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The GMAT is holding me back... (in urgent need of advice)

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viiam
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The GMAT is holding me back... (in urgent need of advice) [#permalink] New post   03 Jan 2016, 03:12
I'm currently in an MHA program, however, my dream school is out of reach because of the GMAT. Both schools are fully accredited, however, the school that I want to attend has a residency implemented into the program while the one I'm currently in has nothing of the sort. In fact, I'm finding this program to be a joke... I don't know why some students stress out over the courses, it's a piece of cake and I feel like I can do so much better and learn so much more.

I've taken the official GMAT once and scored a 420. I didn't study, I practiced here and there - very little and sporadically. I have no one to blame but myself I know, and I thought I could just "settle" for the program I'm currently in (it didn't require the GMAT) and be fine with it as it is accredited, but I feel like I'm wasting my time here. I'm terrified of having no job prospects post graduation and know that I wouldn't be worried if I was in my dream program at the moment. I graduate in Spring of 2017, so I have 1.5 years more to go, but I'm having cold feet and want out of this program. The one I want to attend has a priority deadline of Feb 15th and a general admission deadline of April 15th. I'm taking 4 classes this upcoming Spring term but if I'm honest, I foresee myself having a lot of free time. My dream school's average GMAT score for last year's acceptance was a 634. Should I even give it a shot? I've taken 2 MGMAT practice tests before and scored around 530-550 and so I thought I would get around that score since I read that MGMAT was a good predictor of the official test score. I'm finding a huge variation in my score from MGMAT and practice tests from the official website. I score in the 400's on the official website, but in the 500's on MGMAT.

My question is, will this even be worth studying for at this point? Should I even try switching programs? I know that if I get accepted, I would pack my bags and leave the next day, however, the uncertainty in the GMAT is killing me. Both degrees hold the same value as they are both accredited, one program is just better (in terms of class size, rigor, and networking). I'm at a lost of what to do :(
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Re: The GMAT is holding me back... (in urgent need of advice) [#permalink] New post   03 Jan 2016, 12:12
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HI viiam,

From what you've described, it sounds like you're far more interested in the other Program, so it's doesn't seem like they both 'hold the same value.' This whole situation is ultimately about what YOU want for YOUR future, so there shouldn't be any trepidation here - you SHOULD take a shot at it.

All of that having been said, your original studies weren't well-structured or realistic. Using your Official GMAT Score (420) as a basis for comparison, you'll have to improve about 200 points (give or take) to get 'in the range' of this other Program. THAT task will take some considerable effort on your part. Considering the limited timeframe that you've described, you'll likely need to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led).

1) How soon would you be ready to begin?
2) How many hours do you think that you can put towards your GMAT studies in a typical week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Re: The GMAT is holding me back... (in urgent need of advice) [#permalink] New post   03 Jan 2016, 15:25
EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:
HI viiam,

From what you've described, it sounds like you're far more interested in the other Program, so it's doesn't seem like they both 'hold the same value.' This whole situation is ultimately about what YOU want for YOUR future, so there shouldn't be any trepidation here - you SHOULD take a shot at it.

All of that having been said, your original studies weren't well-structured or realistic. Using your Official GMAT Score (420) as a basis for comparison, you'll have to improve about 200 points (give or take) to get 'in the range' of this other Program. THAT task will take some considerable effort on your part. Considering the limited timeframe that you've described, you'll likely need to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led).

1) How soon would you be ready to begin?
2) How many hours do you think that you can put towards your GMAT studies in a typical week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich


Rich, I would be ready to begin a week from today. I believe I can put 20-25 hours a week into studying for the GMAT. I do have a Magoosh subscription for both math and verbal. Is applying by the general admissions deadline pushing it? If I plan to apply by then, I think I have a solid 3 months I can put into this and take the exam by the beginning of April. The general admission deadline is April 15th, but I am not sure about how it works and if spots will fill up by then already.
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Re: The GMAT is holding me back... (in urgent need of advice) [#permalink] New post   03 Jan 2016, 23:17
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Hi viiam,

You should be able to learn everything that you need to know about the Program's admissions from the School's Official website (and you should contact the Admissions Office with any questions that you are unclear about).

Since many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) on their studies before they hit their 'peak' scores, if you could schedule out 3 months of consistent study, then that would greatly improve your chances at raising your GMAT score and achieving your goals. With a bit of work, you should be able to determine whether your current resources are helping you to improve or not.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Re: The GMAT is holding me back... (in urgent need of advice) [#permalink]
03 Jan 2016, 23:17

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