with the resources I had there. I had to endeavour to understand local people, connect and motivate them, and this was not an easy job.

After 1 year I had a good offer from my home country (Uruguay) and since then (1 1/2 years) I am working as Purchasing Manager for one of the leader construction companies here.

I have arrived at a point of my career when I want to move further onto another level and I think an MBA could leverage my broad professional experience in technical, operations and commercial departments with other knowledge I should acquire in order to become a General Manager (financial, strategy, general management knowledge). In the long run, I would like to have my own company or else become a CEO.

This is roughly my story, one that I should develop and fill it with details.

What do you think about it? Which points do you think I should especially have to pay attention to about the essays? Any flaws or drawbacks?

I appreciate all the feedback you may give me to optimize my application. Your sincere opinion will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Alejandro

Regards,
Alejandro