. I really appreciate your response.
I do have quite a bit of international work - I lived in Germany for 4 years, and have worked in England, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Canada, Turkey, and a few others that escape my thoughts at this hour.
Yes, I am certainly figuring out that I need to show what I bring to the table that others don't. I'm sure there must be something there with my work experience and life experience, but it's an uphill battle to figure out just what!
Music2mba you would be better off retaking it now that you have some momentum than down the road. Also, you will want to do this MBA thing this year because of your age.
the reality is, this score is below the average for your 2 target schools
white males are overrepresented, I'm making some assumptions here - if not erase erase
you do bring diversity by way of your job, but your job also might present some obstacles in demonstrating leadership/teamwork/problem solving/innovation
all the stuff b-schools care about.
For them to accept a 710, you will need to compensate for that in other areas of your profile.
Like the things I just mentioned.
Other things to consider: do you have international work experience? What would you add to the class that no one else could via your strengths or background? See where I am going with this.
Those who get in slightly lighter GMAT scores are either
1.) underrepresented in some way, but especially in terms of ethnicity or citizenship or 2.) have profiles that are super strong in terms of extracurriculars/community or 3.) demonstrate some really unique contribution they could make to their fellow colleagues, alums, school. Hope this helps!
I realize taking the GMAT is a drag, and you do have a decent score for Cornell or Duke, but for Kellogg or Booth, you would need a lot of diversity/contribution power behind your app for them to pick you in favor of that other Chicagoan Liberal Arts guy who is a bit younger (seemingly more recruitable) with a stronger test score.
Music2mba wrote:
Hi All,
Got a 710 on my GMAT (47Q, 41V, 8IR, waiting on AWA). Wondering if this will be good enough for my target schools. I live in Chicago so I'd love to attend Kellogg or Booth so I can stay in the city. Also on my list are Ross, CBS, and Fuqua.
A bit about me: I am older, 35...I have spent my career in the classical music performance field. I've been very successful - traveled and performed all over the world, taught lessons both privately and as a Professor at a university, and have enjoyed my time as a performer through the 10+ years I have done it. Now, I am looking to pivot fields into something more traditional and would like to apply to business school.
Have done volunteer work and some fundraisers for different causes. Am active at my church with music and volunteering, and have been for years.
Schools - Went to a top 25 university - GPA - 3.451 - Graduated Cum Laude w/ Honors in Music. Attended 2 Graduate schools - Masters GPA 3.70 at Hopkins/Peabody, and Diploma (unfinished because I began to travel and perform) at Yale 3.90 GPA.
Hoping I don't have to sit for that exam again!
Many thanks for any help.