danzig wrote:
Hi buddies!
I am in the last part of my preparation to take the GMAT. My goal has always been 750 (Q50 V42), and based on my CATs, I think I can do it. Just I need a little more practice, specially in timing.
However, I would like to know whether there is a great difference between let's say a 750 and a 710 in the decision of the admission boards in school such as HBS or Stanford. I have a very good GPA; I was the best student of my class and the best student in other academic programs in which other students of diverse universities participated.
Don't get me wrong. I am not being mediocre. The thing is that I don't want to waste my time. I have not taken the TOEFL or IELTS yet, and I need time to write my essays too. In this sense, I really want to know whether a 750 will make a difference or will be just marginal. Maybe a 710 or a 720 is enough, considering my other academic achievements and my work experience.
Thanks!
I don't think it matters really for the top 10 schools. Few schools will worry about 14 or 10 points that you will be below the average with 3 caveats:
1. I have heard consultants mention that if you are from a highly competitive background without much of a differentiation, you want to use the score to help you jump out - at least something to differentiate you or put you closer to the top of the group than the bottom (people tend to take easier paths and shortlisting candidates by a number is much easier than by quality of experience or interview results).
2. If your GPA is low/below average - you will have to demonstrate you can be taught.
3. The top 50 or top 100 schools sometimes have been known to try to attract students with higher scores and better profiles with scholarships. Otherwise, I don't think you need to obsess. I would definitely not cut you short on your essay writing time and use it for retaking/prepping more as that's a whole different ball of wax that will need a lot of time to write, revise, and repeat over and over again.
Good Luck!
BB
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