applied - GMAT retake?

Question

Hi,

I applied in Round 2 in Stanford, Harvard, MIT and Columbia. My application is strong, especially in the work experience part. The only problem is I took the GMAT only once and only got a 680 (Q47, V35), and I had to use that score in my application.

Questions 
a) how strong chances do you think I have with that lowish score?
b) if I retake the GMAT on January 28th, do you think I could submit my new (higher) score to these schools? Would they accept it? I am sure I would score 700+

Thanks!

jumsumtak · Answer

cant really comment on the chances from that information. It is possible, but if you are dinged you know why that happened.
I'll write about my personal exp. : I applied to a couple of schools in R1 and gave them a revised score very close to the result deadline. They did 'update' my app. file with the revised score, but I'm pretty certain no one reviewed my file after that - which is understandable.

My suggestion would still be to re-take it and improve your chances. You don't have much to lose and a 700+ will definitely not hurt. To add, you are applying to the top schools (ultra-competitive) and so you should do your best to improve your candidacy.

elgreco1 · Answer

thanks for the reply jumsumtak.

I didn't understand the the part "if you are dinged you know why that happened" - you mean the reason will probably be the low GMAT?

By the way, were the schools that updated your app with the new GMAT score from my list (Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Columbia)?

jumsumtak · Answer

yes, I meant that. If you say your profile is really strong, GMAT could have been (one of) the killer.

Nope. None of those. (more like 8-16)

CobraKai · Answer

a) No one can answer this. We'll see when the dust settles.

b) I don't think they'll accept, but here are two good reasons to take the GMAT again:

1. If you end up on one of these schools waitlists and you think the GMAT is your sole weak spot, a 700+ score could go a long way in getting accepted off the waitlist.

2. Depending on what field you want to go into, so industries like big GMAT scores for recruiting, so having a 700+ score would benefit you even if admitted with the 680.

Good luck!

elgreco1 · Answer

thanks CobraKai! very helpful.. Do you approximately how many people schools put on the waitlist? for example Harvard admits about 900 people. Do you think the put about 500 on the waitlist?

CobraKai · Answer

It differs from school to school. HBS's yield is so high that I doubt they need a waitlist that large. Some schools are very liberal in their use of the waitlist and being waitlisted doesn't offer much hope. Some schools use a smaller waitlist (like Stanford) and getting waitlisted is actually a decent accomplishment - they liked you, but due to the numbers game, there were some cuts and compared to other candidates, there were factors that made them hesitate to give an immediate yes.

I wouldn't worry about # of waitlsted candidates - you'll only drive yourself nuts.

applied - GMAT retake?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards