Will it be an uphill battle for acceptance at HBS, GSB, Wharton?
Im an asian male who graduated from a strong ivy target (non-hyp) with a GPA of 3.91. Worked two years out of school in IB at an independent and am now working at one of the tiger cubs. By the time I apply, I will have had 3 years of experience at my current fund and would have had one promotion. I have taken the GRE twice now (1st attempt 326 - V:160 / Q:166 and 2nd attempt 328 - V:164 / Q:164). I don’t think I will take it again given time constraints. Is my GRE score going to be a ding given my demographic and background? I know most say to shoot for 330+. Separately, I plan on reporting only my 328 score but is it worthwhile to report my first attempt despite the low verbal score to show I got a higher Quant (percentile difference for two points is 6%)? Any advice / feedback would be much appreciated
I think without a 330+, you may be out of the running for GSB (330 average). Being from a very represented bucket of finance and with a 328 GRE, I do think HBS/W are crapshoots. Good chance you'll get an interview I think at either HBS/W and at that point, your interview may play a huge role in converting the offer. I think you would have a great chance at all the other M7s and definitely in the T10-T15 range.
I would advise taking the GMAT and see if you can get a 730 or higher. Would be good enough for those three - H/S/W. Also most schools give better scholarships IMO to people with GMAT scores vs. GRE scores. Have taken both and will admit GRE is way easier, B schools seem to have a similar sentiment too.
Also if you're applying Round 1 (mid October), you do have time IMO to take either the GRE for a 3rd time or a GMAT attempt (as with a strict schedule, prep IMO can be done within 5-6 weeks maybe even 4).
Is it actually more difficult to be in the same percentile on the GRE than the GMAT? I always assumed that the GRE is more competitive because STEM students are smarter than business students on average.
Subjective. My GRE percentiles were much better. Not difficult IMO to get a 320 or higher in GRE if you put in enough effort. A 320 is competitive for almost all the schools in the T15-T25 range. 325 and above opens up doors for almost every school not named H/S/W.
I think you’ll be fine for W. The question is whether W is worth the cost for you.
Think OP is fine for H/W, no one knows about GSB.
Fair
What’s your view on if it’s worth it in OP’s situation?
I’ll just comment on your test scores. I would report both. Interestingly, my scores were very similar: 1st 160V and 168Q then 162V 162Q. I also took the GMAT and was 44V and 48Q. So weirdly my verbal was way higher on GMAT and quant was way lower. I will report the 1st GRE score along with the GMAT to show a balance. But it just highlights how different the tests are
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