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tomseaver1
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 17 Feb 2025, 10:02
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For context, I am shooting for a 685 on test day. Let me preface by saying I know all of the schools on my list are very selective / difficult to get into. My goal is just to get a GMAT score good enough that I will:
A) Have a chance to get into 1+ of my reach schools (i.e., ~40%)
B) Have fair likelihood I will get into 1+ of my target schools (i.e., ~70%)
C) Have high likelihood of getting into 1+ of my safety schools (i.e., ~90%)

Profile:
  • Demographics: White male
  • Education: Graduated magna cum laude (3.84 GPA) from a top-30 undergrad business school (top 10 in undergraduate finance) in 2021, majoring in Finance and Business Analytics
  • Work Experience: 3.5 years at boutique consulting firms (promoted early to Senior Consultant); experience spans strategy, growth, and operational efficiency projects across industries; exposure to private equity due diligence and globalization strategy
  • Extracurriculars: Some involvement in mentoring and volunteer work, but nothing standout
Target Schools:
  • Reach: Kellogg, Wharton or HBS, Columbia
  • Target: Darden, Fuqua, Tuck or Yale SOM
  • Safety: Kenan-Flagler, Emory Goizueta
I’m trying to gauge what GMAT Focus score I need to have a solid shot at these schools. Any advice on score targets (or general feedback on my profile) would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 17 Feb 2025, 19:59
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The school list is good avg gmat score you should target is 720+.. a high score doesn't guarantee admit but it would surely assist in better school option to apply... Work on your profile holistically extra co. Etc ...all the best
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 17 Feb 2025, 21:44
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tomseaver1
I’m trying to gauge what GMAT Focus score I need to have a solid shot at these schools. Any advice on score targets (or general feedback on my profile) would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
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Hi tomseaver1,

The higher the better, but yes, a 685 (96%) will put you in a very good position.

All the best.
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 17 Feb 2025, 23:27
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tomseaver1
I’m trying to gauge what GMAT Focus score I need to have a solid shot at these schools. Any advice on score targets (or general feedback on my profile) would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
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Hi there

While 685 is a good score to target, even a 655 should make you pretty competitive, specially in your Target and Safety schools. I've seen applicants with lower scores get interview invites from even some of your Reach schools in R1 (and R2 so far).

As regards your overall profile, I'm guessing your undergrad was at a place like Ross/Stern/Kelley, which are respectable names to have on your resume. Along with your 3.84 GPA and a solid GMAT score (hopefully:)), that should take care of your academic and quantitative rigor.

The early promotion can highlight your capability and professional growth.

Working on "strategy, growth, operational efficiency, and even private equity due diligence" speaks well to your analytical skills and business insight.

Overall, you should be very competitive at your Target and Safety schools.

Your Reach schools, however, will need more. Top programs look for standout leadership initiatives, so consider taking on projects or leadership roles either at work or in extracurriculars that you can highlight with measurable impact. Luckily, you still have about 6-7 months to do so (assuming you will be applying R1 later this year). And, you’ll need a compelling story that ties your professional experiences, leadership potential, and future goals together.

Hope this gives you some clarity.

Good luck!
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 18 Feb 2025, 14:49
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Hi - thank you for your response!
AjiteshArun
tomseaver1
I’m trying to gauge what GMAT Focus score I need to have a solid shot at these schools. Any advice on score targets (or general feedback on my profile) would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Hi tomseaver1,

The higher the better, but yes, a 685 (96%) will put you in a very good position.

All the best.
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 18 Feb 2025, 14:53
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Hi Sarfraz - really appreciate your input on this. My undergrad was at Boston College (Carroll School of Management). I think you make a good point that over the next 6-8 months I should focus on pursuing leadership opportunities at work and/or in extracurriculars. Thanks again!
SarfrazAP
tomseaver1
I’m trying to gauge what GMAT Focus score I need to have a solid shot at these schools. Any advice on score targets (or general feedback on my profile) would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Hi there

While 685 is a good score to target, even a 655 should make you pretty competitive, specially in your Target and Safety schools. I've seen applicants with lower scores get interview invites from even some of your Reach schools in R1 (and R2 so far).

As regards your overall profile, I'm guessing your undergrad was at a place like Ross/Stern/Kelley, which are respectable names to have on your resume. Along with your 3.84 GPA and a solid GMAT score (hopefully:)), that should take care of your academic and quantitative rigor.

The early promotion can highlight your capability and professional growth.

Working on "strategy, growth, operational efficiency, and even private equity due diligence" speaks well to your analytical skills and business insight.

Overall, you should be very competitive at your Target and Safety schools.

Your Reach schools, however, will need more. Top programs look for standout leadership initiatives, so consider taking on projects or leadership roles either at work or in extracurriculars that you can highlight with measurable impact. Luckily, you still have about 6-7 months to do so (assuming you will be applying R1 later this year). And, you’ll need a compelling story that ties your professional experiences, leadership potential, and future goals together.

Hope this gives you some clarity.

Good luck!
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 18 Feb 2025, 14:55
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Thanks for this input!
Archit3110
The school list is good avg gmat score you should target is 720+.. a high score doesn't guarantee admit but it would surely assist in better school option to apply... Work on your profile holistically extra co. Etc ...all the best
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 18 Feb 2025, 16:37
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That seems like a very high score - curious why you have Columbia on reach.. what’s your background? People I speak to keep telling me gmat is just one part of the package
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 18 Feb 2025, 16:52
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Hi. Your chances will depend quite a bit on your profile for M7.

You want your score to be on par with your peer group - the people you will be compared with. This means for someone applying from the US, you need a bad average and someone applying with a more common background such as Southeast Asian developer, they need 695 at least and if you offer a unique background such as a military pilot or pro athletes, you can apply with 605.

It’s all about your peer group and what you contribute to the program...
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 18 Feb 2025, 21:05
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Columbia is still an M7 school, so I see it as a challenge to get into regardless of what score I get on my GMAT. I think I have some strengths in my application (good undergrad business program, good GPA, good experience), but my company is not very well-known / not a name brand and I come from a relatively common demographic (white male, consulting, American).
Cgonz251
That seems like a very high score - curious why you have Columbia on reach.. what’s your background? People I speak to keep telling me gmat is just one part of the package
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 20 Feb 2025, 18:08
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Hi. Your chances will depend quite a bit on your profile for M7.

You want your score to be on par with your peer group - the people you will be compared with. This means for someone applying from the US, you need a bad average and someone applying with a more common background such as Southeast Asian developer, they need 695 at least and if you offer a unique background such as a military pilot or pro athletes, you can apply with 605.

It’s all about your peer group and what you contribute to the program...
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“How are peer groups specifically categorized? Are they divided based on nationality, previous employers, and career goals? Also, do Korean applicants compete with candidates from China and India?”
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What GMAT Focus score do I need for M7 / T15? 20 Feb 2025, 20:51
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“How are peer groups specifically categorized? Are they divided based on nationality, previous employers, and career goals? Also, do Korean applicants compete with candidates from China and India?”
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Hi. I feel India and China are their own distinct groups and do not mix with other nationalities.

Your country matters to an extent but only if you are from a highly competitive background. As a Korean applicant, where there may be only 10 to a particular program and all are quite different, so you may not be evaluated just your countrymen and rather evaluated as an applicant from not well represented Asian country compared with other people from International Asian and other background from Consulting or Finance for example but even that may be too restricted and so the pool of comparison may have to expanded to the point where AdCom is playing 4D Chess and has a huge headache. Other things that come handy is years of experience. They may have seen caliber of folks over the years and can judge based on that your caliber.

the best thing in all demo and all backgrounds is to put out the best application that shows your strengths and helps demonstrate leadership and initiative. The more you undertook the better.
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