710/3.6 for Top 10
Got a 710 which I know isn’t great. Especially because all my practice exams were 48Q/40V and my actual test was 45Q/42V. I’m applying from public sector with experiences in nonprofits and government work. I’m hoping to have a shot at HBS and am also interested in Yale SOM since they seem to like candidates with my background. Plan is to apply broadly across the top 10. Will my profile make up for the lower gmat or should I retake?
good luck. you're asking with the most worthless part of your application
Yale really wants people to have a high GMAT. 10% of their current class had lower than a 690. Yale SOM has been trying to rapidly move up in rankings and your stats won't help them out. What else do you bring to the table?
retake and get a 730+
Yale SOM is the biggest GMAT whore in its segment (10th to 16th). Think it's a terrible choice in terms of a safety.
HBS the least GMAT-whore-ish out of the top-top schools, but you don't seem to have the stardust to attract their attention enough.
I would add other schools to your list. Kellogg, Tuck, Wharton, for example. Maybe Booth too. Your blend of GMAT/GPA puts you closer to their sweet spot.
You don’t think OP can get into SOM but think he can get into Wharton, booth, and kellogg. Ok.
I wrote that SOM is a terrible choice in terms of a safety; it goes without saying HBS is a reach. Terrible portfolio.
Further, MBA admissions is not a linear game. The GMAT is super important, but the better the school, the more the GMAT is a “check the box, necessary but not sufficient” part of the overall profile.
The OP has a decent profile, albeit a slightly below average GMAT, and depending on essay quality, may or may not make a compelling a candidate. A GMAT whore with a small student body like Yale SOM will probably not take the time to read his application closely because of how central the GMAT is to their strategy. They are focused on taking weaker overall candidates with better GMATs.
Better schools like the ones I mentioned have a higher quality candidate pool and are not worried about hitting 720-730 averages for their incoming class, and are a bit more likely to give the OP a shot looking at the comprehensive package (I know this for a fact), and make a better reach case than HBS (the other school OP was looking at). OP should still look at more schools in the 10-16 segment that aren’t as GMAT-whorey as SOM. Makes more sense to have an overall list of, say, Kellogg as the the reach (plus one of Booth or Wharton as a bit of a Hail Mary), and adding Duke, Stern and Darden to Yale SOM.
Capisci?
I strongly urge you to retake. Also, I hope you're not only applying to Yale and HBS.
Best,
Yale SOM wants high GMATs, so I don't think you fit that profile at the moment.
Have fun at Duke.
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