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ApacheChief5
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 01 May 2013, 16:53
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I'm a junior in college, will be graduating in December and I just took my GMATs. The website says that my score will last until 2018, which is the year I plan on applying to business schools. Will M7 schools look down on the fact that I took the GMAT so early?

I was able to squeak by with a 710, q83% v79%, higher than any practice test I've taken, so I will not take it again.
Also, right now 710 is 92nd percentile, but is going to trend down to maybe 90th percentile by 2018?
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 01 May 2013, 17:26
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No. Why would it look bad?

Schools won't care as long as the score is valid, and if anything I recommend people take the GMAT earlier rather than later - it only gets harder...
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ApacheChief5
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 01 May 2013, 18:40
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hamm0
No. Why would it look bad?

Schools won't care as long as the score is valid, and if anything I recommend people take the GMAT earlier rather than later - it only gets harder...
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Would they consider that it's much easier to get a higher score in UG compared to when working full time? I don't think I could get anything close to my score again if I were working full time and I'm worried that b-schools would consider that.
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 01 May 2013, 18:45
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ApacheChief5
hamm0
No. Why would it look bad?

Schools won't care as long as the score is valid, and if anything I recommend people take the GMAT earlier rather than later - it only gets harder...

Would they consider that it's much easier to get a higher score in UG compared to when working full time? I don't think I could get anything close to my score again if I were working full time and I'm worried that b-schools would consider that.
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No they won't. They don't care if you took the GMAT 2 days before submitting your app, or 4.9 years ago.
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 01 May 2013, 23:21
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The only downside I can see is that if you don't get accepted to any schools by 2018 and decide to re-apply in 2019.... well, you'd have to retake.
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 02 May 2013, 07:26
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ApacheChief5 -

Don't spend your energy worrying about this issue. As long as a GMAT score is valid (ie, within the 5 years), it is an admissible score for an MBA.

I was previously the Director of MBA Admissions at a top 30 program. I often had undergraduate students come by my office to ask if they could be admitted to the program. After I told them to come back after they had 3-5 years of professional experience, I always advised them to take the GMAT while they were enrolled as an undergraduate student. You're in an academic lifestyle, and you take tests routinely. This is the optimal time to take the GMAT.

When I was applying for my PhD program, I had to take the GRE after 12 years of no academic work. I found it extremely challenging to re-teach myself mathematics and grammar to prepare for the exam.

I have another piece of advice for you as you plan for pursuing an MBA in the future. Go into this process with confidence and strength. Don't assume the worst of a situation, and don't be apologetic for taking the GMAT while you are an undergraduate student.

Good luck!

Wendy
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 02 May 2013, 07:27
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Not an issue...just remember when it expires so you don't have to retake!
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 02 May 2013, 14:02
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Thanks Wendy! That's one part of my MBA applications checked off for good now
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Does it look bad to take your GMAT in undergrad? 08 Feb 2019, 10:44
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