Forum Home > GMAT > Quantitative > Problem Solving (PS)
Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Dec 1208:00 PM PST
-09:00 PM PST
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
Dec 1308:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Dec 1207:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Join the conversation to learn more about INSEAD vs LBS
Dec 1210:00 AM EST
-10:30 AM EST
Did you know you can lock in a spot at an elite MBA program years in advance of attending? Learn everything about Deferred MBA programs and why they’re becoming a game-changer for students and professionals.- Dec 14
08:00 AM PST
-11:30 AM PST
Join us for an exclusive Admit Weekend designed to help you navigate the exciting yet challenging process of choosing between multiple MBA offers and provide valuable guidance on financial aid, scholarship negotiation, visa processes, and more. 
Dec 1511:00 AM EST
-11:30 AM EST
Meet Tuck at an informal student or staff-hosted coffee chat in a city near you!- Dec 16
08:00 AM PST
-11:59 PM PST
GMAT Club 12 Days of Christmas is a 4th Annual GMAT Club Winter Competition based on solving questions. This is the Winter GMAT competition on GMAT Club with an amazing opportunity to win over $40,000 worth of prizes! - Dec 18
10:00 AM PST
-11:00 AM PST
Here is the essential guide to securing scholarships as an MBA student! In this video, we explore the various types of scholarships available, including need-based and merit-based options. 
Dec 2109:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Dreaming of a successful post-MBA career? Explore the 2026 career pathways in consulting, tech, finance, and dive into the exciting opportunities and the potential ROI these industries offer, helping you make informed decisions and more.
31 Dec 2019, 04:26
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello all,
First, a quick view on my profile:
Work experience
- 25 Italian. 2 years in top consulting firm (MBB), sponsored for MBA because of extraordinary performance (ranked top of my class). Additional 1 year work experience (internships) in different sectors (top legal firm, fortune 500 abroad, public sector..)
Education
- 2 Bacherlor's completed simultaneously (law & economics) in top school of the country. Avg GPA ~top 20% (but you must consider I studied twice than the average). Several leadership roles taken during college (first time winner of my university of big international consulting competition - team captain-), dorm council leader
- GMAT 680 (Q44,V38) - here is the big issue -
TOEFL: 113
Extracurricular
- Active member of LGTB comunity (active volunteer in NGO specialized in LGTB issues)
- Also work with children at risk of social exclusion
- 4 proficient languages
Others
Had to part-time work to fund studies. First in my family graduating from college
Went to music school for 7 years
Schools of preference for Full time MBA
Columbia J-Term
Booth
MIT
Stern
Kellogg
UCLA
Second, let me then present my dilemma:
First, I took the GMAT for the 3rd time 2 weeks ago and ended up cancelling the score as I had not improved the previous one. I have a very demanding job and cannot dedicate much time to studying, although I am 95% SURE I can do better than 680 (got quite higher grades in the mocks , but I get kinda blocked during the exam)
Second, I have more or less my applications ready for R2 for Stern/Kellogg/Booth, but would have time to prepare one or two more this week (deadlines are most of them in the second week of Jan). My recommendation letters are going to be I expect quite strong (partners in the Firm).
Now, the problem is...
I was thinking about taking a shot at R2 Stern(R3 for tihs one)/Kellogg/Booth and see what happens. If I get dinged I'd try to retake the exam for Columbia J-Term (although I heard 680 is not that bad for the J-Term). The issue is that if I reinstate the score and get dinged in these 3, I assume that score will stay in my report forever (even if I try to improve it for future applications such as J-Term for CBS or others in R1 next year, which I am afraid could harm my odds)
Honestly, as I am being sponsored and plan to return to my current Firm, I see the MBA as a chance to stop for 2 years, learn new stuff, meet amazing people and perhaps discover what I like, so I do not have a super strong preference for any program (ofc I'd love to go to HBS or Stanford, but see it quite difficult with those stats).
So.. what would you guys do? As you can imagine, I have to make a decision today/tomorrow.. and honestly I am quite unsure about everything.
Thank you so much for your help!!
First, a quick view on my profile:
Work experience
- 25 Italian. 2 years in top consulting firm (MBB), sponsored for MBA because of extraordinary performance (ranked top of my class). Additional 1 year work experience (internships) in different sectors (top legal firm, fortune 500 abroad, public sector..)
Education
- 2 Bacherlor's completed simultaneously (law & economics) in top school of the country. Avg GPA ~top 20% (but you must consider I studied twice than the average). Several leadership roles taken during college (first time winner of my university of big international consulting competition - team captain-), dorm council leader
- GMAT 680 (Q44,V38) - here is the big issue -
TOEFL: 113
Extracurricular
- Active member of LGTB comunity (active volunteer in NGO specialized in LGTB issues)
- Also work with children at risk of social exclusion
- 4 proficient languages
Others
Had to part-time work to fund studies. First in my family graduating from college
Went to music school for 7 years
Schools of preference for Full time MBA
Columbia J-Term
Booth
MIT
Stern
Kellogg
UCLA
Second, let me then present my dilemma:
First, I took the GMAT for the 3rd time 2 weeks ago and ended up cancelling the score as I had not improved the previous one. I have a very demanding job and cannot dedicate much time to studying, although I am 95% SURE I can do better than 680 (got quite higher grades in the mocks , but I get kinda blocked during the exam)
Second, I have more or less my applications ready for R2 for Stern/Kellogg/Booth, but would have time to prepare one or two more this week (deadlines are most of them in the second week of Jan). My recommendation letters are going to be I expect quite strong (partners in the Firm).
Now, the problem is...
I was thinking about taking a shot at R2 Stern(R3 for tihs one)/Kellogg/Booth and see what happens. If I get dinged I'd try to retake the exam for Columbia J-Term (although I heard 680 is not that bad for the J-Term). The issue is that if I reinstate the score and get dinged in these 3, I assume that score will stay in my report forever (even if I try to improve it for future applications such as J-Term for CBS or others in R1 next year, which I am afraid could harm my odds)
Honestly, as I am being sponsored and plan to return to my current Firm, I see the MBA as a chance to stop for 2 years, learn new stuff, meet amazing people and perhaps discover what I like, so I do not have a super strong preference for any program (ofc I'd love to go to HBS or Stanford, but see it quite difficult with those stats).
So.. what would you guys do? As you can imagine, I have to make a decision today/tomorrow.. and honestly I am quite unsure about everything.
Thank you so much for your help!!
31 Dec 2019, 13:50
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi, and thanks for writing! I know how stressful this process can be 
Here's the thing: MBA programs will take the highest GMAT score without judgement (even though they'll see all of your scores on your report) so don't worry at all about them seeing the 680 if you retake and get a higher score. I recommend applying to Kellogg and Booth (assuming you are very close to being finished with the applications) in R2 and seeing what happens - if it doesn't work out, you can always reapply in R1 in several months. There is no penalty for reapplying - you'll just need to show how you grew since your last application, and you're early in your career so hopefully aside from the higher GMAT you'll have even more projects to talk about.
CBS J-Term generally fills up quite early, so that one I'd wait until next year to apply, and at that point apply as early as possible. Stern could be tough timing-wise as well since two application rounds have passed already, but if you are nearly finished with your application and can submit it comfortably before the deadline, you certainly can give it a shot. The other programs, I'd wait until next year since there's only so many you can complete with high quality in such a short amount of time and your chances will improve with R1 and with a higher GMAT score given the heavy representation of consultants in the applicant pool.
Hope that helps - best of luck and Happy New Year!
Here's the thing: MBA programs will take the highest GMAT score without judgement (even though they'll see all of your scores on your report) so don't worry at all about them seeing the 680 if you retake and get a higher score. I recommend applying to Kellogg and Booth (assuming you are very close to being finished with the applications) in R2 and seeing what happens - if it doesn't work out, you can always reapply in R1 in several months. There is no penalty for reapplying - you'll just need to show how you grew since your last application, and you're early in your career so hopefully aside from the higher GMAT you'll have even more projects to talk about.
CBS J-Term generally fills up quite early, so that one I'd wait until next year to apply, and at that point apply as early as possible. Stern could be tough timing-wise as well since two application rounds have passed already, but if you are nearly finished with your application and can submit it comfortably before the deadline, you certainly can give it a shot. The other programs, I'd wait until next year since there's only so many you can complete with high quality in such a short amount of time and your chances will improve with R1 and with a higher GMAT score given the heavy representation of consultants in the applicant pool.
Hope that helps - best of luck and Happy New Year!
70871553
Hello all,
First, a quick view on my profile:
Work experience
- 25 Italian. 2 years in top consulting firm (MBB), sponsored for MBA because of extraordinary performance (ranked top of my class). Additional 1 year work experience (internships) in different sectors (top legal firm, fortune 500 abroad, public sector..)
Education
- 2 Bacherlor's completed simultaneously (law & economics) in top school of the country. Avg GPA ~top 20% (but you must consider I studied twice than the average). Several leadership roles taken during college (first time winner of my university of big international consulting competition - team captain-), dorm council leader
- GMAT 680 (Q44,V38) - here is the big issue -
TOEFL: 113
Extracurricular
- Active member of LGTB comunity (active volunteer in NGO specialized in LGTB issues)
- Also work with children at risk of social exclusion
- 4 proficient languages
Others
Had to part-time work to fund studies. First in my family graduating from college
Went to music school for 7 years
Schools of preference for Full time MBA
Columbia J-Term
Booth
MIT
Stern
Kellogg
UCLA
Second, let me then present my dilemma:
First, I took the GMAT for the 3rd time 2 weeks ago and ended up cancelling the score as I had not improved the previous one. I have a very demanding job and cannot dedicate much time to studying, although I am 95% SURE I can do better than 680 (got quite higher grades in the mocks , but I get kinda blocked during the exam)
Second, I have more or less my applications ready for R2 for Stern/Kellogg/Booth, but would have time to prepare one or two more this week (deadlines are most of them in the second week of Jan). My recommendation letters are going to be I expect quite strong (partners in the Firm).
Now, the problem is...
I was thinking about taking a shot at R2 Stern(R3 for tihs one)/Kellogg/Booth and see what happens. If I get dinged I'd try to retake the exam for Columbia J-Term (although I heard 680 is not that bad for the J-Term). The issue is that if I reinstate the score and get dinged in these 3, I assume that score will stay in my report forever (even if I try to improve it for future applications such as J-Term for CBS or others in R1 next year, which I am afraid could harm my odds)
Honestly, as I am being sponsored and plan to return to my current Firm, I see the MBA as a chance to stop for 2 years, learn new stuff, meet amazing people and perhaps discover what I like, so I do not have a super strong preference for any program (ofc I'd love to go to HBS or Stanford, but see it quite difficult with those stats).
So.. what would you guys do? As you can imagine, I have to make a decision today/tomorrow.. and honestly I am quite unsure about everything.
Thank you so much for your help!!
First, a quick view on my profile:
Work experience
- 25 Italian. 2 years in top consulting firm (MBB), sponsored for MBA because of extraordinary performance (ranked top of my class). Additional 1 year work experience (internships) in different sectors (top legal firm, fortune 500 abroad, public sector..)
Education
- 2 Bacherlor's completed simultaneously (law & economics) in top school of the country. Avg GPA ~top 20% (but you must consider I studied twice than the average). Several leadership roles taken during college (first time winner of my university of big international consulting competition - team captain-), dorm council leader
- GMAT 680 (Q44,V38) - here is the big issue -
TOEFL: 113
Extracurricular
- Active member of LGTB comunity (active volunteer in NGO specialized in LGTB issues)
- Also work with children at risk of social exclusion
- 4 proficient languages
Others
Had to part-time work to fund studies. First in my family graduating from college
Went to music school for 7 years
Schools of preference for Full time MBA
Columbia J-Term
Booth
MIT
Stern
Kellogg
UCLA
Second, let me then present my dilemma:
First, I took the GMAT for the 3rd time 2 weeks ago and ended up cancelling the score as I had not improved the previous one. I have a very demanding job and cannot dedicate much time to studying, although I am 95% SURE I can do better than 680 (got quite higher grades in the mocks , but I get kinda blocked during the exam)
Second, I have more or less my applications ready for R2 for Stern/Kellogg/Booth, but would have time to prepare one or two more this week (deadlines are most of them in the second week of Jan). My recommendation letters are going to be I expect quite strong (partners in the Firm).
Now, the problem is...
I was thinking about taking a shot at R2 Stern(R3 for tihs one)/Kellogg/Booth and see what happens. If I get dinged I'd try to retake the exam for Columbia J-Term (although I heard 680 is not that bad for the J-Term). The issue is that if I reinstate the score and get dinged in these 3, I assume that score will stay in my report forever (even if I try to improve it for future applications such as J-Term for CBS or others in R1 next year, which I am afraid could harm my odds)
Honestly, as I am being sponsored and plan to return to my current Firm, I see the MBA as a chance to stop for 2 years, learn new stuff, meet amazing people and perhaps discover what I like, so I do not have a super strong preference for any program (ofc I'd love to go to HBS or Stanford, but see it quite difficult with those stats).
So.. what would you guys do? As you can imagine, I have to make a decision today/tomorrow.. and honestly I am quite unsure about everything.
Thank you so much for your help!!
Moderator:
