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Updating This Thread for people who would refer to this section in Future.
I Got an ADMIT with a 620 GMAT plus a 20% RMB Scholarship.
So, Yes, If you have a low GMAT you can still get an Admit, Provided you have a good profile and rest is based on your interview.
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Following are my details:
1. I Prepared all my Application Questions Myself and Did not do any Plagiarism (It's really not the best thing to do).
2. I connected with my Manager and College professor and got good LOR's from them.
3. I have a low GMAT 620! But I believe if you can justify your experience and your profile you would not have hindrance, GMAT is only for eligibility and anything above 600 will be enough to make you eligible, Rest is upon your work-experience and overall Interview experience.
4. I applied on 15th of December 2020
5. I completed my KIRA Assessment round on 18th December 2020. (Did a lot of Video practice over the internet for this)
(KIRA is basically to check your communication, your thought process, How well you think on your feet and to assess your personality)
6. I was notified for an interview on 16th January 2021 (Delayed because of New Year's holiday in Ireland)
7. I interviewed on 23rd of January 2021
8. I got my admit Today (1 Feb 2021) UCD gave me a call and subsequently sent me an email.
*For English Proficiency I Submitted Duolingo Score which is acceptable only this year due to Covid, It is possible that they might extend the Duolingo Exam for Test of English Language*
I Scored a 140 on Duolingo with 2 days of practice on their Website.
I Watched some YouTube videos on how to Answer Duolingo Questions.
140 in Duolingo translates to IELTS Band 8 as per Duolingo Website. For UCD You need 7 in IELTS and minimum 130 in DUOLINGO.
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Tips for GMAT:
1.Be calm on your test day, Don't be anxious on test day, It would significantly hamper your score.
(I use to score 700ish in Mocks but only managed to get 620 on actual, all credit goes to Test Anxiety and a education Gap of 5.5 years)
2. GMAT CLUB is the best repository for Verbal and Quants, Try Questions posted by BUNUEL for QUANT. Nothing beats Verbal Official Questions.
3. Do not Overdo Mocks.
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Tips for Application:
1. Apply ASAP. Cannot stress it enough, Admissions @UCD are rolling so apply by January MAX. Worst case by February!
2. Be authentic in your application questions, Refrain from putting in pointers that would be hard for you to Justify.
3. Interview is a General communication to know you better, However be prepared with what is your motivation for an MBA and why MBA? Why UCD? Why Ireland?
4. KIRA Round needs to be taken seriously, It's your pathway to get an Interview Invite, Be very well prepared and practice a lot in advance in front of the camera so you know how you speak! how you put down your thoughts in stressed out situations!
Lot of online resources available for KIRA .. JUST GOOGLE!!
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UCD is a terrific University and Smurfit has a good Brand Value ranking #1 in Ireland with Triple Accreditation and Post MBA Opportunities.
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YOU WILL GET THROUGH! BELIEVE!