My Dilemma - Suggestions Please?

Question

I have been waitlisted by Cornell and now USC. I haven't had my feedback session with Cornell yet, but USC very frankly asked me to retake the GMAT. All the other aspects of my application are good except for my score, they said.

Ideally, I'd like to buy more time because I have yet to hear back from two other schools (Boston University and University of Washington). I'd be happy to attend either school if accepted, except I probably won't hear back from them until next month, hopefully. And if they too reject/waitlist me, I will definitely retake the exam (but obviously I'm trying to avoid that).

So the question is: how should I respond to USC at this point? Should I say I will consider retaking the GMAT next month? Of course, another concern is that the spots may be taken up if I don't take the exam ASAP. Ahhh this is driving me nuts!

Any suggestions? What would you do?

pandeyrav · Answer

If i were in your shoes and if USC or Cornell was my top choice then i would retake the GMAT.

notokung · Answer

Just retake the GMAT. Higher score cannot hurt you in any ways.

solaris1 · Answer

Would you mind disclosing what your GMAT score was rampup82?

rampup82 · Answer

Yes it won't hurt but I honestly don't know how much more gas I have in my tank anymore. The last few months have been tough. But I guess no pain, no gain...?

Pandeyrav: Cornell and USC are not my first choice per se; I'd honestly be happy to attend any school I applied to.

kryzak · Answer

I would try to stall.

Let USC know you're still very interested, and you will try to schedule a GMAT Test in the very near future. If you don't mind spending money, book a GMAT date after the other two schools' decisions are released, so you can cancel if you get accepted in either one of them.

I understand how exhausting it is at the end of the process to have to take the GMAT again, but you have to understand, if you want to avoid the GMAT, you will have to take the risk of USC's spots filling up. Though by next month, they'll still be reading R2 applications, so I don't think you need to worry about that risk much.

Travel09 · Answer

It looks like you do not have preference among the schools you applied. So all schools are equally preferred. Why do you want to jeopardize your chances at USC by not retaking GMAT? I know its easier said than done but just a thought.

riverripper · Answer

You can easily buy time, just call and say you are extremely interested but want to study harder for this one so that you can ensure you bring your score up. Thats what you should do anyways, study hard for at least a month...at which point you may hear from the other schools. If you get into there you dont have to take the GMAT, but if you dont get in then you are ready to take the GMAT.

I dont know where you live but where I live it was pretty easy to get a GMAT test time within a week or two as long as you arent really picky about the time. I wouldnt book it before you know because if you cancel too late you may eat the $250.

rampup82 · Answer

thanks for the suggestions guys. i decided to tell USC that i plan on retaking the exam next month and will update them on my progress. hopefully i will hear back from the other 2 schools in the meantime. i will, however, study again for a bit and see how it goes. if i get waitlisted/rejected from the other schools too then i'll have to study for the exam anyway. but if i do get in, then great...time to burn the books.

thanks again for everyone's input. cross your fingers!

p.s. i tried giving kudos but i get error messages for some...?

thanks again for everyone's input. cross your fingers!

p.s. i tried giving kudos but i get error messages for some...?

kryzak · Answer

good luck rampup82!

What errors were you getting?

rampup82 · Answer

thanks!

here's the error message i got:

ERROR
The requested URL could not be retrieved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following error was encountered:

Zero Sized Reply 
Squid did not receive any data for this request.

kryzak · Answer

strange, are you still getting the error? Let me post this to tino to check.

rampup82 · Answer

yup, stilling getting the same message...at least for you.

kryzak · Answer

really? only for me and not for others?

I sent your message to tino, we'll see what he says...

rampup82 · Answer

not just you, a few others too. i gave kudos to riverripper and his worked. got another question for you guys :-D

: my feedback session with cornell is scheduled for jan 21. i don't know if i should send a follow up/update email to the adcom before then, since my last interaction with them was on december 3rd (my interview date). or do you think i should just wait until after my feedback session? don't want them to forget me...especially since they're now reviewing R2 applicants!

kryzak · Answer

maybe river is blocking kudos to other people with his mod power?

Anyway, do you have something substantial to update the adcom? If not, I would probably just wait until the interview. If you're really worried and Cornell doesn't mind extra communication, you could send them an email confirming the details of the feedback session (like where to go, what time, what to wear, etc...) and tell them how you look forward to the session and things like that. The 21st will come very soon, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about them forgetting you.

smithjn · Answer

I can totally relate to your situation its really stressful waiting on multiple schools while trying to decide your next move. Since USC mentioned the GMAT specifically it might help to tell them you are open to retaking it but want to see how things play out with Boston University and the University of Washington first. That keeps your options open and still shows interest. I have heard of applicants improving their chances by simply communicating continued enthusiasm and a concrete plan, even if they have not retaken the test yet. Its all about timing kind of like coordinating a ride with Metrowestcarservice you just want everything to line up smoothly. By the way do you know what GMAT range USC considers strong enough for their admitted students?

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