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stuffgod
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HELP! 730 GMAT but low 3.5 AWA and 5.0 IR! 26 Oct 2015, 11:23
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I took the GMAT for the first time this month and did not spend enough time preparing AWA and IR. I am normally a good writer, but unfortunately the combination of nerves and lack of preparation got the better of me in the first two sections.

I would very much appreciate your advice on whether I should retake the GMAT.

I have also appended below my stats and target schools in hopes of getting your overall assessment on my odds.

GMAT: 41V 49Q 3.5AWA 5.0IR
GPA (undergrad): 3.8 from top Canadian b-school
Work experience: 4.5 yrs in-house M&A for a $500M software company (well known in Canada). Promoted to Director.
Extracurriculars: Started a real estate company - own 3 residential properties (JV on 2 of them). Actively invest in stock market - absolute value focus. In a soccer league.

Target schools:
1) Stanford
2) Harvard
3) Columbia
4) Wharton
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HELP! 730 GMAT but low 3.5 AWA and 5.0 IR! 26 Oct 2015, 11:55
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I don't think this is a big deal these are not major assessment categories when schools are looking at the GMAT. Especially with you living and working in Canada I doubt there will be too much concern here. I would however make sure there are not any glaring issues in your writing when you start pulling together your essays
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HELP! 730 GMAT but low 3.5 AWA and 5.0 IR! 26 Oct 2015, 18:49
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stuffgod
I took the GMAT for the first time this month and did not spend enough time preparing AWA and IR. I am normally a good writer, but unfortunately the combination of nerves and lack of preparation got the better of me in the first two sections.

I would very much appreciate your advice on whether I should retake the GMAT.

I have also appended below my stats and target schools in hopes of getting your overall assessment on my odds.

GMAT: 41V 49Q 3.5AWA 5.0IR
GPA (undergrad): 3.8 from top Canadian b-school
Work experience: 4.5 yrs in-house M&A for a $500M software company (well known in Canada). Promoted to Director.
Extracurriculars: Started a real estate company - own 3 residential properties (JV on 2 of them). Actively invest in stock market - absolute value focus. In a soccer league.

Target schools:
1) Stanford
2) Harvard
3) Columbia
4) Wharton
Show more

In order to evaluate you, I would need some more info.

- Demographics
- Performance at work / promotion / career progression
- Do you do any volunteer / mentoring / leadership outside of work?
- Post-MBA goals

The GMAT is in range but depending on the other info, you would either have a decent chance at these schools or a pretty good chance. That said, you are competing against the 750-760 GMATs so it isn't a sure bet. Your story should be very strong in order to land H/S/W. Columbia shouldn't be a problem for you.

Good luck and reach out if you want help putting your application together. www.personalmbacoach.com
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HELP! 730 GMAT but low 3.5 AWA and 5.0 IR! 27 Oct 2015, 01:37
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stuffgod
I took the GMAT for the first time this month and did not spend enough time preparing AWA and IR. I am normally a good writer, but unfortunately the combination of nerves and lack of preparation got the better of me in the first two sections.

I would very much appreciate your advice on whether I should retake the GMAT.

I have also appended below my stats and target schools in hopes of getting your overall assessment on my odds.

GMAT: 41V 49Q 3.5AWA 5.0IR
GPA (undergrad): 3.8 from top Canadian b-school
Work experience: 4.5 yrs in-house M&A for a $500M software company (well known in Canada). Promoted to Director.
Extracurriculars: Started a real estate company - own 3 residential properties (JV on 2 of them). Actively invest in stock market - absolute value focus. In a soccer league.

Target schools:
1) Stanford
2) Harvard
3) Columbia
4) Wharton
Show more

Dude,
The short it is: Your 730 rocks. Don't sweat the rest.

And don't even THINK about retaking the GMAT...
:)

Best,
JF