GMAT 690; Low Quant and IR.

Question

Hi,
I am here with the good old question regarding the GMAT score. I have read all the other posts but I wanted to get a more personalized evaluation. I need to get this question answered as I'm quite anxious about it, though I know it's a very old one. So I took the GMAT and got a 690 (43 Q: 55 percentile; 41 V; 94 percentile; 2 IR; 12 percentile; 6 AWA). So this is the composition which is, as evident, quite uneven. I don't aim to get into the top 25 business schools. I'm coming from Asia and considering my background, any top 100 school would do it for me. 
What do the experienced guys here think about the chances of me getting into a university into a top 100 university like McGill, Ohio State, Rochester, Emory etc? Should I re-take as my IR score is embarrassing to say the least and Quant score is also poor or should I give it a shot and see how it goes. 
Other background information is 3.33 CGPA on a scale of 4, 2 years of work experience (I know it's not competitive enough and thus, I'd also like to know if it's worth giving it a shot now or waiting for a couple of years?). I'd really appreciate some help here.

mbaMissionKate · Answer

Hi there!

Well, your overall score is the first thing they will look at and a 690 is quite strong. Definitely in range for the programs you are considering. If you are open to applying to schools outside the top 25, then I don't think you  need  to retake. Sidenote: of the schools you list, Emory could still be challenging. They are usually considered in the top 25 and I've had clients with 700+ scores get denied there. Not completely out of reach, but just keep that in mind. The other thing to keep in mind is that the IR score is still not a major component of most schools' evaluations, since it's a more recent component of the test. So I would not retake just to increase your IR score. Your quant score is on the low end, we usually like to see at least a 45 or 46. So I think it depends -- your overall GPA is pretty good, but did you take any challenging quant courses? Stats? Calculus? If you did, and you got good grades in them, then I think the adcom will worry less about your score. Also, does your current role have quantitative responsibilities? That can help demonstrate those skills. If not, then you might want to retake. I'm not sure what your timing is though but it can't hurt since they always accept your highest score! If you decide to submit with your current score, then do plan to write an optional essay acknowledging that you know your quant score is weak and providing evidence of your quant abilities.

2 years experience is on the low end, but not out of range either. So I think it depends on the quality of those 2 years. Have you had increasing responsibility? Any international exposure? Any impressive accomplishments / awards? Any experience leading projects or teams? If so then you should be just fine.

Good luck, and keep us posted if we can help!

profileusername · Answer

Thankyou Kate. Your prompt reply is really helpful.

So let's get down to the details. First of all, I might not seem to be in a hurry as most of the application deadlines have already passed, especially considering the fact that I'd like to secure a scholarship (need or merit based) as well as an international applicant. Another reason is that of the two years of work experience, 1 year was in a startup without any managerial responsibilities and won't be considered impressive. The 2nd year is not necessarily of managerial nature but is in a fortune 500 company and I have a lot to show to the adcom from the latter year (performance appraisals, in-line for promotion, managers' feedback etc.). i am 24 right now but that's not to say that I'm willing to reach the average MBA age. That's one of the reasons why I'm willing to leave a top 25 if a good school outside of those can take me in despite limited work experience.
I'm planning to apply this year but I just started my research after I took the GMAT in the mid of this January so yeah the deadlines have passed or are approaching fast. Also an additional year of work experience would be quite valuable. With that in mind, I do want to apply to some schools this year and assess the responses from adcoms which will give me a better picture of my own standing. So I'll apply for schools that have March as their international applicants deadline. Although, Im willing to delay it to the next year if I can more accurately asses my chances and this is where you come in to play.

Secondly, there are only a few schools that have interested me so far and in fact, I'd like to know how high I could go up the university ranks for applications without hurting the probability of getting the admission and without re-taking the test as I can't afford to spend another month for preparation. Having said that, UBC Sauder has interested me so far the most considering time taken and ROI. Other programs are MBA programs from McGill: Desautels and Rochester: Simon and Emory as I love the nature of the program (though I know its very competitive for me).

Thirdly, I am well aware that even if my GMAT is good enough, my work experience would still remain a big drawback which I'm hoping to cover through my side interests of stock investment and content writing that I can prove through internship experiences and my individual endeavours in these fields. My primary concerns are getting into MBA as young as I can and for that I wont mind going 10 universities down in the ranking when I apply.

Now comes the tricky part: my electives would primarily consist of finance courses along with an operations management course. I have majored in finance in my bachelors with 3.33 CGPA. I have studied business mathematics, Commercial Banking, Analysis for Financial Statements and these kind of courses securing A and B grades. I got a C in Budgeting which was the first finance course but I guess that would be overshadowed with grades secured later. Furthermore, in my higher secondary school (equivalent of A-levels), I have studied Calculus (integration, derivation) and probability and statistics with 75-85% marks in these specific subjects.

I hope I made my perspective clear. I need guidance on each of the mentioned concerns.

Thankyou.

mbaMissionKate · Answer

Thanks for the additional details. It sounds like you've got some good business / quant courses under your belt, so that should help. Since you are an international applicant who is seeking scholarship money, I would strongly recommend waiting another year and applying Round 1. That will give you time to retake the GMAT and boost your score, give you nearly another year of work experience, and avoid the March deadlines, which can be much more competitive. Plus scholarship money is much more available the earlier you apply. I strongly believe you should apply when your application is at the best it can be, and I think the extra time would really help you. But if you do decide to apply to some schools this year....since we have concerns about your work experience then I would look at schools where your overall GMAT score is significantly above the school's average (e.g., schools with average schools in the 650-670 range).

Good luck!

Good luck!

GMAT 690; Low Quant and IR.

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