Profile Evaluation

[noeltordesillas]

Hi, I'd like to have my profile evaluated please.

I just took the GMAT today and scored a 690. While I was aiming for 700+, I can't be too downbeat over my score. However, what concerns me here is the breakdown = Q42 63% V41 92%. Overall= 88%. I plan to take the GMAT again next month as I'm pretty consistent with my verbal, but I was getting 43-47 in Quant on practice tests so I'm not sure what happened there but I feel like that can definitely be improved. However, assuming I don't improve, will my Quant score affect my chances?

Age: 25
Undergrad: USC
Major: Economics
GPA: 3.4. My transcript will show that I actually excel (B+/A-) in quantitative courses such as Statistics, Game Theory, Econometrics
Extracurricular: Vice President of USC Tennis Club
Work: 1 year Risk Management Deutsche Bank, now working as a Strategic Planning Manager at a top regional investment bank. Some standout achievements so far include playing a minor part in the team that led only one of two IPO's in the Philippines last year, raising $150 million in the IPO. Our company also handled the country's other IPO in 2008. Currently, I'm heading the company's expansion into online trading.
Other: I'm applying as an international student from the Philippines. I don't plan on applying until 2012 but I want to get the GMAT out of the way first. After that I'll focus on getting involved in community service while gaining a few more years of work experience in investment banking or consulting. Also, I'm not sure it's relevant but I'm passionate about football/soccer. I play for a company-sponsored team and we enter various tournaments and leagues in the country, so I guess this could go under my extracurriculars.

Schools:

Harvard
UPenn
Stanford
Berkeley
UCLA
Columbia
NYU
INSEAD
Dartmouth
LBS

I appreciate your advice!

[mbamission]

Hi -
First of all, let me apologize for the brief delay in responding. (I had some IT issues and did not realize there was an unanswered thread).

It sounds like you are well on your way to building a compelling candidacy for admission - congrats. We would recommend retaking the GMAT. As you may have read in our previous posts, a score of 700 with 80th percentiles in quant and verbal is the benchmark for success. This is not to say that every admit has achieved this score, but it is the hurdle to beat. You have listed a range of schools including some that might be reaches but others that would likely be quite realistic, which is a good approach. Of course, by the time you apply, you will probably have narrowed down your list to 3-5 programs.

Building out your community service involvement is important as is demonstrating an upward trajectory in your career - any instance where you can show that you have demonstrated leadership and initiative will be helpful as you think about your essays. In terms of community service, we would encourage you to involve yourself in organizations about which you feel passionate. You mentioned that you are passionate about football/soccer - what about coaching a youth team in the community? If you are truly interested in the organization, chances are you will be better able to lead and "make a difference."

We would also recommend advancing any personal goals that you might have set for yourself as another way to distinguish yourself from the applicant pool.

If we may, why are you planning on waiting to apply until 2012?

Lastly, if you would like, I would be happy to send over a brief paper we have produced which discusses long-term planning ideas for applicants. If so, please contact me at erin@mbamission.com

Regards,
Erin

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[kschrinsky]

I scored the exact same on my verbal and quant and got a 680 - why would there be a difference in the overall score if the individual scores are the same? I didn't realize that would possibly happen!

For the record, I am NOT retaking the GMAT after my score even though my quant (and overall) scores were higher in my practice exams as well. :)

[mbamission]

Hi -

Sorry I am a bit confused. Have you already retaken the GMAT?
I believe you said your initial score was 690 and then did you already retake and score a 680? Also, in terms of your question, are you asking why, if you received identical raw scores on both Q/V sections, why your percentiles are different? If so, this is because each score is compared individually.

Thanks,
Erin

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[noeltordesillas]

Hi Erin,

Thank you for the evaluation! No worries about the delay. As for the confusion, I didn't actually write that last reply, it seems someone else got exactly the same verbal/quant breakdown as me but scored 680 whereas I scored 690, and they were wondering why there was a discrepancy.

kschrinsky - That is strange! Maybe Erin can help clarify the issue. By the way, have you already applied to schools? I'd love to know if our low quant score actually does affect our chances! :)

Erin - To answer your question about waiting until 2012, I just have this feeling that my case isn't compelling enough yet for top schools and judging from your reply, I think you agree. Even with a high GMAT score and an acceptable GPA, I don't feel like the rest of my application stands out enough at the moment. However, I think my background and work experience is unique and after a few more years I'll have a more compelling case of being 'different'.

As for your suggestion to coach youth soccer in the community, it is something I have actually thought about doing so I'm glad you brought it up. Getting started on that this year or next will also give me two years to prove to schools that I really put some effort into it, rather than doing it on a whim only for the purpose of putting it on my application. Do you feel that there are compelling reasons for me not to wait until 2012?

Thanks again for the evaluation. It eases my mind to hear that I have at least a realistic shot at some of the schools I listed. I think that's all that people want to hear on these forums anyway :) By the way, you mentioned that I should narrow my choices to 3-5 programs. In your opinion, which programs would you suggest I focus on?

The paper on long-term planning sounds interesting. I'll be sure to contact you through email for that!

[mbamission]

Hi -

Regarding the GMAT scores, there are some nuances to the scoring methodology depending on when you took the test as well as rounding the raw Q/V scores but I’ll leave that to the MGMAT instructors to provide more detail. Feel free to contact them via the appropriate section on the blog.

Regarding waiting to apply to 2012 and target schools...it’s a personal decision in terms of when you want to apply but once you think you are ready in terms of your professional and community experience, we would recommend going ahead. There is no "right" number of years of experience - it’s the quality that counts. So, perhaps that is next year or 2011.

It is somewhat tough to gauge the right target schools for you at this point given that you recently changed jobs, plan to get involved in community service, and will be retaking the GMAT. With that said, you bring international diversity, seem to have some interesting work experience thus as well as a respectable GPA and college extracurriculars. From your list, I would think schools like Berkeley, UCLA, Columbia, NYU and potentially Wharton to name a few might make sense.

Best,
Erin

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php