because that is the average of the top schools. The magic number is slowly trending upwards since the averages are, 720 may be the magic number soon. If you dip below the average you are going to negatively affect their reported average so they would need to balance you out with someone that many points higher than the average.

Also since IB and MC recruit 700+ , and a person states they want to get into that field with a sub 700 GMAT , that will probably hurt their chances of admission.

River,

What do you make of the difference between mean and median GMATs? I know they usually are about the same (or +10ish).

That would mean that half of the class (that didnt hit the median on the dot) has lower scores. Thats a pretty huge chunk. Do you think they are all overachievers or are there some normal people mixed in? What have the people you have talked to from Kellogg been like? Any "average joes" by Top 25 b-school standards?

Your input is always appreciated

P.S. Im also curious what you make of the whole "scores within 20 points of one another are looked at pretty much the same" thing? I was pretty much saying I think its bull-crud.
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I dont think many schools post the median, a lot do 80% ranges...Kellogg actually breaks down the score ranges and last year some current b-school students did some analysis (Rhyme and Pelihu) of how chances breakdown. Its a very interesting read http://gmatclub.com/forum/p239229

I must say that to be on the low side the rest of your profile is going to have to be that much more impressive overall. It also helps to be in a less competitve demographic, female minority etc. Even with a low GMAT the people I have interacted with and seen backgrounds for is very impressive. Just seeing peoples undergrads and where they work is intimidating...heck one person turned down Stanford for Kellogg. I think the caliber of students at all the top schools is going to be impressive.

There are many things out of your control during the process...you cant redo your last four years work experience, your undergrad school and GPA, activities for the last several years, what makes you unique and special. The ONLY thing you have absolute control over is your GMAT score, you can up that until the last minute. At DAK I they said the average gmat of admitted students was 721, figure the mean will drop down but also figure that the bar is supposedly lowest during R1. I think scores are only going up, so if you believe you can raise your score more than 20 points I would give it a shot. However if you only could get it up 10 points not worth the effort. I mean if anyone believes that mid 700s is within their reach and abilities, I would say get there if you can...especially if you are at 700 or less.
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Kellogg Class of 2010...still active and willing to help. However, I do not do profile reviews, don't offer predictions on chances and am far to busy to review essays, so save the energy of writing me a PM seeking help for these. If I don't respond to a PM that is not one of the previously mentioned trash can destined messages, please don't take it personally I get so many messages I have a hard to responding to most. The more interesting, compelling, or humorous you message the more likely I am to respond.
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yeah that was quite some analysis although am not sure one should take it too seriously.

Now back to improving that wretched GMAT!1
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INSEAD Sept 2010 Interview Invite Nov 5, 2009 Admit & Matriculating
Wharton Sept 2010 Interview Invite Oct 30, 2009 Waitlisted & Ding
Harvard Sept 2010 Ding without Interview
Ivey May 2010 Interview Invite Nov 23, 2009 Admit + $$

the more the better ... a lot depends on your pool though.

If you are from certain demographics a 700 is a well below par score. From other less represented areas, 700 would be more than enough


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INSEAD Sept 2010 Interview Invite Nov 5, 2009 Admit & Matriculating
Wharton Sept 2010 Interview Invite Oct 30, 2009 Waitlisted & Ding
Harvard Sept 2010 Ding without Interview
Ivey May 2010 Interview Invite Nov 23, 2009 Admit + $$

well ... it used to be that if you were from a normally represented population and got 700+ you didn't have to worry about your GMAT score no matter which school you applied to.
But I don't think it is the case any more because many top programs have GMAT averages of above 700
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