What GMAT Score Do I need? Any other advice?

Question

I am taking the exam on December 22nd and I am wondering what score range I would need? Also, any other advice given my profile would be fantastic!

Here is my current profile:

Gender: Male

Age: 25 (27 at matriculation)

Nationality: US

Education: 
- Undergrad: Rhodes College - BA in Business Administration (Cumulative GPA: 2.97/Major GPA: 3.13) and a Minor in Spanish. Participated in two study abroad programs: a summer immersion program studying in Spain and a summer program studying at University of Oxford.
- Graduate: University of Texas at Dallas - MS in Accounting and Information Management (GPA: 4.0). Graduated with concentration in Internal Auditing. The program for Internal Auditing at UTD is one of two programs in the US and six programs worldwide that have the Internal Auditing Education Partnership center for excellence distinction.

Work Experience: Will have around 45 months when I apply and around 50 to 55 months when I matriculate.
- Internal Audit Internship - Southwest Airlines - 6 months (Completed full-time internship while working on MS degree) - Performed work on audit engagement teams with various different departments of the company including IT, revenue planning, marketing, payroll, and financial accounting. 
- Staff Accountant - Small Public Accounting and Advisory Firm - - 11 months - Worked on business development, various audits for non-profit, hospitality and government clients, and a large long-term nine month consulting engagement with the US Coast Guard - 11 months
- Management Consultant - IBM Global Business Services - 15 months - Working on business transformation process consulting engagements Federal clients including major DoD agencies.

Post MBA Goals: Continue management consulting work, but with heavy focus on overall corporate strategy and exposure to international business.

Extra-Curriculars/Affiliations: - Moderate involvement

Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Society - UTD chapter, Hands on Greater DC Cares Community member - participate in various organized community service projects in the D.C. area with this network, IBM On-Demand service community - worked on various community service projects with my employer, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity - Philanthropy Co-Chairman in college - Organized monthly service projects for organization members.

I am trying to figure out where I need to fall in the GMAT range to be a candidate for top ten programs. My personal top choice is Kellogg for its team-work focus and its program's strength in general management. My undergrad grades were far from impressive, but I believe my profile shows that I have overcome that shortcoming and am capable. I am just wondering if a GMAT score around my target schools' averages will suffice or if I still need something above the average to compensate for my undergrad GPA. Also any other advice would be very helpful!

If you have any questions re: my profile, please let me know

Thanks for reviewing!

GMATLA · Answer

This question has no definite answer. People with 800s get rejected from top schools, and people with 600s get in. GMAT is just a part of the application, and without the other pieces it doesn't matter what you get. But to get an idea of what you need, you should look at the "80% range" which all schools advertise on their admission websites. Look up the school of your choice on google, and check out their latest class intake and 80% range. This will tell you what 80% of the incoming students got. They will also tell you the average and median scores so you can get an idea of what you might need to be considered. For most top 10 schools the average is approx 710-730 with 80% range between 50 points above and below. Just remember 700+ is a dime a dozen at top schools, you have to bring a well rounded package, not just a top score.

Also, don't forget that the Quant score is a very important part of the score. If you were to get a very low quant but super high verbal, you could still theoretically get a 730+ but adcoms might not be happy with your quant score. So shoot high on quant (80% +), and your verbal will help drive your score. Best of luck!

Kellogg GMAT 2011 incoming class:
Average: 714
80% range: 660-760

Also, don't forget that the Quant score is a very important part of the score. If you were to get a very low quant but super high verbal, you could still theoretically get a 730+ but adcoms might not be happy with your quant score. So shoot high on quant (80% +), and your verbal will help drive your score. Best of luck!

Kellogg GMAT 2011 incoming class:
Average: 714
80% range: 660-760

hookemhorns612 · Answer

Thx for the reply. I am quite familiar with the ranges at the top schools and specifically, Kellogg, but was wondering based on my profile, what I would need to get to be considered. I was unsure if given, my undergrad GPA, if I would have to score well above the schools' averages. Or if my graduate GPA would compensate for my undergrad GPA and that I would still be a candidate with a 700 to 720 on the exam.

Obviously, I'm shooting for the best I can possibly get, but I'm just trying to gauge where I stand pre-gmat score to know what puts me in contention if that makes sense.

Thanks again for the reply.

Obviously, I'm shooting for the best I can possibly get, but I'm just trying to gauge where I stand pre-gmat score to know what puts me in contention if that makes sense.

Thanks again for the reply.

GMATLA · Answer

I believe that they will consider your undergrad GPA, but you do have an excellent Grad GPA and some good work experience (Along with CPA). I think you could potentially have a shot with any score within the 80% range, but getting a 700+ would definitely show your capabilities academically. The GMAT has been directly correlated to first year MBA success, and a 700 would prove to them that you have what it takes. You've got some really strong pieces, so I would work very hard on your GMAT because it could really help round out your application and help get adcoms to look past you low GPA. It is definitely not the best GPA, but there are many stories of successful applications with even lower GPAs (check out low GPA threads on GMATclub). Recently had a friend get into Kellogg with a 3.1 undergrad, and 690 GMAT, top consulting firm experience. It earned him an interview, and he said he knocked it out of the park (ended up turning down and taking a job in PE instead). He had slighly higher GPA, but no masters, no CPA, maybe slightly better work expereience... anddd... you still have the GMAT in your hands. Good luck

Good luck with the GMAT, and keep studying hard!

Good luck with the GMAT, and keep studying hard!

AlexMBAApply · Answer

Those with decent GPAs would need around 700 (high 600s at a bare, bare minimum) for top 8 schools like Kellogg. 
In your case since you didn't have a good GPA (low GPAs are more forgivable for those who were in engineering, since engineering schools tend to grade on a much harsher curve), you will realistically need a 700 at a bare minimum, and ideally 720+ to at least give the adcom some comfort that you are academically on par with the kinds of students who get into the top 8 schools. Other than that, you have a solid profile that would put you in range for top 16 schools (top 8 schools like Kellogg, Tuck, etc are stretches but not long shots; schools like Duke, Ross, Darden, UCLA, etc are sweet spots).

Good luck on the GMAT!!!

What GMAT Score Do I need? Any other advice?

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