Profile Evaluation

Question

Demographic:  White Male
 Age:  22 (applying in 2 or 3 years) (graduating in 2 weeks)

Goal:  Investment Banking

Education:  
Diagnostic before any study: 480 
GMAT 1: 580 
GMAT 2: 680 (Q46/V38) 
Undergraduate College: Top Liberal Arts School 
Undergraduate Major: Economics
Undergraduate Minor: Political Science 
Undergraduate GPA: 3.45

Work Experience: 
Internship Experience: Internships in Consulting (Boutique) / Mortgage Banking (Freshman and Sophomore) (licensed second year)
Full Time: BB  Operations  Analyst (JPM, GS, MS)

Extracurriculars 
Varsity Athlete (major sport at D3 school) (3-year starter) 
Study Abroad - Argentina

More Info:  
It took me 16 weeks of studying about 4-6 hrs/day for 6 days per week to get to 680. If possible, please let me know  the risk of scoring lower on my next test if I decide to take it  (let's say worst case scenario: 630). I would be able to study as if it were a full-time job (6 hrs a day) for 3 weeks before I start work. Please also let me know  which schools I could get into with the current profile  (hoping top 14), as well as the schools with a 700.

Please let me know if you need any more information. I really appreciate the feedback!

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

You won't really hurt your chances by taking the test again. While they see all of the scores, they really only pay attention to the highest one.

In order to give specific feedback, it would be good to know:

1) extra curriculars
2) performance and raises at work (tbd for you now)
3) specific undergrad school and increasing/decreasing/or steady grades

Feel free to email directly if you prefer not to post: [email protected]

fxMBAconsulting · Answer

Since you're already on a roll (upward momentum) with the GMAT you might as well retake it. As PMC mentioned, the school only focuses on the highest score for their statistics. If you get less than a 680+ you might want to cool it on the GMAT for a while. You could wait a year or two and the resit it when you get closer to actually submitting your application. This is basically the same technique that lawyers use to get their clients off - they postpone going to trial and try to 'distance themselves' from the crime. The only thing that I don't like about 4+ retakes in a short time span is that it really anchors you around whatever you're scoring...while the schools just use one data point for ranking reporting, a human being still sees all your scores (and unavoidably perhaps...makes some sort of assessment).

Let's just say I see someone with a 400, 440, 460 and then a 600. I'm thinking the 600 was the fluke. If I have another candidate who also has a 600 - from a reporting point of view I should be indifferent between the two. But if the second guy has a 580, 580, 600 I might look at him a little differently from the first guy.

Let's just say I see someone with a 400, 440, 460 and then a 600. I'm thinking the 600 was the fluke. If I have another candidate who also has a 600 - from a reporting point of view I should be indifferent between the two. But if the second guy has a 580, 580, 600 I might look at him a little differently from the first guy.

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

A few additional perspectives for you Bluepulaski1:
 
  While you have the right undergrad degree as well as the internship, your current role as Operations Analyst may not do wonders to your post-MBA goals of investment banking. Lot of folks think that merely by working in lets say GS, you can transition into i-banking. That is not necessarily true unless you are able to create an internal pull. So you need to either change the course of your career or your career aspirations here in my opinion 
  On the GMAT front, since you've already had two attempts, I would strongly recommend taking professional help (virtual/physical coaching) to bring a more structured approach 
  Finally, when it comes to the top schools, you really need all guns blazing. You may find our  Profile Builder  offering relevant as you are thinking through some of these areas

Cheers,

bluepulaski1 · Answer

Thanks for the advice guys. As long as there is little risk in taking it again, I have no problem taking it a third time. I really don't want to go back to it in a couple years, though, because I think I would have to start from square 1 again. That's why I am seriously considering taking it again in a few weeks. I just don't want to drop out of the top 20 schools if I have a bad day and score in the low to mid 600s.

GeneralEducation · Answer

Hi bluepulaski1,

I agree with the above comments here and recommend you to retake your GMAT one more time. It will also improve your chances of getting admit in top 20-30 global business schools. And MBA admissions committee only look after your highest GMAT score, they dont count your number of attempts.

Also since it is your third attempt, I would recommend you to take some professional GMAT instructors help and prepare for your GMAT.

You may also gauge your chances of getting admission to top business school by trying this amazing tool  https://bit.ly/1C9o2Md

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

CriticalSquare · Answer

Love to help you out but can you share some more info? Gender, age, ethnicity, relative performance at work, impact and scope, outside-of-work involvement, etc. The more you share, the more we can help!

Bhavik

Bhavik

bluepulaski1 · Answer

I think most of that is in there.

White Male
22 (applying when 25)
Performance at work -TBD (starting in two weeks)

Outside of work involvement 
-3 year starter college sport
-fraternity
-study abroad
-Next 2-3 years TBD

AugustAcademy · Answer

Hi bluepalaski,

You are probably going to be ok on the branding front (need more details, but based on what you've mentioned.). GPA is acceptable. GMAT is ok.

Now as for retaking the GMAT - one needs to evaluate if you've pushed yourself far enough. Theoretically tests like the GMAT are supposed to measure your performance level - so after a certain amount of preparation, your scores should plateau. The reason many people see an increase in their scores when they take it a second (or a third) time is because they suddenly start seeing how things fall into place, lets say in Critical reasoning. But if you're already there - you might not see a huge improvement.

It would be best to sit with a good tutor and get his assessment on whether you are maxing out on your performance. If they believe that you aren't then the time spent preparing for the third time would be useful. Otherwise, this time would be better spent working harder on your job/extra curricular.

Hope that helps,
Karthik

Profile Evaluation

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards