Poor GMAT score, but Round 2's are coming up - What to do?

Question

All,

This is my first time posting, so apologies if I'm breaking any forum rules (or did not find an appropriate thread to continue the conversation). I had my first GMAT exam just recently. I did alright during practices (~700), but I got nervous and bombed the real thing (640 - 43/35).

So up until now, I had an okay profile that I thought would make me somewhat competitive for the schools I'm applying to - Wharton, Columbia, Stern, Darden, Booth... etc. I came from a top undergrad program (not US, but a target school that places well into US and overseas positions with large companies), a 3.6-3.7 gpa, good experience in finance (banking at a top BB bank) in US and overseas. I'm female, but not a URM, so not sure how much that matters.

Anyway - I want to get a sense of what I can do. I know I can write an optional essay to describe how I don't think exam represents my quant and verbal capabilities, coming from a very rigorous work/school background, and I can say that I intend to re-take the exam. But I can't re-take the exam for another month. I'm just wondering if it's possible to send a note to these schools to tell them I've got new info (hopefully a better gmat score 1 mth from now) and for it to be considered before interviews?

Or should I just take my chances with R3?

I won't go into it, but holding off and applying for R1 next year is not really an option.

Thoughts? I would really appreciate the advice or any personal stories that are similar or helpful. And if you happen to know what the procedure is like at these schools for something like this (i.e., submitting extra info after the fact).

Thanks in advance!

gentlejack · Answer

A 640 is not a bad score, but the schools you are looking at are all Top15 and have an average of well over 700. That said, they surely accept people with such a score who have outstanding profiles in other aspects. If that is not the case for you, it is rather unlikely they pick you over peers with higher scores, as the average GMAT of admitted students directly influences most rankings. Some schools will take a new GMAT into account even after you submitted your application, but if they have already looked at your application and decided against you, i am sure it is not easy to convice them to change their mind, even with a very high score.

To make a long story short, R3 might be the more straight forward way. You can apply at 1 or 2 schools in R2 and update them with your test results, but be prepared that it might not work out.

To make a long story short, R3 might be the more straight forward way. You can apply at 1 or 2 schools in R2 and update them with your test results, but be prepared that it might not work out.

cc43 · Answer

Thanks gentlejack, what would you consider a good enough profile that they would look the other way on the gmat? I have a background in investment banking and finance from some top global firms and in my roles I have demonstrated very strong quant and verbal skills. And I think my undergrad score and schooling, and my recs would all point to that. But the gmat is saying something different.

I am also applying to Darden as well - and I have had experience with case based studies. But I wonder if they would view the gmat more heavily than everything else?

I have seen another post on the board where someone with my exact score and background managed to get a better score and submitted them three weeks after he hit submit, and managed to get interviews at Booth and CBS (though I'm not sure if this was because he got new marks, or if they were already finished evaluating him and the new marks did or did not factor). I would link it here, except I need a minimum of five posts to do so. I tried to contact him, but it's been a few years since he's been an active member (2010)

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Submitting applications with a less than stellar mark, but a good gpa and job experience, and then resubmitting new scores after the fact? If so, does anyone know how long it takes these schools to process an application from their R2 date before giving out interviews?

Also - sorry for the noob question - how does the reporting of gmat scores by gmac work? I know I can submit unofficial scores to the schools, but it takes the gmac 20 days to send records. If I plan on submitting new gmat scores, do I want to ask gmac to hold off on sending the official reports to the schools? Can someone who has taken the gmat multiple times explain this to me?

gentlejack · Answer

Hm, hard to say what is good enough. Maybe it is easier the other way round: If they have 5 applicants with a similar profile to yours, but a higher GMAT, it is easy to say "no". If your profile is rather unique, and they think you would be a great contribution to the class, they might admit you despite a bit lower GMAT score. That said, as you have not applied anywhere yet, it is hard to know where you stand. I thought I hard a pretty good profile, but got denied by Tuck and made it into Darden with no $ (despite them having a scholarship that is just for people from my country - and no current students of my nationality). Maybe an admissions consultant, who has seen plenty of applicant profiles, can give you a better idea of your chances, but the only way to know for sure is to apply.

For the GMAT, your scores are made available to the schools electronically, and that goes pretty fast. After a week or so, your AWA is available and your score is official. All schools that you have given access to your scores can access the new score as well, although I don't think it is an automatic process at most schools to put new scores into current applications.

For the GMAT, your scores are made available to the schools electronically, and that goes pretty fast. After a week or so, your AWA is available and your score is official. All schools that you have given access to your scores can access the new score as well, although I don't think it is an automatic process at most schools to put new scores into current applications.

cc43 · Answer

Would you mind sharing your profile? I'm sure you got a great gmat score, but I'm just curious since you got accepted (and congrats).

gentlejack · Answer

Copied from the admit / ding thread:
 Program: MBA FT
Area of interest in MBA: General Management, Technology
GMAT: 700 (Q47 V38)
TOEFL: 115
GPA: 3.68 (evaluated) in Computer Science from a German university (Fachhochschule)
Work Experience: Nearly 8 years in IT security, the last 5 or so as a team leader
Nationality: German
Age: 31 (32 at matriculation)
Gender: M
Extra-curriculars/Community: Co-founded a non-profit when in college, quite active CouchSurfer

I would say
+ team leader (+ service / process manager, own budget etc.)
+ nationality
o GMAT / GPA
- unknown company (mostly operating locally)
- unknown undergraduate university (does not show up in international rankings)

cc43 · Answer

Thanks! what do you mean by 3.68 gpa evaluated? I'm guessing it's what you would have scored equivalent against the gpa system that Germany doesn't use?

For me right now it would be
+ work exp - investment banking at some blue chip global names
+ int'l exp
+ a top undergrad program in my country (should be recognized by b-schools)
- gmat (maybe very very mildly mitigated by a good gpa)

Since the admin offices are all closed now, I guess I'll have to wait until Monday to ask my questions on submitting additional info on scores.

But if other posters have any thoughts on my situation please let me know.

gentlejack · Answer

I had my GPA evaluated by a company about a year ago. Maybe I shouldn't have done it, as the German average does not include the first few semesters

Poor GMAT score, but Round 2's are coming up - What to do?

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