Candidacy Evaluation

[Anne]

Hi,

I would like to get feedback on the strength of my candidacy. I was hoping for a higher GMAT score than the 660 scored. I am particularly concerned about my low Quant Score, especially since I am an Engineer. The schools I would like to target are NYU Stern, Wharton, Haas, Michigan, and Chicago.

GMAT
Score: 660
Quant: 42 (63rd Percentile)
Verbal: 39 (87th Percentile)

Educations
BSE, University of Michigan, 2004
Industrial and Operations Engineering
GPA: 3.3
Major GPA: 3.6

Work Experience
General Motors (2.5 Years)
-Engineering Rotation Program
-Powertrain Engine Plant Industrial Engineer

Operations Management Consultant (2 Years)
-Consultant for Operations Improvement Projects for Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Clients
-International Assignments in Mexico, Japan, and Singapore

Community Involvement
Society of Women Engineers Member (2005 Detroit Chapter Volunteer of the Year)
Figure Skating in Harlem (Current Volunteer, 2007-2008 Tutor)

Any guidance/advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Anne

[MBAApply]

With your score, you're on the margins for the schools you listed - you will need the subjectivity of the process to weigh in your favor (i.e. an adcom really dig you based on your application for them to overlook your GMAT). It's not as much your quant score (since you're an engineer by background they are pretty confident that you can do numbers), but the composite score.

You have a competitive profile overall - I don't think it's going to be an issue for the schools you mentioned. If the quant was a "bad hair day" sort of score (you could've easily scored much higher given your practice tests), then you should re-take it. If you and the GMAT just don't mix, I would roll the dice with your score and focus on the applications.

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com