I am starting to think about who my competition is for the Wharton interviews for round 1. I am reading GMAT club forums and I am seeing a whole lot of 750+ scores while I only have a 720 (median for wharton). My GPA was only a 2.9. I mentioned on other posts my stats, but I am not really asking for the "what are my chances" assessment--I am just curious if adcoms look at a 720 similarly to a 750, or if there is a major difference in perception.
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If a program has a high GPA average and you come in with a lower score they have to admit someone with a higher GMAT to offset your lower score. Intellectually I don't think there is a difference between scores, but if you can score at the program average or higher it will only benefit you.
Difference between 720, 750, and 780 (Originally Posted: 02/01/2010)
Is there that big of a difference between a 720, 750, and 780 on the GMAT? Assuming you have strong work experience, essays, and come from a solid undergrad, will getting a 780 make you a significantly stronger candidate than someone with a 720. Or is there more of a certain threshold, say 700, that you have to meet?
Gecko,
I had a similar situation to yours - crap UG GPA but 760 GMAT. I spoke to a friend of the wife's who went to Columbia B-school and another who used to be on the admissions committee. I do think that all things being equal, a slightly higher GMAT won't get you into a program by itself.
It is however a "mental barrier". Above 750 is that magic sweetspot for some people (mentally), but from what I've been told the difference between 720 and 750 isn't enough to make or break an app. Adcom might look at a 720 and not flinch, but if they see above 750 they might say "hmm...OK" and nothing more. The GMAT will just confirm their assessment of your analytical and intellectual fortitude, but it may not necessary DRIVE their assessment.
Long story short, can't worry about it now - not really enough of an issue to worry about it. Just do your best on the interview and convey passion. I assume you got an invite? I haven't gotten shit in R1...nothing from Columbia, H or S. R2 I'll apply W/K/Chi/MIT? Good luck...
Some schools like Columbia love gmat scores.. they look down on something like 720.. personal experience.
I think you'll be fine. Do realise that a lot of folks in the GMAT forums are Indian IT workers (at least that's the perception I have) and these guys tend to score very very high in the test. The demographics group you're competing with will be closer to the Wharton median, so focus on impressing the interviewer now.
My friend got into CBS early decision round with a 3.0 GPA and 680 GMAT
Roger. Thanks for the comments. Yes I did get an interview. I have never felt such competition in my life.
What does URM mean?
Under represented minority--no. military like me though.
Wouldnt necessarily say that the playing field is even at this point. Most adcomm interviews can only hurt, not help you. At the end of the day, the interview is just another data point to be judged against a more competitive sub-set of the original applicant pool.
Your 720 is solid and should be a check the box. Obviously, your weak GPA is a red flag but without knowing your school, major, ext circumstances its tough to comment further. As long as you can clearly articulate your goals and reasons for wanting to attend Wharton you should be ok. Best of luck to you.
That explains
I got less than a 750 on my GMAT and am interviewing for Wharton too with no plans to re-take GMAT. We can't both be wrong! That would be a complete injustice to WallStreetOasis and everything the WSO community has to stand for (including Aleksey Vayner).
Yeah that does, for the record, I got a 730, and if I do decide to get an MBA, I have every intention of retaking and getting a 760+. It will help for at least scholarship offers.
That's the level of rigour I want to see among MBA students :D.
This statement kind of answers the OP's question. For getting in, there isn't much difference between a 720 and a 780. For getting in with a scholarship, there is likely a significant difference between the two scores.
I got a 740, and I'm thinking about taking a gmat prep class in order to push my score up to the high 700's b/c business school is expensive.
The difference is little to none generally. GMAT is not factored in a bubble, however, and it depends on the rest of your app as well.
And military may as well be URM, it's the same deal, African American or military will get you into Columbia with a Sub 700, sub 3 gpa.
Dude did you just resurrect an 8-year-old thread?
Holy crap I guess I did.
Well as its said, gmat score is only one of the contributing factor of a student's admission. But surely if all else were equal and the only difference is the GMAT score between two possible candidates, its more likely the one with the higher score will get in.
this is funny
know a rich white male with a yr of work experience, 650 GMAT, no great story, accepted into CBS...no joke. Was all networking, "spinning" a good story and good letters.
Letters of Rec are a huge asset if they are written by well-known person.
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