Advice and evaluation please.

Question

Hi,

I'm a 27 year old female with an average GMAT score. Standardized tests has rarely been my strong suit. I've taken the GMATs three times now and would prefer not to take the GMATs again. The first two times were w/o any prep course.

GMAT: 660 (third time) - 47 (M) and 35 (V); AWA 5.5

Work experience:
1 1/2 years in benefits consulting 3
3 1/2 in corporate deferred compensation (HR) at a financial services company

Undergrad:
Graduated in 3 1/2 years with double major in Economics and Mathematics/Statistics
3.35 GPA at state school

Extracurriculars include:
Directing an ESL program that I hope to establish as a nonprofit
Served as a volunteer leader for a non-profit youth organization for 2 years

Want to get an MBA for career change into working with non-profit organizations (consulting non-profits)

Schools that I'm considering:
USC
UC Berkeley
NYU
Columbia
Duke
Kellogg

How are my chances at the schools I've listed? Will my chances be better if I apply in Round 1? Or do you recommend other schools that would be a good fit for nonprofit concentration and consulting nonprofits?
Thanks!

Accepted.com · Answer

I think you are aiming a little too high, basically all the programs you list are stretch programs for you, with USC being the most likely admit. i would choose at most two from this list and then apply to 3-4 other programs where you are more competitive. Consider  Notre Dame ,  Georgetown ,  UNC , Babson, and UT.

Best,
Linda

jh2010 · Answer

Thanks...I figured my gmat score would bring me down. Is it bad to take the gmats more than 3 times though?

Is it true that if you're applying to go into a nontraditional concentration, like nonprofit management, the chances are slightly better because there are fewer students applying for such majors and the schools like to have diversity in the class?

Accepted.com · Answer

Look, a 660 is not a terrible  GMAT score. A 3.35 GPA from a state school is not a terrible GPA. However, both are slightly below average for the schools you are targeting. However, the combination of the two is making your acceptance at these top programs less likely.

Taking the GMAT more than 3 times is an exercise in frustration unless something changes that makes you believe you can do much better because of the change. You could consider the GRE, if the  schools you are applying to accept it  and you believe you would do better on it. But if you have taken the GMAT 3 times and have prepared each time, why do you think a 4th attempt would yield a significant improvement?

It is true that schools like diversity in the class and they want some people in NFP management, but I am not sure that is a major advantage because they usually have as many as they want. I also think you should apply to some stretch programs, just not ALL stretch programs.

Best,
Linda

jh2010 · Answer

Thanks for the advice! I will look into other schools as well.

Advice and evaluation please.

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