Hi Akanksha,
Thanks for reaching out. Those are impressive improvements you already made on your GMAT! Given that you have already taken it three times, and likely had to put significant effort to reach 720, my guess is that it's going to be quite difficult to raise your score to the 740 level. Especially if it's been more than 6 months since you last took the exam. But if not, and if you were practicing over 720 at any point, then it's probably worth one more shot. Otherwise, I would focus on your applications. HBX is considered beneficial -- especially for applicants who need to boost their academic profile and/or have not taken much prior business coursework. Right now, I think you have a shot at some top schools (though Harvard will always be a super reach), but I'd feel better about you having 1 or 2 safer schools on your list too. You raise a good point about timing -- do you only have 2 years post college work experience? If so, then I lean towards waiting another year to build up work experience, do the HBX coursework, possibly retake GMAT.
Hope this helps!
Kate
akanksha26 wrote:
Akanksha Sharma, Indian, Female, 28
Hello,
I have taken the GMAT three times (640, 660: Q49 V32, final: 720) with a Q47 V41 finally. I did my undergrad from Purdue University in computer engineering and graduated with a 3.2 GPA. During university I did a 4 term coop (3 summers 1 semester) as a software developer at the vfx company Technicolor. I graduated from Purdue in Dec 2015 and worked at the Georgia Department of Revenue (Atlanta) as a consultant for 2 years. Now, I am considering applying to B-schools for Fall 2019, and I see the top 10 B schools in USA have a GMAT average of 720+
My question is:
1) Should I retake the GMAT and try to get a 740+ or begin my applications for Round 2 to the B schools. Consequently, based on your experience and expertise with student profiles, does my profile have the potential for a top 10 school in the USA of which some of my dream schools are Wharton, Harvard, Colombia, Yale, Booth and Berkeley?
2) Is the Harvard HBX core program beneficial to significantly strengthen MBA application acceptance at the top 10?
Will be greatful if I could get some insight from you to decide how to proceed: retake GMAT and apply; apply to B-schools after a few more years if my aim is the top 10; and hence get more work experience;
Thank you,
Akanksha Sharma
_________________
Kate Richardson
mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant
Chicago Booth Alum, over 80 5-star reviews on GMAT Club
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