Prospective MSF Student Profile - Low GMAT score
Hey everyone! I'm going to be entering my last semester of undergrad this fall and will also be applying to MSF programs. I took my first practice GMAT recently and was extremely disappointed with my score (480 - 23Q, 33V). My original goal programs were UT Austin and SMU. However, at this point I may need to consider other viable schools.
I will study hard and aim for a 650+ GMAT, but at the same time would like school recommendations from you guys based on my profile. I want to be a first round applicant and will take my first GMAT mid September.
My major is Economics with a minor in Business. My cGPA is a 3.39 with a strong upwards trend (4.0 last semester) and a 3.75 GPA in business courses. I plan to make another 4.0 this semester which will raise my GPA to 3.45. I am completing an internship right now performing operations at an energy company. I go to a big state school in Texas.
Obviously I prefer to stay in Texas but am open to any and all schools around the U.S. that will advance my career. My entry level career goals are a leadership rotation program in corporate finance or Corporate/Commercial banking.
Thanks in advance for the help guys - it means a lot. I will continue studying for my GMAT and hopefully my hard work will payoff with admission to one of my goal schools.
If you can get your gmat score up you will be fine for SMU, aim for 620+. My advice would be to not rush into taking the GMAT before you feel adequately prepared. I am not sure how much you studied before the practice exams but be sure to really brush up on your quant skills and learn the tricks to answering certain types of questions, especially the data sufficiency problems.
If you can get 670+ I think you will be competitive for UT Austin.
Both of these programs will get you to your career goal but obviously UT Austin will give you better opportunities. You have plenty of time before applications so be sure to get your GMAT down and start networking with previous students and get in contact with the admissions office.
Hi Brodie,
I really appreciate your input. Unfortunately, I have just started studying for the GMAT. I did fairly well on my SAT (90%+ percentile) and thought I would at least make a 600 on the GMAT without studying. But I totally agree with you. The reason I want to take the GMAT mid-September is because first round applications end October and I want to have the opportunity to re-take the GMAT in case my first score is too low. Do you know if being a first round applicant will positively affect my chances?
I will be sure to sharpen my quant skills. I realized I don't understand DS quite well so hopefully I can earn some points from simply understanding what the problems are asking.
I have already spoke with a UT MSF graduate who thought highly of the program. I will continue to network with more students and reach out to admissions. Thanks again for your help!
I had a similar thought when I went to take the GMAT for the first time. I had scored well on my SAT without studying so I thought I could just study a little for the GMAT. Man, was I wrong.
Applying first round definitely helps, as long as you have a good GMAT scored and feel prepared in terms of interviewing with the school and having well written essays. If you don't have all of those things together by the end of the first round then you don't need to worry too much and just apply in the second round. There isn't a huge difference between first and second round, especially at SMU.
The key will be to score good in GMAT another time. If I would be in you, I totally discard that score. Maybe look for a good internship in this time
Definitely. I still haven't taken my first real GMAT so I will keep practicing to reach a good gmat score. I will also be looking for spring internships between graduating and a MSF (hopefully).
Gotcha. Best of luck bro
I have faith in you. While I did well on my first practice GMAT, I did horribly on my first LSAT (157) and studied hard 4 months to improve to practicing at a 173 (99th percentile) and actually scoring 170 (97.5th percentile).
The GMAT seems like an easier exam to improve on, just make sure you gear your strategies properly. My advice that I used for LSAT and that will be transferable to GMAT is to spend some time researching the optimal approaches before prepping.
Best of luck. You'll get it done!
on the risk side, there is no good school that statistically regularly accepts students of such GMAT. You seem to lost it in Quant, and but goal is to drag it above 80% percentile and it'll be a easy 600+.
on the positive side, it has a lot of room for rebound.
Hey! I totally have faith in you. And you still have plenty of time to raise your score!! I've been using a really great and free online course called examPAL that I would recommend! It basically studies the way you answer questions and tells you the best way to approach each problem so it really helps you shorten the time you take on each question and is super helpful in getting you to the score you want to be at. And if you're taking your GMAT in Sept. you're fine- they suggest you study for 6 weeks (and I started with only 4!) so you definitely have time to complete the course and raise your score. I wouldn't give up if I were you! You can do it!!! I hope it helps!!!!!! good luck!
Hey everyone - sorry for the late reply. But thank you all so much for your comments and advice!
@lawstudent400 That is a huge improvement. I think my best approach is to first regain and build my basic math skills (which I've begun). I found myself guessing on problems because I forgot simple math definitions and rules. But it definitely gives me hope seeing your extreme improvement in such a short amount of time, thanks!
@wsorookie789 I agree. My only real option here is to improve my GMAT then. Would you say a 600+ GMAT would make me competitive at SMU?
@Abbygee Thanks for your comment! I checked out the website and will probably look into it a little more. I'm actually signed up with a MGMAT course right now so I believe I'll focus on its content but thank you for the suggestion. And I definitely won't give up - I appreciate you and everyone else's feedback.
Hopefully I'll have good news next semester :)
Study for the GRE. It is less quantitative and the math is asked in a more normal fashion.
Average gmat score: 652
Average GRE Verbal Score: 157, Average GRE Quantitative Score: 160
The above are the averages you should target to be competitive. The SMU program is popular and has really good placements. Because of this, the quality of students has increased. I'd focus on getting your scores into this range if you want to be competitive.
Hi TNA. Taking the GRE instead never crossed my mind. Unfortunately I already dropped $1k for the MGMAT prep course. I will do some research on GRE overlap with GMAT material.
Thanks for your input. I will aim higher than a 652.
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