GMAT for IB Internship

Hey everyone, I am a first-year student from a Canadian semi-target (Schulich, UBC, Laurier, Rotman), and I would like to apply to IB internships within the US for my last summer (Summer 2022). I was thinking about writing the GMATs, to help differentiate my application. I think it will serve to two purposes:

  1. Getting a high score on the GMATs, will hopefully impress Analysts when I am cold-emailing and asking for coffee chats, and get better response rates.

  2. I can use the GMAT score to apply for deferred MBA program such as HBS 2+2.

Let me know if you think this is a good idea!

 

To really "impress" someone enough to make a difference youd need to score 750+ which is not easy to do & would take a ton of time. And honestly they would be more impressed if they saw a 36 ACT, which you could just take now and use 1/8th of the time as you would on the gmat

 
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  1. Not really unless your score is very high (760+)

  2. Definitely

GMAT is something to take if you have time and are interested in doing business school soon. The score only lasts 5 years, so you can use it for 2+2, but would have to retake later on if you hold off on b school.

As a first year, the time spent studying for GMAT (many weeks) is better used networking or at a part time internship. Take the GMAT junior or senior year when your internship is locked down. If your SAT/ACT is impressive, add it to your resume but 90% of resumes come through without any test scores

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I was considering that as well, however:

  1. Aren't ACTs using written by Grade 11 high school students? Imo it would look bad if I wrote a test meant for 16-17 years old when I am already 19.

  2. The ACT can only be merely used for this. at least with the GMATs, I can use it to apply for deferred MBA programs and it would be valid all the way until 2025.

 

Yes it is for hs but no one looking at your resume would know you took it in college and no one would ask. Realistically if you go business school you will have to go 4 years out of college (the 2+2's are extremely competitive for everyone) so if you spent all of your time now doing it then it would just expire, unless you are deadset on 2+2 which idk why you would be

 

Also, if you are thinking about retaking ACT then that tells me you didnt score 35/36 so I would bet any $ that you dont score 750+ as a 19 year old. Your time is better spent elsewhere

 

I never took the ACTs. I am from Canada and only looked into applying to Canadian schools. In Canada, we don't have to write the SATs or ACTs to apply to university, With that being said, I understand your point, it is incredibly challenging to score a 760+, and my time would be better spent getting relevant work experience and/or reaching out to Analysts.

Just as a follow-up though, do you think the GREs would be a good option or would they not take that seriously. From my understanding, some business schools now accept the GRE, but it is mainly for master's programs in the Social Sciences. The reason I bring this up, is that I heard it is a bit "easier", but I honestly don't know much about, other than the fact there are two sections scored out of 170.

Thank you for your help!

 

Not exactly easier, but different. The GRE is usually just more focused on the verbal part.

For business school both are equally accepted, but banks and consulting firms are much more familiar with the GMAT.

I’ve been told several times that banks and consulting firms would prefer to be shown a GMAT score. Not saying that they don’t care about the GRE, but they won’t be sure how we’ll do you handle math.

 

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