Hi there!
Yes, you definitely have your work cut out for you with 7 schools for Round 2!
Very interesting professional background, which will definitely stand out to schools, and your goals make sense given your non-profit experience.
How are your GPAs? If those are strong, like 3.5 or higher, I don't see a huge need for you to increase your GMAT. A 730 overall is a great score, and a 47 is usually the raw score I look for to demonstrate competence in MBA level quant topics. I have heard some schools say they look for 6 or higher on IR, but that's not a strict requirement, and a 5 is unlikely to significantly hurt your applications. So unless you have concerns about your GPA, I would focus on executing standout applications that clearly articulate your reasons to get an MBA and change careers and your particular reasons for why each school is a great fit.
Some of the schools (especially Harvard & Stanford) will be a reach, but even if you increased your score, those are so competitive that they would probably still be a reach!
Hope this helps, and best of luck with preparing your applications!
Kate
Geoviolin wrote:
Hello,
I'm hoping you can provide me some feedback on how to finish out my applications before Round 2 deadlines.
I come from a non-traditional background; I'm a violinist working at a major state university, and I've been the director of a non-profit music organization that I founded for the last 7 years. I'll have two years of full-time work experience entering my MBA. I'm looking to get into social impact consulting upon graduation. I hold degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music(BM, MM), Yale University(Artists Diploma), and Rice University (Doctorate, nearly completed).
My current GMAT score is a 730: 47Q44V IR5 AWA 6
I'm applying to top programs:
Harvard
Stanford
Wharton
IESE
Hass
Tuck
Stern
I'm currently trying to finish writing my essays and applications and preparing to take the retake the GMAT on January 3rd, but I'm finding it's pretty brutal to keep trying to study for the GMAT and work on the applications at the same. Could you provide me some feedback on what you think the best course of action will be? How badly will my Quant and IR score hurt my applications?
I would appreciate any insight you might have.
_________________
Kate Richardson
mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant
Chicago Booth Alum, over 80 5-star reviews on GMAT Club
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