660 to a... 680 :-(

True, test time depends on personal preference. I know I would wake up every morning at 5am to study, and start my commute at 7. I've always found it easier to concentrate first thing in the morning.

I know admission into these programs doesn't rely solely on which companies you've worked for... but since I don't have a prestigious undergrad I think it would count a bit more. I haven't gone through one of the rigorous selection processes to get into either an ivy league or a big consulting firm. Although I've done very well and moved up in every job I've had, and I'll have great recommendations, I think it may be too many strikes against me before I get to tell adcoms my story.

I know a big reason behind my score was my inability to focus due to being sick. Also, being sick stressed me out, brought my confidence down, and just hurt my overall preformance. I was a mess.

I set out with a goal of at least 700 (but secretly 740). Although I know I haven't hit the highest I can score, there is always a chance I dont break 700 again... so I guess I need to figure out if the risk of scoring under 700 for a 3rd time is worth it.

yeah 680 (85th percentile) will get you into a great school if you have a strong undergrad and work experience... I cant afford another strike against me.

When I looked at the first sentence of your post it gave me a sense of happiness to see that you had progressed but the sad smiley told me that you are not completely happy. Please don't be disheartened. I am just out of college and still preparing for my first GMAT attempt but I must tell you that when I attended the GMAT fair organized by GMAC, I sat for discussions with various schools and there were many who raised questions about the impression that giving more than 2 attempts creates on the minds of the people on the selection board. You would be surprised to know that some of experts mentioned that it is not necessarily something that would weaken your application, especially if your scores have risen with each attempt.It shows that you have the patience, perseverance and endurance,it puts the impression out that you have the will and strength to achieve what you had set out to do.

Coming to your concerns about experience, I should tell you that I am currently unemployed,and straight out of college so I wanted to make sure that I gather the kind of experience that the top schools expect from a candidate. So more often than anything else, I asked them what they preferred- excellent experience in an average company or average(or even good) experience in an excellent company, and almost every single time the reply I got was that its what the candidate does that matters to them more than what the organization he worked for does. After all its you who's getting the MBA and not your firm. Its great people who make great companies, and not necessarily the other way round.

In my opinion, if you aren't happy with your scores, you should give it another shot, especially when you know you are already almost there. You made the effort, you deserve the result, just don't let your dream slip by.

I don't know about your application deadline situation. However if you have time would suggest to study for 1 or even 2 months to get to 720.

680 is 80%ile and 720 is 95%ile a big gap - you are beating the masses that you are supposed to beat to get a seat.

Its the way things should be however the reality is different. If you work in an excellent company - it already signals to the B School that you are a filtered candidate. Working at a no name company in an bad profile signals the opposite.
People starting their careers are inavriably given limited opportunities and roles and hence its very difficult to get differntiated on the basis of work alone. Do you wonder why they bring - GMAT/GPA/Extra -curriculars in the picture ?
Not trying to discourage you - just calling - spade a spade.

I still have time. I'm applying for fall of 2013, so I still have a full year in some cases. Planned on R2 of this year at first, but next year made more sense for me.

Its true. People who do well in high school go to top colleges, people who do well in top colleges got to top companies, people who go to top companies go to top B-Schools.

Those of us without that story need to stand out a bit more in other areas. I've worked for great companies, but not the best of the best. I went to a decent school, but not one of the best. I did very well on my GMAT, but I'm not in the top 90%. So... why would I assume I could make one of the best schools?

I ma be wrong, but I think someone with this type of background needs a great gmat score, so atleast adcom takes notice and gives that applicant a chance to tell their story.