Hello
Austindsouza,
I hope you are doing well. I understand your situation and the dilemma you're facing. Deciding between taking a year off to focus on the GMAT and scholarship applications or applying this year with your current score is a big decision that depends on several factors.
Here's my analysis to help you weigh the pros and cons:
Option 1: Take a year off and study for the GMAT:Pros:1. Increased chance of a higher GMAT score: With dedicated time and a longer study period, you're likely to significantly improve your score, potentially opening doors to more scholarship opportunities and top-tier MiM programs.
2. Improved application quality: More time allows you to strengthen other aspects of your application, such as essays, internships, and extracurricular activities.
Reduced stress: You can focus solely on preparation without balancing work and studies.
Cons:1. Financial implications: Taking a year off means foregoing a year's salary, which can be a significant financial strain.
2. Opportunity cost: You lose out on a year of work experience and career progression.
3. Motivation: Staying motivated over a longer period requires strong discipline and resilience.
Option 2: Apply this year with a 400 GMAT scorePros:1. No career break: You maintain your work experience and income.
2. Faster progress: You can start your MiM program sooner, reaching your career goals quicker.
3. Potential acceptance: While competitive programs might be out of reach, some MiM programs consider diverse factors and might accept you with a lower score.
Cons:1. Limited scholarship opportunities: A lower GMAT score typically translates to fewer and smaller scholarships.
2. Less competitive applications: Other applicants with higher scores might make your application stand out less.
3. Increased stress: Juggling work and studies can be demanding and impact your application quality.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal priorities and risk tolerance. Consider your financial situation, career goals, and how important a higher scholarship is to you.
We offer a limited number of
complimentary profile evaluations each week. We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.
TestimonialsMeet our Panel of Consultants.