Application Question

[raphaelbferry]

Thanks!

[mbamission]

Hi Raphael,

Thanks for writing in. I think your overall GMAT is around the right place for the schools you mention, but I agree that ideally your Quant part would be higher in order to combat any fear over your college transcript. The best tool to fight your GPA/Quant score is a short optional essay that explains how you have been successful with analytics in your job and use advanced quant skills every day, and you believe that is more indicative of your true performance.

Your GMAT is not terribly unbalanced in my opinion, but if you decide to retake the exam you'll want to aim to clear the 80% mark on both sections. The Cambridge GPA requirement also allows for "top 25% of class." Does that apply to you?

Since Cambridge is rare in that it sets such clear minimum thresholds, I suggest you address them head-on via your essays. Explain why you think these scores are not indicative of your true performance, and point to other qualities you would bring to campus (ie leadership).

As for retaking the GMAT, if your practice attempts indicate that an 80%/80% score is feasible, you may want to invest the time to retake given that you are looking at very competitive schools.

Best of luck!
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[raphaelbferry]

Thanks Daniel!

I got my undergraduate degree from a top 25 LA university in the US, but I don't think that I would be in the top 25%. It appears as though a good number of European business schools (RSM Erasmus as well which I am targeting) have a 3.3GPA minimum requirement, but Cambridge for example states that "We will consider your application if you have lower grades, or even if you do not have an undergraduate degree, but only if you can demonstrate that you have been exceptionally successful in other ways and if there is evidence of necessary academic ability, for example a strong GMAT score."

With these additional points in mind, I am leaning towards retaking the GMAT. I know that a vast majority of schools only care about the highest GMAT score, but I am wondering if you have any knowledge of how a school my interpret a second GMAT score that could be lower than my first attempt. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again!

[mbamission]

Hi again Raphael,

Traditionally schools will only look at your highest GMAT score, regardless of your number of attempts or if your score went down the second time.

Best,

Daniel Richards
daniel@mbamission.com