To rewrite or not to rewrite

Question

Hi 

I'm faced with a dilemma right now as the subject header suggests. I wrote the Gmat 3 years ago without having done much prep and scored a disappointing 660. I did the GmatPrep tests this week and scored a 700 and 750. 

I'm currently applying to INSEAD, HBS, Ivey, Oxford and Cambridge. Do you think it would be worthwhile to rewrite the test, or should I just go ahead and send the applications? 

I'm fairly confident with my leadership and international experience and I think I posess a demographical advantage.

Thanks for your help!!

PaulBodine · Answer

Hosam,

You don't need to retake the GMAT for Ivey, Oxford, or Cambridge, but if you want a serious shot at INSEAD and HBS you might want to retake. Unless your demographic advantage places you in the following three categories--Native American, Hispanic American, African American--then your profile may not be enough to compensate for your 660 at HBS and INSEAD, schools where even seemingly "perfect" applicants (with 700+ GMATs) get dinged all the time. 

Good luck,

hosam · Answer

Thanks for the advice Paul. I'll be rewriting this week in that case. I guess being from an Arab demographic doesn't give me as much advantage as I thought it would.

PaulBodine · Answer

Hosam,

Being from an Arab demographic is IMO a positive for you. That is, it does not increase your admissions odds as much as being Native American, African American, or Hispanic American does, but it is more of advantage to you then being from India, for example, or China or the United States. I am talking about adding to the diversity of your class -- because schools receive fewer applicants from Middle Eastern countries than they do from U.S., India, Europe, and China, you are a more valuable "commodity." I also believe that the current geopolitical issues involving the Middle East motivate U.S. schools to demonstrate that they are in fact open to applicants from that part of the world.

Hope this helps,

To rewrite or not to rewrite

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