Hi there,
Thanks for your post, it sounds like the GMAT has been frustrating for you. Given the info you've shared here, which of course is not the full picture that admissions would see (such as your prior leadership experience, accomplishments, specific impact made, people & project management skills, activities even in college, recommendations, essays etc)..... the schools you have listed do sound like reaches with the current GMAT. Given what I've seen applicants accomplish GMAT-wise in the past with good preparation programs, I'd encourage you not to give up on the GMAT yet... OR consider the GRE! The GRE can be a good alternative for those who struggle with the GMAT. Part of the whole question might be how much preparation you've done..... for example, most successful applicants prepare for 2-3 months. A reputable course (Manhattan, Kaplan) will make a big difference. A private tutor can help by sitting and watching exactly what YOU are doing and where you are going wrong or where you could save time etc. Taking weekly practice tests, and then reviewing them the next day very carefully, is also key. By doing all of the above your later/higher practice test scores would give you an indicator of how things are going, though it's also common for people to improve on the final/real exam even further.
If you consider the GRE, try taking a free online practice test first to see what you think of that test format and how you are starting out score-wise.
This may be easier to speak about in a free consultation, so feel free to sign up at
www.mbamission.com/consult if that would be useful to you. Good luck on the process!
theiceman9081 wrote:
Hello everyone,
So I have taken the GMAT twice after a few months of studying and have only managed to land a score of 610. Underwhelming, I know. I'm retaking the GMAT but don't feel I'll do much better unless it's out of sheer luck.
I understand that the GMAT score is only one data point, so considering that I have strong work experience (5-6 years), albeit in a mid-sized company, a relatively impressive upwards salary trajectory (current total compensation $100k+), and a high GPA, albeit from a no-name university, do I stand a chance at a top-tier university for an MBA?
Some of my shortcomings may include a mediocre GMAT score, a no-name undergrad university, a no-name company (but again, the work experience and exposure within the company could be relatively impressive), and a lack of "extracurricular activities."
I am a U.S. citizen, male, in my late 20's, of Asian descent, and current work in IT/Management Consulting for a mid-sized company in a mid-sized city in the U.S.
Some dream schools: UCLA, USC, CMU, Duke, Univ. of Washington
Looking at my profile, would you say that these schools are within reach?
Thanks!