Profile Evaluation - 670 GMAT

[npaulr1985]

Hello,

I am hoping someone could review my profile, as I feel I’m a fairly non-traditional applicant and am having difficulty determining how my profile compares.

First of all, my GMAT - I scored a 670 (41V, 40Q).

Overall, my experience has led me to an interest in getting an MBA with a concentration in marketing, to give me formal training in this area. With an MBA, I would be interested in brand management.

I am looking at the following schools:

Columbia, NYU, MIT, Chicago, Cornell, Duke, USC, Fordham

I was hoping for an opinion on my candidacy for these schools. I know my GMAT isn’t overly impressive, but it does seem often to fall within the 20-80% range. However I wouldn’t want it to prevent me from getting in, especially as I have time to retake it (although I’d prefer not to).

I would appreciate any input.

Thanks,

Paul

[mbamission]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for writing in. While you're a nontraditional candidate from the world of bankers and consultants, there definitely is a trend of of applicants from the nonprofit world looking at top business school, so the adcoms shouldn't have a hard time understanding your motivations for an MBA.

The GMAT does concern me for the first four schools you list. You may be in the 20-80 range, but you need to make them comfortable that you'll be able to handle the vigor of MBA coursework. If your practice tests indicate you can break 700 I would try it one more time. Otherwise you could look into taking 1-2 online/local Quant courses to show that you're willing to go the extra step in order to be successful in business school.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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