gmatlover12 wrote:
Thanks for the all the replies, appreciate it! Not sure why so much hate though. I mean, I did not expect everyone to agree with me, but calling me myopic and grade/score obsessed when I have clearly mentioned that my focus is now fully on getting my application package ready and only then will I think of retaking the GMAT - I think it's a little quick to jump to hateful judgements.
For all those who mentioned that a 770 = 780, thanks, it is very gratifying to hear. At the risk of sounding like an ass, I'll still go ahead and say it - several admissions consultants had independently and clearly told me that a 770 would cut it, a 760 might cut it, a 750 doubtful to cut it - specifically for my profile which is crowded and overcompetitive (male engineer, low GPA from IIT, consulting, buy side finance). Of course I will focus on my essays and workex and what not, but at the end of it all, it does beg the question - will a 780 even slightly give a further edge? Say at a school like Tuck? I think so, because if a 770 clearly gives an edge over 760, then a 780 should over 770. But the same is not true for a 790 over 780, because it seems like last year only 3 people got into M7 with a 790. It's possibble that this is because perhaps only a single digit number of mba applicant even got a 790. Nevertheless, I don't think I am 790 material and the effort and anxiety in targeting 790 is not practical for me. So my line is at 780 (if I have the time after other application priorities are sorted out). Still seems like a reasonable argument to me.
Also, hope my debrief helps someone. For all the lurking I have done on this forum, this debrief is only my second post here. Happy to be a part of this community. I have been responsive to PMs over the last few days and will be happy to help and pay it forward.
gmatlover12 congratulations!!
I can totally understand your point of view. The world needs more people like you, who settle for nothing but the best. If not for people like you, humans would not have achieved amazing feats, for e.g. climbing Mt. Everest. For why would one risk their lives in the quest to be at the highest point in the world. But pioneers in mountaineering were people like you, they pushed themselves to their limits, put their lives at risk, to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. In achieving their stupendous feats, these pioneers paved the way for thousands of others, who every year walk in the very footsteps of these pioneers to reach at the top of the world. Pushing the boundaries of your potential is what expands the scope of your achievements. There will be undoubtedly great learning from your experience if you share it with your brethren on gmatclub. I would love to see you achieve that 780 or more. I wish you luck in your endeavor.
Also i can see your insecurity even after a 770, I understand that too. Why not dazzle the Adcom with a 780, when you clearly can? Right? After all Adcoms are human too, no matter what anyone tells you, a high score will always command respect & if it can help your application package rise above the rest, its always a win for you. As long as you can create a kickass application package & still manage a 780 on a repeat attempt, then why not? You should definitely go ahead with full steam & all guns blazing. The only resources that will be expended are time & money, if you can afford both, then go ahead by all means.
On the otherhand if you feel your application package has a set limitation & it has already been stretched to its maximum possible capacity. Then its always a good thing to have a solid score that will make the adcom think twice or maybe thrice before casting your application off.
Nonetheless a 780 will absolutely, make you stand above the rest.
It will be awesome to learn from your experience of going from 750 to 770 & then 780 or more, keep us updated.
Thanks
GyM