I'm at the weird point where R1 apps are due, and I have a 700 on the GMAT. I am retaking in late September, but that will be long after most of my top programs are due. I've been speaking to people on forums (reddit + gmat club) as well as with current students (through forte/company events). It's interesting because forum people tell me unequivocally to retake and apply R2. However, current students tell me almost unanimously to apply R1 because the GMAT is just one part of the application.
I'm an Asian female, attended a no-name school, 3.6 GPA, 700 GMAT, worked as a teacher, and later at a Big 4.
Wanted to ask WSO what they thought!
I have a few questions before I voice an opinion:
Hi Linda, Thanks for the reply!
And which top schools are you aiming for?
Round 1 I am applying to GSB, Sloan, & Booth.
I'm retaking in September, hoping for a Q49, and applying to HBS, Wharton-Lauder, Columbia & Yale in R2.
The tough love here is that you need to reevaluate your target programs. Even with a 740+ GMAT all of those programs would be reaches with your profile (HBS and GSB almost certainly out, maybe a shot at 1-2 of the other schools(. With a 700, it's just a prayer, unless I'm missing something else about your profile that would significantly stand out that we're not seeing here?
The teacher to Big 4 is kind of a cool story, and I'd leverage that, but you need something more to hook in the audience. I hope your recommendations are killer. Tech is less desirable than strategy for top programs.
I'd be looking at Ross, Haas, Carnegie Mellon, Duke as well - you might get in to one of those - do you have a regional preference?
You'll need to prove why you need an MBA to go from tech consulting to tech consulting. That will take some storytelling.
The current MBA students are certainly correct that the GMAT is not the only factor and you have a lot going for you with your leadership, diverse work experience, and distinctive goal. Nonetheless, I am concerned that the schools will have concerns about a 3.6 from a no-name school and the low quant score. The schools you are applying to R1 are also intensely competitive programs. You'd have to be very compelling in many ways to get them to take a chance.
I'm not saying you can't get in with a 700, but to maximize your chances at all your target programs, my advice to you would be to focus now on the GMAT so you get the best score you can. Then take a day (or weekend) off, and immediately begin working on your applications so you can submit all of them Round 2. Do try to submit CBS in November or at the latest early December because statistically they've said that acceptance rates are higher earlier. Work steadily on the apps so there is no crunch before the deadlines.
The other thing I would highlight...as a female applicant, you have Round flexibility. I don't think you need to push yourself to apply in R1. I'd recommend applying when you are the strongest possible applicant which sounds like it could be R2.
Hi mbaMissionKrista,
Thanks for the reply! One thing that I've heard is that R1 is traditional reserved for "traditional" applications (i.e. consultants, bankers, etc.), and this is the biggest motivator for me pushing to get an app out. Is this true?
Thanks!
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