jjaacc wrote:
Hi guys,
I would appreciate some advice on whether I should:
1) retake my gmat
2) take toefl instead (because my verbal score is low)
3) use this time to work on other parts of my application
based on the schools I'd interested in.
Thanks!
My profile:
I took my Gmat yesterday. Score was 710 (94%) - with breakdown Q49 (90%) V36 (81%). Verbal was a huge shock to me as I'd been scoring 41-44 on the Gmatprep and ETS software.
The schools I'm applying to are Harvard, Stanford, Chicago GSB, Columbia, Duke - Fuqua & Tuck. The two that I really really want based on my school visits are Stanford GSB and Chicago GSB.
I know schools don't look solely at gmat scores, but I was aiming for a competitive score and right now, I just don't know if its good enough.
Some background history:
Work - 1 year Goldman S&T; 2 years Deloitte Consulting (strategy, financial services industry, promoted after a year in consulting)
School - in Singapore, GPA 3.4, 2nd Upper Honours in Economics.
Demographic: Singaporean Chinese Female
Post-MBA plans: strategy consulting in US.
Activities: Ultimate frisbee - both playing and organising tournaments. Some counselling work with the anti-narcortics association here. (I think I'm a little weak in the volunteerism bit)
Thank you!
jjaacc,
I don't think you need to retake the GMAT, and don't bother taking the TOEFL. You are above the 80th percentile in both verbal and quantitative, so you are fine. If you *do* think you could raise the score by more than 20 points without spending a lot of time preparing then it might be worth a shot (especially if you're scoring higher in practice tests), but your higher priority should be strengthening your leadership profile at work (if you can) and in the community. For example, can you get a role leading people for the anti-narcotics association over the next few months? That would be helpful.
The fact that you are from Singapore and are female helps you, and your GMAT and work experience are hardly negatives. So I wouldn't tell you to drop any of the schools you mentioned from your list.
Good luck!