blg529 wrote:
I don't think retaking the GMAT is going to get you up into that next tier of schools because schools generally care a lot more about GPA than GMAT and your GPA is still out of the range for that next tier of schools. Instead of spending time on retaking the GMAT, I would bump up your extracurricular activity (schools ask for time commitment and 1-2 hours isn't going to be very impressive), concentrate on doing well in your math class, and focus on making your applications the best they can be. Maybe pick one of those higher tier schools to throw in as a stretch school. Your key will be explaining fit with your alternative/interesting background. Good luck!
No offense intended, but this response seems a bit silly. I've got a calendar year before I have to submit my applications. Why would I NOT do everything I could to strengthen my profile? I don't know for certain that a 740 will get me into a school that a 690 won't, but why not try for it?
"...schools generally care a lot more about GPA than GMAT." Can you prove that statement? I've heard that schools take a holistic approach to applications, and that a really strong GMAT can help to compensate for a mediocre GPA.
I work a job that requires a lot of time... there is little chance that I'll be able to put more than 2 hours per week into meaningful extracurricular activity, and to be honest, I'd rather go into the app process with a stronger GMAT than a bunch of community service. I will look at other opportunities, but it is simply not feasible for me to spend 8 hours per week volunteering.
Again, thanks for the response, but I'm not sure I see the logic in not retaking the GMAT.
Edit: By the way, I'm not claiming that a higher GMAT score will give me a decent shot at that next tier. Even if it only gives me a better shot at a Georgetown or Wake Forest, I think it's worth a retake. If I were on an adcom and I had two candidates who were otherwise equal, but one had a GMAT >700 and another a 690, I know who I would take.