510 and admitted to HBS!! How important is GMAT score?

Question

Preliminary Profile of the Class of 2012 at HBS: GMAT Score Range 510-790

Check out the following link for more detail:

https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/blog. ... 2010-07-07

While surfing, I came across the above link showing the range of GMAT score 510-790 at HBS. Many friends on this community keep on asking "how important is GMAT score" time and again, so from above link you can see and figure out how important really GMAT score is from the HBS mouth! The link is very much interesting and inspiring! 510 and admitted to HBS is like dream come true, but the person (with GMAT score - 510) would definitely have very much compelling application.

Also, this clearly shows that GMAT score is only one of the basic criteria to fulfill before going to B-school, other things also matter such as SOP, LOR and Applications etc!

With reference to this post many of us have a chance to go to HBS!! :wink:

So, don't forget to click on kudos for this post. :wink:

easiermath · Answer

Middle 50% GMAT Score Range 710-750 
Average GMAT 724

That is how important it is.

Venture Capital/Private Equity 18%

If you make $2m/year, 510 is ok.

kissthegmat · Answer

Ohh.. I forgot that the guy with 510 can be a billionaire! easiermath you shattered my dreams

Anyhow, thanks for pointing out "Venture Capital/Private Equity - 18% " point.

iamgrunt · Answer

Hmm I think GMAT prep companies overrate its importance. At the same time one should aim for a 700+ score to be on the safe side

shaselai · Answer

always aim high on the score. it is nice to see a story like this once a while but pretty much all stars has to align for this to happen.

Dawgie · Answer

Theres outliers are not really representative. Like shaselai said, I would definitely aim as high as possible to be safe.

gurpreetsingh · Answer

I second that. Aim high and try to get the best score. Post the barrier, the score might not affect much, but if they have to decide on 2 similar profile having different GMAT scores, then the guy with the better academics will be selected.

Exceptions are always there and all are not lucky enough to be part of them.

sandeep800 · Answer

510 in GMAT

that guy must be have excellent work profile..I will also agree that Scoring High on the Gmat is Best to be on safer side.as the middle 50% range of the class is above 700 barrier...

kissthegmat · Answer

Yes, I'm also in favor of scoring 700+ and be on safe side

Everyone can't be lucky!

lilli · Answer

Also, there is always the issue of diversity that may explain some of the outliers.

whiplash2411 · Answer

With a school like HBS, they can reject an applicant simply because, well, they can afford to! They can afford to be picky and hence it's always best, as an applicant, to have all our bases covered. Hence I'd still say 700+ is good.

bb · Answer

See these posts too: Accepted with 560 to Top 20 gmat-only-one-piece-of-the-puzzle-91757.html Accepted to Top 10 with 600's a-little-hope-for-those-that-struggle-accepted-91543.html

kissthegmat · Answer

Thank you BB for the post. Hopes still alive

jordanhendrix · Answer

A couple years ago there was a guy who was admitted to HBS with out a bachelors degree
not sure if he even took the gmat.
His work experience: George W. Bush's "Body Man"
here is the article from the Crimson:
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/ ... enroll-at/

bb · Answer

Love the discussion and Kissthegmat - I know I owe you a PM

kissthegmat · Answer

Thanks jordanhendrix for the link! I thought this happens only in India

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. --Abraham Lincoln Today's world, "Democracy is the government of the ('my' understood here!) relatives, by the relatives, for the relatives."

shaselai · Answer

remember also that the gmat is only one piece of the puzzle and it doesnt guarantee acceptance

gijoedude · Answer

Surely the value of GMAT does not end with admissions. If this person is gunning for McKinsey/Goldman etc wouldn't the 510 score be a problem as these companies look for a 700 minimum? Hence even if you could get into a good b-school with a 600 or 620 you should still aim for a 700+ to get atleast an interview at the said firms.

adishail · Answer

To some extend, GMAT / GRE scores are nothing more than formalities.

Stanford clearly states on it's admission website that the adcom will NOT look at your GRE score, however, you have to submit your score ! GMAT is just another standardized test like GRE and it depends on the school if they want to admit someone with a crappy WE/GPA and 780 on GMAT.

IMO, scores like GMAT/GRE are instrumental when it comes to scholarships etc. Some schools even offer slightly better scholarship packages to ppl with higher GMAT scores because, at the end of the day when the ranking and other info is released, high GMAT scores help push the average GMAT score higher. Plus, if there are 2 identical applicants for one spot, it might boil down to the GMAT score.

Enough said, all you interns, go back to the OGs !!!!! :lol:

shaselai · Answer

yeah you are right... oh god these things are gonna haunt us for the rest of our lives!!!! :twisted:

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510 and admitted to HBS!! How important is GMAT score?

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