Dramatically Improving Quant

Hi BrodtandBread,

I like the basic timeline and structure of this plane - you've clearly thought it through. Studying for the GMAT before you get into the routine of a full-time job is also a smart idea.

If you're not going to take the GMAT until your Senior year though, then I have some issues with your current studies. I'm going to assume that you're on a 4-year plan to graduate. Since you're a Sophomore now, you're at least a year away from 'Senior year.' If that's true, then you might be starting your GMAT studies a bit too early.

I say all of this because I don't think that it will take you over a year to study for the GMAT. If you're consistent with your studies, then you'll likely hit your "peak" in 3-6 months, so really getting into those studies now would NOT mesh with your overall timeline. Since a GMAT score is "valid" for 5 years, if you took the GMAT in 3 months, then you'd have a shorter "window" to apply to Business School later on (before your GMAT score expired).

As far as your other questions are concerned, your GPA and Undergrad Degree should be fine - although those are really questions for Admissions Experts. You would need to have an actual GMAT score and your work experience would need to be better "defined" before any of them could assess your chances at getting accepted.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Even if I were to have a low quant score, three to six months is still enough time to dramatically improve?

I am not saying I am terrible at math - I'm not - but it is definitely going to be my weak point.

Hi BrodtandBread,

If you're consistent with your studies and have the proper study materials, then you could very well hit your 'peak' score in 3-6 months. Keep in mind that "peak" is a relative term - I'm not saying that you're necessarily going to ace the Quant section (most Test Takers can't do that no matter how much time they spend studying), but since the GMAT is a predictable, standardized Test, you can learn EXACTLY what's on it, all of the different tactics you can use to answer questions quickly and efficiently and how to handle the "physical" stresses of facing the Full GMAT.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

So you were absolutely correct in your advice. I decided to postpone studying until this year (senior year) and am now intensively studying.

To follow-up on my work experience: I was offered a full-time position at a Big 4 firm's Washington DC international tax and transfer pricing practice, which I plan to stay in for 3-4 years before applying to MBA programs.

Also, my GPA is shaping up to be in the 3.92+ range.