New to GMAT, studying while working

Question

Guys, I have started the GMAT prep recently. I am almost half way through my preparation. I took one paper test from kaplan premier book and scored 640. I am just wondering , how important is it to score above 700 for a parttime program. I live in virginia and planning to goto one of these 2 schools

1) georgetown
2) george washington university.

I have around 6 years of IT experience. Please advice. I know its really neat to have a good score in your pocket,but trying to understnad hte requirement.

Thanks !

phoenix09 · Answer

I think both of those schools have an average GMAT around 650ish..IMO you should be OK in that aspect of your application.

mba12tech · Answer

If you are in IT, I'd definitely consider Maryland's program over GW. If you like their program, then you'll be fine with anything over 600. For Georgetown, it really depends on the rest of your application package, as they are actually quite competitive.

skpMatcha · Answer

hey yes I am in IT. why do you prefer Marylands program over GW ? Please mention your reasons ?

mba12tech · Answer

Well, IMO Maryland's program (full or part-time) is simply a notch or two better than GW's in general. In the DC area, from what I can tell, Smith has a better reputation. You can also look at the various rankings to see that Smith is higher across the board.

For IT, Smith (and Maryland in general) is known to be a great school. USN ranks the full-time program at #6 for that specialty, and I'm sure that translates into a strength for the part-time program as well. I have a good friend who is about halfway through the part-time program, who is also in IT, and he has had no complaints so far.

Had I chosen to attend a part-time program in the DC area, I would have picked Georgetown (I liked the cohort program and I thought the quality of students was higher), but I would have also been happy with Maryland. GW is probably next best in the area, followed by George Mason and American. Johns Hopkins is a toss-up because it has the solid name but the program is very young.

skpMatcha · Answer

thanks for the inputs ! I will be happy if I get into any of these schools, concentrating on my GMAT for now. Planning to give it before the year end.

orsang8 · Answer

Good feedback so far. I'd add one thing...score as high as you can without stressing yourself out TOO much. It's likely that you'll receive some scholarship for scoring a 700 even though the avg score is sub-650 at your desired schools. Just my 2 cents.

skpMatcha · Answer

Guys, I wrote my gmat last friday and I got 640 (Q:48 V:30)

I have not written toefl yet, where can i get deadlines for schools ? Can I apply for spring ? or should I wait till fall ?

Please let me know.

New to GMAT, studying while working

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