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10 Dec 2019, 15:41
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi all -
I am hoping to get some insight regarding the best path forward for me now. I had planned on applying round 2 of this year and was shooting for Top 10 schools (I live in the Boston area and have visited HBS for a class and an information session and loved it). However, I took the GMAT on 12/7 and scored a 600, only 20 points higher than my diagnostic CAT before 3.5 months of studying, an MPrep live course, and 90 hours of studying on my own.
So, I am wondering what the best path forward is. Should I retake and shoot for applying next year? Should I switch to the GRE? Should I wing it and apply with my 600 given my background? Should I apply round 3 (have always thought this was not advised but perhaps in my case it makes sense)? My goal was a top-10 program and remains so, I really only want to go back full-time to school for a certain level of education.
Background info:
- 27 year old white female
- 4+ years work experience at Sanofi Genyme, starting as a contracted project manager, then a full-time project manager, now in global demand management (in an Associate Director level role, if anyone is familiar with pharma leveling) - very high exposure / cross-functional roles managing high-profile programs, significant international experience both traveling and engaging with other functions of the business at the global and regional levels
- part-time pilates fitness instructor since 2016 as a second job / passion for health and wellness
- Vanderbilt University 2014 grad, GPA 3.42, Psychology major, Financial Econ and Corp Strat minors
- GMAT first attempt: 600 overall, IR 8, Quant 35, Verbal 38
I would love to leverage an MBA to break into a new industry while utilizing my background in pharma. I was thinking either consulting or VC in the life sciences.
I welcome any and all suggestions. I am truly at a crossroads right now and and unsure if I should try applying and focus on apps for the next month or retake an exam, or shift strategy entirely.
I am hoping to get some insight regarding the best path forward for me now. I had planned on applying round 2 of this year and was shooting for Top 10 schools (I live in the Boston area and have visited HBS for a class and an information session and loved it). However, I took the GMAT on 12/7 and scored a 600, only 20 points higher than my diagnostic CAT before 3.5 months of studying, an MPrep live course, and 90 hours of studying on my own.
So, I am wondering what the best path forward is. Should I retake and shoot for applying next year? Should I switch to the GRE? Should I wing it and apply with my 600 given my background? Should I apply round 3 (have always thought this was not advised but perhaps in my case it makes sense)? My goal was a top-10 program and remains so, I really only want to go back full-time to school for a certain level of education.
Background info:
- 27 year old white female
- 4+ years work experience at Sanofi Genyme, starting as a contracted project manager, then a full-time project manager, now in global demand management (in an Associate Director level role, if anyone is familiar with pharma leveling) - very high exposure / cross-functional roles managing high-profile programs, significant international experience both traveling and engaging with other functions of the business at the global and regional levels
- part-time pilates fitness instructor since 2016 as a second job / passion for health and wellness
- Vanderbilt University 2014 grad, GPA 3.42, Psychology major, Financial Econ and Corp Strat minors
- GMAT first attempt: 600 overall, IR 8, Quant 35, Verbal 38
I would love to leverage an MBA to break into a new industry while utilizing my background in pharma. I was thinking either consulting or VC in the life sciences.
I welcome any and all suggestions. I am truly at a crossroads right now and and unsure if I should try applying and focus on apps for the next month or retake an exam, or shift strategy entirely.
11 Dec 2019, 21:18
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi and thanks for your post.
My suggestion would be to wait to apply to top schools next year in Round 1. You do have a solid profile with a lot of potential, but a 600 GMAT will make it very challenging to be admitted.
You can certainly re-take the GMAT 2-3 more times, although if your practice scores have not been significantly higher than a 600, then it may be tough to do significantly better on the actual exam, especially if you have already studied for more than enough time. But take it again, and if you're not seeing a big improvement (especially in your quant score), then yes- I would switch over to the GRE. You have the time - and hopefully the energy!
It is definitely okay to delay your applications by a year. You will only be at 5+ years of work experience, which is fine.
In general, you seem to have very solid work experience, having managed programs and collaborated with other teams. Keep that up, and perhaps even focus on an extracurricular activity. If you can create a compelling story (especially as a career switcher) and write strong essays, if you can improve your GMAT or GRE, you will give yourself a chance at a top program next year.
In the meantime, feel free to sign up for a free consultation to discuss your profile in greater detail.
Good luck!
My suggestion would be to wait to apply to top schools next year in Round 1. You do have a solid profile with a lot of potential, but a 600 GMAT will make it very challenging to be admitted.
You can certainly re-take the GMAT 2-3 more times, although if your practice scores have not been significantly higher than a 600, then it may be tough to do significantly better on the actual exam, especially if you have already studied for more than enough time. But take it again, and if you're not seeing a big improvement (especially in your quant score), then yes- I would switch over to the GRE. You have the time - and hopefully the energy!
It is definitely okay to delay your applications by a year. You will only be at 5+ years of work experience, which is fine.
In general, you seem to have very solid work experience, having managed programs and collaborated with other teams. Keep that up, and perhaps even focus on an extracurricular activity. If you can create a compelling story (especially as a career switcher) and write strong essays, if you can improve your GMAT or GRE, you will give yourself a chance at a top program next year.
In the meantime, feel free to sign up for a free consultation to discuss your profile in greater detail.
Good luck!
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