Profile Evaluation - Retake GMAT?

[amandahat]

I just took the GMAT today and scored 710 overall (43Quant, 44Verbal). I am very happy with the verbal score but am obviously concerned about only scoring in the 65% in quant. On all practice tests (4 mgmat and 2 gmat prep) I scored around 80% in quant with overall scores ranging from a 700 - 740.

I am assuming I have no choice but to retake the exam and hope to get much closer to the 80% in quant but am worried that I will get lower in verbal. I was hoping to get some advice on retaking and also hoping to get feedback on my overall chances of getting accepted to top schools (mainly Berkeley, Stanford, or other top schools in California).

Profile:
Female/26/Caucasian

Gmat - 710 (43Quant, 44Verbal)

Undergrad - Top 100 undergrad business school in Southwest, GPA - 3.7, Major - Business Economics, Minor - Poli Sci

Work Experience - Worked as a project manager at a top bank for 1 year then transferred to a new role with the company to NY in 2007. Promoted to associate at time of transfer.

Additional Education - Completed a certificate in international business from an international institution through work experience and independent course work.

Activities - Volunteer at a charter school for underprivileged high school students, involvement varies based on work schedule

MBA Goals - Eventually want to move into the nonprofit sector, ideally working with children's health or similar although not sure if this is realistic (financially) straight from MBA

Any advice on retaking the GMAT and realistic admission chances are greatly appreciated!!

[mbamission]

Hi Amanda,

Thanks for writing in and sharing your information. A 710 tends to be a competitive score at just about every school, although you are right to be somewhat concerned about the lower Quant score.

As I am sure you know, Stanford is at the top of the top-tier schools, and Berkeley is also very competitive. While I don't know much about your leadership experience or how you plan to go about your post-MBA goals, you seem to have a good sense of what your strengths are and will want to make sure you emphasize them as part of a cohesive story in your essays.

If Stanford is your dream school, rather than a "why not?" application, you may want to work on raising your Quant score. Otherwise I'd recommend using your time to focus on your essays and making sure your application story flows well.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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