So I took the GMAT earlier this year (75 Q, 92 V, 4.5 AWA, 710) and figured I'd give a few Top 10 MBA final round apps a shot. Unfortunately, I was dinged w/o interview. I'm now looking to re-apply first round to a few schools and wanted to get some feedback on improving my candidacy.
-29 yrs old at matriculation next year
-3.83 BS Business-Finance @ Small Private Non-Target
-5 1/2 yrs work experience at matriculation next year
-1 1/2 yrs at small trading firm, 2 1/2 as an entrepreneur/port mgr. focused on futures/options managing $2.5 M, currently working for brokerage firm in retirement plan dept.
-Good leadership opps and ECs, International Exp. (2 yrs as a missionary)
I'm planning on getting back into investment management after school, possibly starting up a new business down the road. I'd like to try for HBS, maybe GSB, Wharton, Tuck, McCombs. Is it mostly a matter of timing (application round), or do I need to re-take the GMAT to try for that extra 5 points on the Q portion? Is there anything else I can do/need to do to strengthen my candidacy over the summer? Thanks.
if you were dinged without interview with those stats it is 100% essay and rec problems. A higher GMAT might help slightly, but you should be getting some interviews with a 710. I'd get some help with your essays.
I agree. Which top 10 schools did you apply to? Harvard and Stanford probably considered you to be too old given that they continue to trend younger and the candidate pool is so competitive. A lot of adcomms like to see the 80%/80% split for Q/V. You may want to retake but ultimately I think your story wasnt concise or compelling enough.
I should have received an interview even though I applied 3rd Round?
I applied to HBS, Wharton, and Tuck
Maybe your quant score is a little lower than average (I think people shoot for >80 on both quant and verbal).
What did you write on your essays? Did it set you apart and did you highlight your unique strengths?
oh i missed the third round part. That was certainly a big factor, and I thought you meant you applied to all of the schools you mentioned in the original post.
Assuming good essays, recs, and proper timing (i was 2nd round deadline with no problem, but third starts to get dicey) you should at least get interviews at Wharton, Tuck and McCombs.
Thanks, Cartwright. I know HBS and GSB are a crapshoot no matter when you apply. So the 75Q isn't a dealbreaker? Close enough to 80? I only took it once and reviewed the format a few days ahead, so I'm sure as long as it wasn't a fluke, I could study Q and get a few extra points. But if I can sneak in without dropping the $250 and 3 or 4 hours of hell, I'd prefer skipping it.
Your essay is probably the weakest link. Work on highlighting your accomplishments, achievements and results. Strip your essays down to the bare bone details, arrange the details to tell any interesting story and then fill in the story.
Your work experience seems fine but articulating it clearly will help you with interviews.
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