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12 Aug 2019, 08:27
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Hello! I'm currently deciding whether I should retake the GMAT and would greatly appreciate a profile review so I can make an informed decision. My applicant details are below:
Northwestern undergrad, 3.4 GPA, marketing and communications
690 GMAT score (2nd attempt)
Black woman, currently 27 years old (not applying to schools until fall 2020, to begin school fall 2021)
Work history: communications consultant for federal healthcare agencies (2 years, one promotion); healthcare public relations manager (top agency) for large pharma companies (3 years, two promotions)
Extra-curriculars: mentor in a program for first generation, minority college students (5 years), founder and director of a program at my job where we bring high school students from underprivileged neighborhoods on the west and south side of Chicago to tour our office, show them what we do daily, take them through industry case studies and provide a short summer internship to a senior (1 year so far); travel blogger (1.5 years, I have a decent/loyal following, but could definitely take it to the next level if I had more time to devout to it)
Dream schools: HBS, Kellogg, Booth, Wharton, Stanford, Columbia, full-time 2-year programs - not in the financial/consulting track, looking to stay in healthcare industry/work in biotech
Let me know if there's any other information you need in order to provide a recommendation.
My issue is that I took the GMAT on Saturday for a second time and got a 690 (first attempt three weeks ago I received a 660, way below what I have gotten on practice tests, I cancelled that score). I know a 690 is a pretty good score, but I was aiming for 700-720, and I've gotten a 700 and a 720 on recent practice tests, so I think it could be achievable.
Wondering if it's worth taking for a third time? I feel like the pressure is off now that I have a 690, so part of me feels like I might as well to just see if I can break the 700s, especially since I'm aiming for top-tier universities. But the other part of me feels like I've been studying since February and I don't know if I have 3-4 more weeks of studying in me to really improve my score. Perhaps that time would be better served improving other parts of my application, although I realize I have a full year basically until I apply, so it's not like I'm tight on time or anything.
Really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!
Northwestern undergrad, 3.4 GPA, marketing and communications
690 GMAT score (2nd attempt)
Black woman, currently 27 years old (not applying to schools until fall 2020, to begin school fall 2021)
Work history: communications consultant for federal healthcare agencies (2 years, one promotion); healthcare public relations manager (top agency) for large pharma companies (3 years, two promotions)
Extra-curriculars: mentor in a program for first generation, minority college students (5 years), founder and director of a program at my job where we bring high school students from underprivileged neighborhoods on the west and south side of Chicago to tour our office, show them what we do daily, take them through industry case studies and provide a short summer internship to a senior (1 year so far); travel blogger (1.5 years, I have a decent/loyal following, but could definitely take it to the next level if I had more time to devout to it)
Dream schools: HBS, Kellogg, Booth, Wharton, Stanford, Columbia, full-time 2-year programs - not in the financial/consulting track, looking to stay in healthcare industry/work in biotech
Let me know if there's any other information you need in order to provide a recommendation.
My issue is that I took the GMAT on Saturday for a second time and got a 690 (first attempt three weeks ago I received a 660, way below what I have gotten on practice tests, I cancelled that score). I know a 690 is a pretty good score, but I was aiming for 700-720, and I've gotten a 700 and a 720 on recent practice tests, so I think it could be achievable.
Wondering if it's worth taking for a third time? I feel like the pressure is off now that I have a 690, so part of me feels like I might as well to just see if I can break the 700s, especially since I'm aiming for top-tier universities. But the other part of me feels like I've been studying since February and I don't know if I have 3-4 more weeks of studying in me to really improve my score. Perhaps that time would be better served improving other parts of my application, although I realize I have a full year basically until I apply, so it's not like I'm tight on time or anything.
Really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!
12 Aug 2019, 20:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi jazzjchi0409!
Thanks for reaching out. Short answer is yes, I would retake! But let me walk you through my thinking. You've got a strong GPA from a great school, though at the very top schools like Harvard, average GPA tends to run closer to 3.5/3.6. From a work experience standpoint, everything sounds very strong, I see no concerns there and the promotions and focus on healthcare/pharma are great. Your extra-curriculars are very strong, impressive that you started/launched an initiative that gives back through mentorship. Also nice to show personal drive with the travel blogging - definitely keep that up until you apply.
Circling back on the GMAT -- with your profile, 690 is a good score. I think it could make the top schools like Harvard/Wharton/Stanford still challenging, though it puts you in range. But the biggest reasons to retake are a) you have plenty of time! (there's really not much else to be doing other than school research/networking right now); b) schools would not view 3 attempts negatively, in fact it shows dedication to improve; c) you clearly have a higher score in you based on your practice tests. I would push the studying a bit further, with some targeted prep, and hopefully with a good score in your pocket, you will get a great score. I think it's worth the investment now in your case.
Hope that helps, and keep us posted on how it goes!
Kate
Thanks for reaching out. Short answer is yes, I would retake! But let me walk you through my thinking. You've got a strong GPA from a great school, though at the very top schools like Harvard, average GPA tends to run closer to 3.5/3.6. From a work experience standpoint, everything sounds very strong, I see no concerns there and the promotions and focus on healthcare/pharma are great. Your extra-curriculars are very strong, impressive that you started/launched an initiative that gives back through mentorship. Also nice to show personal drive with the travel blogging - definitely keep that up until you apply.
Circling back on the GMAT -- with your profile, 690 is a good score. I think it could make the top schools like Harvard/Wharton/Stanford still challenging, though it puts you in range. But the biggest reasons to retake are a) you have plenty of time! (there's really not much else to be doing other than school research/networking right now); b) schools would not view 3 attempts negatively, in fact it shows dedication to improve; c) you clearly have a higher score in you based on your practice tests. I would push the studying a bit further, with some targeted prep, and hopefully with a good score in your pocket, you will get a great score. I think it's worth the investment now in your case.
Hope that helps, and keep us posted on how it goes!
Kate
jazzjchi0409
Hello! I'm currently deciding whether I should retake the GMAT and would greatly appreciate a profile review so I can make an informed decision. My applicant details are below:
Northwestern undergrad, 3.4 GPA, marketing and communications
690 GMAT score (2nd attempt)
Black woman, currently 27 years old (not applying to schools until fall 2020, to begin school fall 2021)
Work history: communications consultant for federal healthcare agencies (2 years, one promotion); healthcare public relations manager (top agency) for large pharma companies (3 years, two promotions)
Extra-curriculars: mentor in a program for first generation, minority college students (5 years), founder and director of a program at my job where we bring high school students from underprivileged neighborhoods on the west and south side of Chicago to tour our office, show them what we do daily, take them through industry case studies and provide a short summer internship to a senior (1 year so far); travel blogger (1.5 years, I have a decent/loyal following, but could definitely take it to the next level if I had more time to devout to it)
Dream schools: HBS, Kellogg, Booth, Wharton, Stanford, Columbia, full-time 2-year programs - not in the financial/consulting track, looking to stay in healthcare industry/work in biotech
Let me know if there's any other information you need in order to provide a recommendation.
My issue is that I took the GMAT on Saturday for a second time and got a 690 (first attempt three weeks ago I received a 660, way below what I have gotten on practice tests, I cancelled that score). I know a 690 is a pretty good score, but I was aiming for 700-720, and I've gotten a 700 and a 720 on recent practice tests, so I think it could be achievable.
Wondering if it's worth taking for a third time? I feel like the pressure is off now that I have a 690, so part of me feels like I might as well to just see if I can break the 700s, especially since I'm aiming for top-tier universities. But the other part of me feels like I've been studying since February and I don't know if I have 3-4 more weeks of studying in me to really improve my score. Perhaps that time would be better served improving other parts of my application, although I realize I have a full year basically until I apply, so it's not like I'm tight on time or anything.
Really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!
Northwestern undergrad, 3.4 GPA, marketing and communications
690 GMAT score (2nd attempt)
Black woman, currently 27 years old (not applying to schools until fall 2020, to begin school fall 2021)
Work history: communications consultant for federal healthcare agencies (2 years, one promotion); healthcare public relations manager (top agency) for large pharma companies (3 years, two promotions)
Extra-curriculars: mentor in a program for first generation, minority college students (5 years), founder and director of a program at my job where we bring high school students from underprivileged neighborhoods on the west and south side of Chicago to tour our office, show them what we do daily, take them through industry case studies and provide a short summer internship to a senior (1 year so far); travel blogger (1.5 years, I have a decent/loyal following, but could definitely take it to the next level if I had more time to devout to it)
Dream schools: HBS, Kellogg, Booth, Wharton, Stanford, Columbia, full-time 2-year programs - not in the financial/consulting track, looking to stay in healthcare industry/work in biotech
Let me know if there's any other information you need in order to provide a recommendation.
My issue is that I took the GMAT on Saturday for a second time and got a 690 (first attempt three weeks ago I received a 660, way below what I have gotten on practice tests, I cancelled that score). I know a 690 is a pretty good score, but I was aiming for 700-720, and I've gotten a 700 and a 720 on recent practice tests, so I think it could be achievable.
Wondering if it's worth taking for a third time? I feel like the pressure is off now that I have a 690, so part of me feels like I might as well to just see if I can break the 700s, especially since I'm aiming for top-tier universities. But the other part of me feels like I've been studying since February and I don't know if I have 3-4 more weeks of studying in me to really improve my score. Perhaps that time would be better served improving other parts of my application, although I realize I have a full year basically until I apply, so it's not like I'm tight on time or anything.
Really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!
20 Aug 2019, 09:57
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply mbaMissionKate! After careful consideration I have decided to really focus on upping my quant score to at least a 47 and securing a 720 the third time around. It can only help make my profile that much more competitive for my dream schools, I have the time and now with a 690 I feel minimal pressure. Thanks so much for the guidance!
