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A low GMAT score does not automatically end your MBA admission chances. Every year, top business schools admit candidates whose GMAT scores fall below the class average — not because the score doesn’t matter, but because the rest of the application....
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ChiTexan2015
29 Aug 2019, 08:48
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Hi
Would you please review my profile? I am going to apply in about 3 months by the end of the year.
BACKGROUND
-Male, 31 YO, CPA, born in Bangladesh, lived in the U.S. for 17 years, U.S. Citizen
-Bachelor's and Master's in Accounting both with 3.5-3.6 GPA all while working 30+ hours a week. Not a big school but good enough for PwC to recruit on campus
-1 Year at PwC as a auditor
-1 Year at a Fortune 1000 company as an auditor
-4 Years at a Fortune 50 company, promoted twice, Analyst to Senior Accountant to Associate Manager (as fast as possible)
-2 Years of tutoring accounting at a local community college after work
GMAT
-I have been studying for 5 months but don't seem to get past the 650 point. I want to get to a 700 and think that's doable between now and December
MY POST-MBA GOALS
-Consulting at a top firm or Strategy at a fortune 500 company
TARGET SCHOOLS
Wharton (1st choice) - FT
Harvard - FT
Booth - PT
Kellogg - PT
McCombs - PT
I would apply to the top 2 schools for FT but the other 3 PT. I would appreciate your input on what you think are my chances at those school. Below are some specific questions I have:
1. I was born in Bangladesh but I am probably more American than anything. I cannot determine if my situation is going to help me or the other way around. I think I might be put in the Indian bucket but I cannot be sure. I think if anything my Bangladeshi origin might help as I am guess there is not as many candidates with my profile from Bangladesh. How do you think this is going to work for or against me?
2. How big a deal is my age for the FT programs?
3. I presume I need a higher GMAT score for Wharton or Harvard but am I almost wasting my time with any GMAT score less than 700 at those schools?
4. What about Booth and Kellogg? I think with even a 670-680, I have a good chance at these schools but I could be wrong. I am going to continue scoring and get well past 700 but want to know what might be the absolute minimum score I need.
5. I think McComb is where I will go if none of the other options work out but I know even McComb is a great school. Am I being overconfident in not considering some lower ranked schools?
Would you please review my profile? I am going to apply in about 3 months by the end of the year.
BACKGROUND
-Male, 31 YO, CPA, born in Bangladesh, lived in the U.S. for 17 years, U.S. Citizen
-Bachelor's and Master's in Accounting both with 3.5-3.6 GPA all while working 30+ hours a week. Not a big school but good enough for PwC to recruit on campus
-1 Year at PwC as a auditor
-1 Year at a Fortune 1000 company as an auditor
-4 Years at a Fortune 50 company, promoted twice, Analyst to Senior Accountant to Associate Manager (as fast as possible)
-2 Years of tutoring accounting at a local community college after work
GMAT
-I have been studying for 5 months but don't seem to get past the 650 point. I want to get to a 700 and think that's doable between now and December
MY POST-MBA GOALS
-Consulting at a top firm or Strategy at a fortune 500 company
TARGET SCHOOLS
Wharton (1st choice) - FT
Harvard - FT
Booth - PT
Kellogg - PT
McCombs - PT
I would apply to the top 2 schools for FT but the other 3 PT. I would appreciate your input on what you think are my chances at those school. Below are some specific questions I have:
1. I was born in Bangladesh but I am probably more American than anything. I cannot determine if my situation is going to help me or the other way around. I think I might be put in the Indian bucket but I cannot be sure. I think if anything my Bangladeshi origin might help as I am guess there is not as many candidates with my profile from Bangladesh. How do you think this is going to work for or against me?
2. How big a deal is my age for the FT programs?
3. I presume I need a higher GMAT score for Wharton or Harvard but am I almost wasting my time with any GMAT score less than 700 at those schools?
4. What about Booth and Kellogg? I think with even a 670-680, I have a good chance at these schools but I could be wrong. I am going to continue scoring and get well past 700 but want to know what might be the absolute minimum score I need.
5. I think McComb is where I will go if none of the other options work out but I know even McComb is a great school. Am I being overconfident in not considering some lower ranked schools?
29 Aug 2019, 10:12
Kudos
Bookmarks
We can only evaluate your profile based on a official GMAT Score
The chances definitely go up if you got a 700 or above
The chances definitely go up if you got a 700 or above
29 Aug 2019, 11:40
Kudos
Bookmarks
I would aim lower in general when it comes to schools & I'd focus primarily on part-time programs given your age & years of experience, which are both quite a bit above the average for full time programs. Full time programs generally want applicants with 3-5 years of experience upon matriculation & when you have more than that it generally weakens your candidacy. You are right in the sweet spot for part time programs though, and they are easier to get into than their full time counterparts.
A 700 is not a strong GMAT for a top 10 school (the average for top 10 is typically 720+), especially since you don't come from a prestigious undergrad & since, due to the nature of the job, it's tough to show business impact or leadership when you're an auditor. I'm not sure to what extent you've been able to demonstrate leadership in your current role or drive tangible impact (i.e., impact that affects the bottom line). Your extracurriculars are also a bit weak - tutoring is better than nothing but ideally they want to see extracurriculars where you've driven quantifiable impact on an organization & demonstrated leadership experience.
It will also be critical to refine your post-MBA goals. Consulting is an extremely common post-MBA goal, so that's not a differentiator. It means you'll be lumped in & compared against all the other candidates who have that as their goal as well. Strategy in a fortune 500 company could work but you'll need to be MUCH more specific. The adcom will want to know what your 2-3 target companies are & why, what big trends you think will impact those companies in the next 10-12 years & what that will translate to in terms of problems & opportunities, what your unique vision is for tackling those problems and opportunities, and WHY this is your passion. Post-MBA goals are not only a chance to differentiate yourself but are also the basis for your why MBA/why our school argument & you need to show a clear, concise vision.
Given all of that, I think you'd need a 740 to really have any shot at HBS & Wharton -- and even if you do land a 740 you'll still need some really strong essays & will need to convey a unique value prop. Part time programs are easier to get into, so if you can nail a 700 I think you have a shot at the part-time programs at Booth & Kellogg although they will still be a bit of a reach (and our of reach with a 650). I'd consider including the PT program at Haas, UCLA & Columbia to your list as well.
You do have a shot at McCombs, but again only if you can at least hit 700. The average GMAT there is 700. I'd broaden your list to include schools like Tepper, UNC & Emory & I'd stick to schools in the 11-20 range (for full time that is) even with a 700. If your score is below 700 I'd aim lower & target schools where 650 (or wherever you ultimately land) is the average.
If you need any help thinking through your strategy & your story definitely reach out to us. If you email Claudia at [email protected] she can set you up with a free consultation with one of our MBA consultants who can take a look at your resume & give you some more detailed thoughts!
A 700 is not a strong GMAT for a top 10 school (the average for top 10 is typically 720+), especially since you don't come from a prestigious undergrad & since, due to the nature of the job, it's tough to show business impact or leadership when you're an auditor. I'm not sure to what extent you've been able to demonstrate leadership in your current role or drive tangible impact (i.e., impact that affects the bottom line). Your extracurriculars are also a bit weak - tutoring is better than nothing but ideally they want to see extracurriculars where you've driven quantifiable impact on an organization & demonstrated leadership experience.
It will also be critical to refine your post-MBA goals. Consulting is an extremely common post-MBA goal, so that's not a differentiator. It means you'll be lumped in & compared against all the other candidates who have that as their goal as well. Strategy in a fortune 500 company could work but you'll need to be MUCH more specific. The adcom will want to know what your 2-3 target companies are & why, what big trends you think will impact those companies in the next 10-12 years & what that will translate to in terms of problems & opportunities, what your unique vision is for tackling those problems and opportunities, and WHY this is your passion. Post-MBA goals are not only a chance to differentiate yourself but are also the basis for your why MBA/why our school argument & you need to show a clear, concise vision.
Given all of that, I think you'd need a 740 to really have any shot at HBS & Wharton -- and even if you do land a 740 you'll still need some really strong essays & will need to convey a unique value prop. Part time programs are easier to get into, so if you can nail a 700 I think you have a shot at the part-time programs at Booth & Kellogg although they will still be a bit of a reach (and our of reach with a 650). I'd consider including the PT program at Haas, UCLA & Columbia to your list as well.
You do have a shot at McCombs, but again only if you can at least hit 700. The average GMAT there is 700. I'd broaden your list to include schools like Tepper, UNC & Emory & I'd stick to schools in the 11-20 range (for full time that is) even with a 700. If your score is below 700 I'd aim lower & target schools where 650 (or wherever you ultimately land) is the average.
If you need any help thinking through your strategy & your story definitely reach out to us. If you email Claudia at [email protected] she can set you up with a free consultation with one of our MBA consultants who can take a look at your resume & give you some more detailed thoughts!
