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mandrew
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PHD Expectation vs. Actual Student GMAT Profile 01 Oct 2013, 02:42
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I'm getting quite confused by these business school admission websites. I've just seen one that says that they "typically expect a GMAT score of 650 from applicants", however their student profile (admitted students) shows that the average GMAT score of the class is 710. Firstly, is this just because smarter students generally have higher GMAT scores, or because the school favours students with 700+ scores? Secondly, should I apply if I get a 650 GMAT score?
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TechWithNoExp
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Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
Schools: CBS '16 (D) Kellogg '16 (WL) Anderson '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
Schools: CBS '16 (D) Kellogg '16 (WL) Anderson '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
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PHD Expectation vs. Actual Student GMAT Profile 01 Oct 2013, 04:00
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Why don't you read this post
gmat-and-mba-159618.html
and others like it
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mandrew
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PHD Expectation vs. Actual Student GMAT Profile 01 Oct 2013, 04:08
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Because that focuses on MBAs and GMAT scores, my question is regarding PHDs and GMAT scores. Equivocal?
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TechWithNoExp
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Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
Schools: CBS '16 (D) Kellogg '16 (WL) Anderson '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
Schools: CBS '16 (D) Kellogg '16 (WL) Anderson '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
Posts: 80
Kudos: 137
PHD Expectation vs. Actual Student GMAT Profile 01 Oct 2013, 06:27
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Sorry my bad.
I thought you meant an MBA because of the
"however their student profile (admitted students) shows that the average GMAT score of the class is 710"
Which I attributed to an MBA program website.

I don't know about PHDs. I thought they did GREs
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jumsumtak
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PHD Expectation vs. Actual Student GMAT Profile 01 Oct 2013, 13:52
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mandrew
I'm getting quite confused by these business school admission websites. I've just seen one that says that they "typically expect a GMAT score of 650 from applicants", however their student profile (admitted students) shows that the average GMAT score of the class is 710. Firstly, is this just because smarter students generally have higher GMAT scores, or because the school favours students with 700+ scores? Secondly, should I apply if I get a 650 GMAT score?
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Dont know much about phd programs. I'll give my view based on my knowledge of MBA programs and you may extrapolate.

To your first and second questions - yes and yes.

Smarter people do have better GMAT scores. 'Smarter', of course, is subjective. But, I'd put those who are looking to get a phd in business into the 'smart' bucket (gross generalization, but you get the point). This basically raises the bar for everyone.

So, if you have 100 applicants with 720+ scores, 50 with 670-700, and rest with 650, people with lower scores will need to compensate for their weak scores with something extraordinary in their profile/work experience. In a very crude form - this just means that people with 650s, on average, are not able to compensate for their low scores. Few do, but majority doesn't. It is similar to resigning your fate in someone else's hands. You are hoping the 720 guys weren't as good as you in other areas. Having said that, there are people with extra-ordinary things on their resumes.

Also, I feel all this is irrelevant to some extent because people do max out on their scores after a few attempts. So, just take the GMAT, and try to be as close to the average. If you fall short, assess your position.

Essence: take your gmat and research other people's profile who get in. If you know you are a stud, apply with 650. Otherwise retake. Cooh?