School Choices

Hi mbaMissionKrista, BrunoP,

Thank you very much for your inputs!

Just to give you a better view of my GMAT score, I have actually taken the test other times. One of the times I scored 650 (Q 42 / V 38) and I tried once again after the 660 and my score declined to 630. Unfortunatelly I didn't get the Q 47 and the V 38 in the same test, otherwise I think I would have reached 700.

So after spending several months studying, I decided to turn back my focus to my specialization course and also to start my research on the schools and on the other parts of the application. I know that I would be on the "low edge" of the GMAT range for most of the school that I intend to apply, but I have decided to apply to schools that are feasible with my current score - I excluded a couple of my initial options, such as Wharton and MIT, since these schools seem to be very sensitive to GMAT Score.

Considering this complementary information and my career goal (Management Consulting), if you were me, would you make any changes in the schools that I have selected? I was initially thinking to apply in the second round, if necessary, to Georgetown and Emory. I haven't done much research yet on USC, Notre Dame and Indiana, that you suggested, but I will also take a look on these schools.

Thanks again for your time and help!!

Hi again brazilclass2020

I appreciate the level of thought you've put into this process. It's a competitive one and unfortunately, it will be very difficult to crack the top six schools on your list with a 660. Your competition is just really just too tough.

So my answer on schools is pretty much the same as my initial response...If you were my package client, with a top score of 660, I would have you drop Tuck, Yale. Kellogg, and Darden. If you wanted to keep a reach school, keep Cornell and I think it's also worth trying at UNC, McCombs, and Tepper, but bear in mind at your GMAT is still below their averages. ("But I'm in the lower end of the range!" I can already here you say. Remember the range isn't evenly distributed and is likely clustered around the mean. Also, it's harder to be on the lower end of the range if you are from a competitive demographic. )

Then I think I'd have you research Georgetown, Notre Dame, Emory, USC, Indiana, Rotman, Kelley and IESE and pick the four that have what you want, career wise. (Check their published employment reports.) Also, based on your conversations with current students and staff, which schools do you feel the most connection to? Other things to think about...if you're more a city person, Georgetown and Emory are no-brainers. Also, you might want to be somewhere that's within an "easy" flight of Sao Paulo. For example, Notre Dame is a 90 minute drive to O'Hare Airport in Chicago, where there's a direct daily flight to GRU.) Please read our primer on choosing a b-school to help you list out what characteristics are most important to you: https://shop.mbamission.com/products/se ... ba-program)

For further advice, I recommend setting up a free consult with us. Link in our profile. I recommend just picking the date/time that works for you. You don't have to wait for me to be available!

Krista

Dear mbaMissionKrista,

Thank you very much for you time and help! It was great hearing from you, you really helped me!

I will research on the schools that you suggested to me and also check the guide on the link that you sent to me!

It would be great to schedule a consult with you, I will get in touch!

Thanks again!

Best Regards,
GJ