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Addressing low GMAT score on Application

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GeauxSwish
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Addressing low GMAT score on Application [#permalink] New post   22 Mar 2017, 20:31
I did not score as highly on the GMAT the 2nd time around as I would have liked. I've committed to the optional essay on all of my applications, but I'm not sure how to go about addressing it. In one essay it's almost an exclusively "show don't tell" method where I dont specifically mention the low score or any details about it, I simply refer to it in passing and then proceed to define my other strengths.

I'm not sure if this is the best method and think I might to tackle it a little more head on, but many resources on the internet don't really give sound advice. In your experience, what is the best way to address the low test scores in the essay? Would you happen to have any examples that I could possibly look at?

On a related note, for my second test I hired a math tutor to help with the quantitative section. In your experience would it be wise to include a letter of recommendation from the tutor? If so, what points do they generally all include?

Thank you
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StratusDonna
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Re: Addressing low GMAT score on Application [#permalink] New post   25 Mar 2017, 05:32
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GeauxSwish wrote:
I did not score as highly on the GMAT the 2nd time around as I would have liked. I've committed to the optional essay on all of my applications, but I'm not sure how to go about addressing it. In one essay it's almost an exclusively "show don't tell" method where I dont specifically mention the low score or any details about it, I simply refer to it in passing and then proceed to define my other strengths.

I'm not sure if this is the best method and think I might to tackle it a little more head on, but many resources on the internet don't really give sound advice. In your experience, what is the best way to address the low test scores in the essay? Would you happen to have any examples that I could possibly look at?

On a related note, for my second test I hired a math tutor to help with the quantitative section. In your experience would it be wise to include a letter of recommendation from the tutor? If so, what points do they generally all include?

Thank you

So there is no need to beat around the bush here! Go ahead and mention the GMAT concern directly as they will surely notice your score and you might as well be direct about it. You should not make excuses but simply have some other metrics like strong quant performance in work or other classes. I'm not sure the tutor's words would help too much- you don't want to waste one of your rec letters on that- just have your recommenders mention examples of your quant strengths. Hope this helps and this article also helps to offer some tips on how to approach this:
https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/ ... e-profile/

If you would like to discuss how an admissions consultant could help you present your strongest story- here is a link for a free consult along with a 5% discount: https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/ ... b-visitor/
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GeauxSwish
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Re: Addressing low GMAT score on Application [#permalink] New post   25 Mar 2017, 06:31
StratusMBACounselor wrote:
GeauxSwish wrote:
I did not score as highly on the GMAT the 2nd time around as I would have liked. I've committed to the optional essay on all of my applications, but I'm not sure how to go about addressing it. In one essay it's almost an exclusively "show don't tell" method where I dont specifically mention the low score or any details about it, I simply refer to it in passing and then proceed to define my other strengths.

I'm not sure if this is the best method and think I might to tackle it a little more head on, but many resources on the internet don't really give sound advice. In your experience, what is the best way to address the low test scores in the essay? Would you happen to have any examples that I could possibly look at?

On a related note, for my second test I hired a math tutor to help with the quantitative section. In your experience would it be wise to include a letter of recommendation from the tutor? If so, what points do they generally all include?

Thank you

So there is no need to beat around the bush here! Go ahead and mention the GMAT concern directly as they will surely notice your score and you might as well be direct about it. You should not make excuses but simply have some other metrics like strong quant performance in work or other classes. I'm not sure the tutor's words would help too much- you don't want to waste one of your rec letters on that- just have your recommenders mention examples of your quant strengths. Hope this helps and this article also helps to offer some tips on how to approach this:
https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/ ... e-profile/

If you would like to discuss how an admissions consultant could help you present your strongest story- here is a link for a free consult along with a 5% discount: https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/ ... b-visitor/


Thanks. To be clear, the letter from the tutor would be an additional letter of recommendation from the two I already have from my supervisors
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StratusDonna
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Re: Addressing low GMAT score on Application [#permalink] New post   25 Mar 2017, 07:07
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Hi@geauxSwish- this is just my opinion- so take it with a grain of salt- but when I was on the admissions side I just don't think I would have changed my mind on your quant ability from seeing a letter from a tutor. I would have looked at your score itself, your grades in quant classes and what your recommenders said about your quant ability. But perhaps someone else in admissions would see it differently so my advice is do what feels right to you- and just keep things brief as there is no need to make a bigger deal than you need to. They will look at your whole application and this score is just one part- and not the part you want to highlight so just briefly say why you think there are other metrics that show you can handle the quant part of the program. If you think the tutor letter can do that best, then go with that. But be brief and consider what is in the article I sent also. Good luck!
GeauxSwish wrote:
StratusMBACounselor wrote:
GeauxSwish wrote:
I did not score as highly on the GMAT the 2nd time around as I would have liked. I've committed to the optional essay on all of my applications, but I'm not sure how to go about addressing it. In one essay it's almost an exclusively "show don't tell" method where I dont specifically mention the low score or any details about it, I simply refer to it in passing and then proceed to define my other strengths.

I'm not sure if this is the best method and think I might to tackle it a little more head on, but many resources on the internet don't really give sound advice. In your experience, what is the best way to address the low test scores in the essay? Would you happen to have any examples that I could possibly look at?

On a related note, for my second test I hired a math tutor to help with the quantitative section. In your experience would it be wise to include a letter of recommendation from the tutor? If so, what points do they generally all include?

Thank you

So there is no need to beat around the bush here! Go ahead and mention the GMAT concern directly as they will surely notice your score and you might as well be direct about it. You should not make excuses but simply have some other metrics like strong quant performance in work or other classes. I'm not sure the tutor's words would help too much- you don't want to waste one of your rec letters on that- just have your recommenders mention examples of your quant strengths. Hope this helps and this article also helps to offer some tips on how to approach this:
https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/ ... e-profile/

If you would like to discuss how an admissions consultant could help you present your strongest story- here is a link for a free consult along with a 5% discount: https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/ ... b-visitor/


Thanks. To be clear, the letter from the tutor would be an additional letter of recommendation from the two I already have from my supervisors
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GeauxSwish
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Joined: 13 Feb 2017
Posts: 8
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Location: United States (NY)
Schools: Goizueta '22 (A)
GRE 1: Q150 V156
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Re: Addressing low GMAT score on Application [#permalink] New post   25 Mar 2017, 11:14
Yep. Totally understand, just wanted to clarify that point. Thank you again
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Re: Addressing low GMAT score on Application [#permalink]
25 Mar 2017, 11:14

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