710 (Q49, V 38), AWA 4.5 - retake? Need advice!

Question

What do you think, do I need to retake GMAT because of low AWA score? I believe that if I study well for a month more I'll be able to increase a little my score or at least get the same, but all this preparation for 1-2 more monthes is not a very pleasant thing, as you can imagine, taking into account that 710 is already a good score (though my target score was 730-740). Do you think that my AWA now is low for the top schools such as Harvard, Stanford? I'm also aiming at some sort of schoolarship, maybe not in the top schools, but still... What do you suggest - retake or not?

billyjeans · Answer

I think your profile, essays outweighs significantly more than gmat score. It doesn't really make any difference between 730 and 710. But say if you are sure u can get a 780-800 then I say go ahead.
If you have a strong profile to apply for Harvard or Stanford, I honestly think your score is just as fine as any score.

Good luck. I know even if I score top score I wouldn't even thinking about apply to Harvard or Stanford.

Kastel · Answer

Billyjeans, 
Thanks for advice! And what profile do you think is suitable for Harvard or Stanford (minimum what a person must possess)?

Tarmac · Answer

I would not retake if I was you.

Not speaking from personal experience, but a typical tier 0 candidate has a 700 score, top 20 university, 3-7 years work experience, moves up the ladder, has some big projects, has management experience, or otherwise very unique work experience. And good essays.

billyjeans · Answer

Somebody posted a wharton finance club resume book on this board before. All I can say is wow, and I am no where close to where they are. I can only imagine Harvard will be even more "wower" than Wharton's book.
https://daveformba.blogspot.com/2004/07/wharton-resumes.html

You can buy these if you want:
https://www.hbs.edu/mba/recruiting/requestinfo/
But you can obtain an copy somewhere else, if you are serious about going to HBS. I mean you have to know what their resumes look like and what their application essays look like. Other wise, you are betting yourself against all odds.

Anyway, i think myself (or anybody else in this case) can get a Wharton score, but getting in is another story.

89nk · Answer

I think if your profile is strong then I would not retake. If your a younger applicant and you know you can score higher and it was a off day, then I would retake.

raconteur · Answer

I personally would not retake it. Be happy with your 700+ score and move on. I honestly would not sweat the AWA score that much. Just make sure you submit solid essays with no grammatical mistakes, etc. and that will be proof enough to AdCom that your writing skills are just fine.

Congratulate yourself again for a great score and now move on to the next important part of the application - essays.

Kastel · Answer

I don't have an ideal profile, so I wanted my GMAT score to be an additional +, but not -. I'm rather young (24), female, with 2 years in real estate consulting (multinational company) and 2 years of part-time work (investment dep. in very small company and internships in banks), not much management experience but had a number of interesting projects. I have very close to 4.0 GPA (it's around 3.97 or something like that) from top 5 university in our country, specialization - finance. Any more thoughts about my chances are welcome.

billyjeans · Answer

Post it on admission advisory forum. :-D

I think you have a good profile for elite schools. Not sure about Harvard or Standford though, but ask accepted.com or hjort. My personal opinion is that you are good for school such as Wharton, with good essays and applications. No need to retake, but if you are really confident to get a 760-790, then I say do it. Don't retake if you want to shoot for 730-740. but in any case, post it on the admission advisory forum. They will sure to help you. :wink:

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710 (Q49, V 38), AWA 4.5 - retake? Need advice!

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