art history major, applying to business school

Hi, I've been browsing through the forums, mostly reading about minimum quant scores on the GMAT.

I studied Art History with a minor in Italian at NYU and graduated magna cum laude with a 3.8 GPA. I didn't take a single math course. I also graduated early from NYU. I'm currently 24 years old, but I have 5 years working experience. I'm a director of an art gallery, so I'd say I've had pretty good work experience managing a team and a business, and I've worked my way up. I'm hoping I have an interesting story and background.

I'm on month two of studying for the GMAT, and my anxiety is starting to kick in a bit. From what I've gathered, it's especially important that I show admissions officers that I have the quant skills. On my most recent gmat practice test (one of the ones offered by the GMAT prep software), I scored 640 with 39Q and 40V, only improving by 1 point from my previous 38Q score. I realize I really have to improve my quant score and put more time into this, but it also feels like a miracle if I score something in the mid-40 range...

I really want to apply to schools in October, and I haven't taken an official GMAT yet or started my applications. I am not sure if I should be freaking out yet. I guess what I'm wondering is, if I have a shot at a top 10 or 15 business school if my quant score is on the low side? I am going to try and improve it as much as I can. I'm really hoping to go to NYU, or even Columbia, but I suppose that could be a reach if my GMAT is not strong enough. Just curious to hear some thoughts, especially as I don't know anyone else applying to business school with my background. Thanks!

3 Comments
 

to get T10-15, yes you need to improve quant and get a 700+ and ideally 720+. check out gmatquantum.com, helped me get my quant up to the high 40s range from high 30s pre studying

you also need to craft a good story around your work exp/why MBA. I'd recommend talking to some MBA consultants

 
Best Response

Thanks for the suggestions Frank. I'll keep at it until I have a higher quant score.

So far, I've been using Magoosh and I just enrolled in a Manhattan Prep course. I've already invested a lot of money in my gmat preparation, so I'm hesitant to pay for another service, although I'lll check out gmatquantum if these other resources aren't helpful enough.

Thinking of trying out the trial of Target Test Prep next week. I think I've been focusing a lot on learning the fundamentals/watching videos, and not enough on practicing problems. Hoping to finish my OG quant problems this week and then analyzing my error log. There's a lot of basic foundational things that I'm having trouble recalling, so I am turning my 30 pages of Magoosh video notes into flashcards and re-watching a few videos.

For many of the quant problems I'm getting wrong, I read the answer explanations, and find either : I have made a careless error or thatthe problem is not difficult to solve, but I just didn't see how to solve it in the first place. I'm realizing it is going to take a lot more than just memorizing some math facts to do well on the quant section. I am hoping I can begin thinking more analytically with more practice.

 

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