Advice Needed

[asmithee123]

Hi! I recently took the GMAT for a second time but scored around the same as my first time:

6/29/08:
620
Verbal: 31
Quant: 44

10/4/08:
610
Verbal: 36
Quant: 36

I’m aiming to apply to top schools in the U.S. (UCLA, USC, Kellogg, NYU, Berkeley, Stanford) and London Business School as well. I’m re-considering taking the GMAT again in about 5 weeks but am wondering if it will really be beneficial (I am, however, aware that my current scores fall under the median of the schools I’m aiming for).

My work experience is mostly entrepreneurial (have worked with start-ups and co-founded a company as well) and I have an undergrad gpa of 3.2 from a top institution.

Any advice?

[MBA Mission]

Thanks for your email.

You should really only retake the GMAT if you think that you can improve upon your past performance. Have your practice tests been higher? Do you simply feel that you have a higher score in you? If you don’t feel that you can improve, there is no point in studying for five weeks. Your time would be better spent on the applications themselves. Still, with a GMAT and GPA that are both below their averages (and a GMAT that is significantly so), your entrepreneurial experience will need to be spectacular for you to have a chance at Berkeley, Stanford, Kellogg, etc. And, you really can’t afford to have any other weaknesses - do you have any community experience or other leadership? It seems pretty clear to me that these schools will be reaches...

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Hi! I recently took the GMAT for a second time but scored around the same as my first time:

6/29/08:
620
Verbal: 31
Quant: 44

10/4/08:
610
Verbal: 36
Quant: 36

I’m aiming to apply to top schools in the U.S. (UCLA, USC, Kellogg, NYU, Berkeley, Stanford) and London Business School as well. I’m re-considering taking the GMAT again in about 5 weeks but am wondering if it will really be beneficial (I am, however, aware that my current scores fall under the median of the schools I’m aiming for).

My work experience is mostly entrepreneurial (have worked with start-ups and co-founded a company as well) and I have an undergrad gpa of 3.2 from a top institution.

Any advice?

[asmithee123]

Thanks for the feedback - I have submitted a profile to MBA Mission for a full consultation. Thanks!