Low GMAT score=dealbreaker for applying for consulting concentration?
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05 Nov 2017, 20:44
This is a question that deals with GMAT score in combination with the application essays that ask for immediate post-MBA plans.
I'd like to work for a consulting company after completing an MBA Program. To get into a good consulting company (or maybe any that would be willing to support the employee for an H1B visa?), I've heard that a stellar GMAT score is required.
I've taken the GMAT twice but got a poor score on both tests. I'll be taking the test again (or maybe two more times if my next score is not great..) to try and raise my score to the high 600's-700's.
My big question is: will the B-school adcoms be less likely to accept a candidate who has a lower than average GMAT score and wants to pursue a career in the consulting industry?
I've heard that some students decide to change their career goals (ie: industry) after they start their MBA program, so there is a chance that I may change my plans to go into consulting post-MBA... but simply from an adcom's perspective, how does an applicant with a low GMAT score with a plan to go into consulting look? Will they be hesitant to accept such a student? In other words, if they have Applicant A who wants to go into consulting and Applicant B who wants to go into non-profit/entrepreneurship/marketing/etc and they both have a below average GMAT score with the same kind of educational/work background, which applicant would more likely be of interest to the adcoms? (*note: I'm not familiar with how GMAT scores are evaluated when applying to jobs at other industries, but I heard that it's crucial in the consulting industry...)
I'm afraid to start writing my application essays explaining that I'm interested in the consulting industry, but do poorly on the GMAT again and sort of create a "discrepancy" between my score and my post-MBA plan... Is that a total dealbreaker for B-school adcoms?
I'm willing to take the GMAT again even after I start B-school to increase my chance of getting into a good consulting company.
Any help would be appreciated! Thank you in advance!