Should i forget about Fall 2013 season?

Question

Hi ,

I just gave the GMAT and scored a mere 610. Q 45 & V 29. My GMAT prep scores were 650 & 670. Manhattan GMAT scores were 540, 610, 640, 650, 640. The real GMAT went just fine until i saw the score.

So my question is should i waste time and resources applying to the below colleges.
CMU Tepper
Purdue Krannert
Texas McCombs
NUS Singapore

all their GMAT averages seem to be around 680 and i am not in a position now to retake the test.

I have been working full time since 2010 & have 2 awards at work & 1 promotion (Negotiating the next one with my manager).
Work experience quality is good, constant interaction with the client & i can get good LOR's.
Average GPA, good extra-curriculars.

My question is will the schools even consider reading my application given the 610? Cause i dont want to be wasting a year putting all my efforts into essays and having a sad New-Year!. Let alone the costs of applying.

Please do let me know if you have an opinion.
Much appreciated!

Regards

AbeinOhio · Answer

If I were in your shoes, I would probably retake the test.. I scored a 670 and I am retaking later this month.

If retaking isnt in the cards, I would say apply to schools where your score is closer to the median.

GreginChicago · Answer

Here is the way I see it (anyone please correct me if I am wrong)

Your GPA and your GMAT score are the 2 quantitative elements an Adcom is going to be looking at first.
You can be part of the 70% of applicants who meet their expectations and have them look at the rest of your application
or you can be dinged right away.
Don't forget that they often have 5 times as much candidates than available slots...

Personally, I would work my ass off for an additional month, retake the exam and get a GMAT score above the median at the school you want to go to. Don't work this backwards: choose your B School, see what are their score requirements and then achieve the GMAT score needed.

Now, your GMAT and GPA are only 2 check boxes in your scorecard. If you really cannot retake the exam (why?) and have fantastic professional experience, extra curricular activities and have great essays, an Adcom is not going to see your GMAT score as the only reason to ding your application.
Remember: 50% of applicants are below the median...

Good luck whatever you decide to do!

StacyBlackman · Answer

Hi JohnnieWalker,

I recommend that you retake the GMAT test. Remember that your highest score is self-reported on your business school application, so admissions teams will focus on your best score.

If you decide to take the test again, here is some advice: https://www.stacyblackman.com/gmat-overview/

Cheers,

Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team

JohnnieWalker · Answer

Thanks a lot for all your replies. Kudos

The main reason i didnt want to retake is because of work. I work 12 hours a day and it gets really tough.

After thinking about it for a few days i have decided that i might as well have a go at it since i was constantly hitting the 650 mark. I am not naive enough to think that the 610 i got was not a true reflection of my abilities. Maybe 1 out of every 10 attempts would have been a 610 and incidently it happened at my first attempt. Hard luck, but i got to move on.

Im going to retake within the next 5-6 weeks & hope i get above the median for the 5 colleges mentioned cause im really not keen on any other program.

Thanks again for your time, as i know how precious everyone's is.

Regards

Should i forget about Fall 2013 season?

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