GMAT Score and Profile Evaluation

[thekap4]

Hi,

Before I begin here is my profile:
- 3.5 years work experience at a large UK-based (FTSE-50) company. I work in the US within the Corporate Development (M&A) group.
- GPA is 3.75 from a smaller private liberal arts college
- Golf team captain and academic scholarship
- Planning to matriculate in fall 2013
- EC's include spent a month in Africa doing relief work
- Target schools are HBS, Wharton, Sloan, Columbia, Booth

I took my GMAT this weekend and scored a 750 (Q49, V44). While I know 750 is a great score (and I don't mean to be overly fastidious), I really wanted to get into the 99 percentile to offset the fact that I graduated from a smaller liberal school. Will a higher score benefit my application AT ALL? I feel that I am currently capable of say a 770, given the scores on my practice tests. But I'm not sure if I should re-take in a month. I have plenty of time, since I won't be applying until this summer. The splits on my score aren't bad 85% and 97% for quant and verbal respectively, but if I re-took my focus would be on improving my quant.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Thank you!

[rachel]

Hi! Congrats - that is a terrific score! I think with that score you show your academic abilities to the AdCom. I don't think taking it again will do anything for your candidacy. I would dedicate your energy into building your story of why you want to go to business school and why each of these schools is right for you. On top of that, you want to highlight your accomplishments, not responsibilities, at work, and showcase who you are outside of work - meaning what activities are you involved in and are there any where you have taken a leadership role in.

Best of luck,

Rachel Beck


http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)

Download mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter

[thekap4]

Thank you for the feedback, Rachel.

While it sounds like an improved GMAT will do little to help my candidacy, will it improve my odds of getting financial aid (that is academic merit-based)?

Thanks again.

[rachel]

That is something you would have to discuss with each school individually.

Best of luck,
Rachel