GMAT Skewed Toward Verbal - Optional Essay?

[bishopfootball80]

Hello!

I am on the fence about discussing my GMAT quant score in my optional essay. I took the test once and scored a 700 -- 41Q (52%), 46V (99%).

As an undergrad, I studied business at a top-20 university and finished with a GPA over 3.8. I took numerous quant courses and did well in them.

Should I highlight the undergraduate course work in the optional essay? Is this redundant if I have to list all quant-based undergrad courses as part of the application?

In particular, this regards one or more schools in the range of UNC/Indiana/Ohio State/Notre Dame. Can someone with that quant score be competitive at these schools?

Thank you very much for your help. This is a great forum.

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Thanks for your post. Good question. A 700 is certainly a strong score for the schools on your list; my gut says overall those schools will likely still consider you, if the rest of your application is strong, with a good overall GMAT, solid GPA and good quant scores in actual courses. But it may be worth one brief statement about why you feel the GMAT quant score is not quite indicative of your actual ability in that area, etc, if you'd like. Good luck and let us know how it goes!