Competitiveness

jayster

05-10-2005, 10:01 PM

Hello there:

First, I want to thank you for this great forum! I have read a LOT of information here and I think it is an invaluable source of information. As such, I have my own situation:

Last weekend, I took the GMAT and scored a 650 (84% overall, 81% M, 72% V). I was hoping for an 80/80 split between M/V but wasn't quite there. Ideally, I know that a 700+ will make me look much better, but I've been doing some research and I think my score places me close to the 80% range for my target schools (HBS, Colombia, UofChicago, and UTAustin).

I am hoping that my AWA essay, app essays, and recommendations will address my lower verbal score -- is this an unfair assumption? I think I could retake the GMAT and do a little better, but not positive about 700+ (it would take a significant amount of time and dedication). If my score were to move to a 680, for example, would this signficantly boost my chances for admission?

Here is some background on me:

1) Vietnamese-American, 1st generation
2) 26 upon entering school
3) 3 years experience with mgmt consulting firm (top 3)
4) BA Pol. Science/PP/Economics and MA Applied Economics (3.74 overall)
5) International work/study experiences
6) High community involvement (Alumni Board, non-profits, prof. orgs, etc.)
7) I plan to get 3 recs (1 from work, 1 from the non-profit I worked at, 1 from my undergrad advisor/mentor)
8) I feel like I can write some pretty decent essays
9) Lots of leadership experience
10) I plan to apply R1

Based upon the above, how would you rate my competitiveness at my preferred schools? Will my GMAT score be a huge hinderance to gaining admission and should I seriously consider retaking the exam?

My weakness has always been standardized tests -- and I recognize this going into my b-school apps. But how much should I worry about it vs. just submitting the best application that I can?

Other than the GMAT, what else can I do to make me more of a "clear admit?"

Thanks so much for your time and I look forward to hearing back from anyone that has anything to contribute.

Clear Admit

05-11-2005, 01:29 PM

Dear jayster,
Thank you for your positive feedback about this forum, and for posting your question.

It looks like you have some very strong aspects of your background ?strong academics, international work experience, a variety of extracurriculars, extensive leadership experience, and a first-generation immigrant story.

While business schools do not put much stock in applicants?AWA scores, you are correct in your assumption that one of the best ways to address a weak verbal skill is to submit well-written essays that highlight your communication skills, and recommendation letter that do the same. (On a related note, I would advise against getting a recommendation letter from your undergraduate advisor ?that was a few years ago and business schools do prefer work-related recommendations to academics ones.)

While it is possible that you could gain admission to one of your target schools with your current GMAT score, I do think that your chances would be much improved if you were to score an 80% on each section. Whether you retake the GMAT or not, however, I would recommend mentioning your difficulties with standardized tests in the optional essays the schools offer ?this will give you the opportunity to state the reason why your scores don’t reflect your true abilities, helping you mitigate their effect somewhat.

Cheers,
Sarah Crane Newman
Clear Admit, LLC

jayster

05-11-2005, 01:50 PM

About the recommendation -- I was planning to have one of the assistant deans from my undergrad institution write the rec. She was a mentor to me and was also the leader of the scholarship program that I was a part of during undergrad. A rec. from her would really solidfy my leadership experience/potential, which I think is a plus for HBS - is this correct? Or should I just go with another work-related rec? I was only planning to use this rec. for HBS due to the emphasis on leadership.

As for the GMAT, I think I'm going to have to give it another shot (as much as I don't want to). Hopefully I can put it behind me and move on with my life!

Thanks...

Clear Admit

05-12-2005, 03:36 PM

Dear jayster,

I can see why you have gravitated toward this recommendation writer for HBS, but I would still recommend against asking her to write you a letter of recommendation. My primary concern would be that, by highlighting your leadership during your undergraduate years, you would be suggesting that you haven’t had much leadership since. This could be especially problematic if your other recommendation letters are fairly sparse in terms of leadership: this recommendation would draw attention to that lack of leadership in your other ones.

You are correct, however, in your impression that HBS emphasizes leadership, and you should certainly do your best to bring out your leadership qualities in the various aspects of your application.

Best of luck on the GMAT.

Regards,
Sarah Crane Newman
Clear Admit, LLC