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Should I write the Optional Essay?

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LevelX
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Should I write the Optional Essay? [#permalink] New post   12 Dec 2011, 11:59
I am finishing up my applications and I am trying to decide whether or not to write the optional essay to explain my very low gmat score of 590(v/36)(q/35). I have A's in Stats Financial Accounting,Money & Banking, and Intermediate Micro & Intermediate Macro so I figure that those courses should offset my poor gmat quant score.

Also, I am not sure how to go about beginning the essay, how long it should be, or even what I should say. I would appreciate any help you could offer as I would like to get writing asap.
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cheetarah1980
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Re: Should I write the Optional Essay? [#permalink] New post   12 Dec 2011, 12:27
LevelX wrote:
I am finishing up my applications and I am trying to decide whether or not to write the optional essay to explain my very low gmat score of 590(v/36)(q/35). I have A's in Stats Financial Accounting,Money & Banking, and Intermediate Micro & Intermediate Macro so I figure that those courses should offset my poor gmat quant score.

Also, I am not sure how to go about beginning the essay, how long it should be, or even what I should say. I would appreciate any help you could offer as I would like to get writing asap.


How many times have you taken the GMAT? And where did you do your undergrad degree?
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Re: Should I write the Optional Essay? [#permalink] New post   12 Dec 2011, 12:34
I took the Gmat twice the first time I got a 580 and the second a 590. I got my undergrad degree from SUNY Albany in economics with a 3.8+ overall and 3.9+ major gpa.
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Re: Should I write the Optional Essay? [#permalink] New post   12 Dec 2011, 12:38
LevelX wrote:
I took the Gmat twice the first time I got a 580 and the second a 590. I got my undergrad degree from SUNY Albany in economics with a 3.8+ overall and 3.9+ major gpa.


My parents went to SUNY Albany. I grew up in Latham!

Hmmm...I would consider taking the GMAT one more time before writing the optional essay. Even with the GPA and good grades in quant classes it can still be a deal breaker for many schools. When the score is sub 600 I think they really want to see that you've tried to get it up before you attribute the score to "not being indicative of your abilities." But I am not an adcom and I'm still waiting on decisions so that I'm obviously not an expert in what schools are looking for.
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Re: Should I write the Optional Essay? [#permalink] New post   12 Dec 2011, 12:42
Small world. Thanks for your help, I did want to take it one more time but I think deadlines are fast approaching and I hear it is a better idea to apply with a lower gmat in the 1st round than a slightly higher one in the 2nd or 3rd. Still thinking about it though.
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Re: Should I write the Optional Essay? [#permalink]
12 Dec 2011, 12:42

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