I have a gpa of 2.9 from a top 10 british university and I scored a 630 V 43 Q 32 on my third attempt. However, I had to cancel my scores on the fourth attempt and the 5th attempt led to a 580 Q 45 V 25. I am worried now since my trajectory is going downwards. I plan to apply for some schools in US. An advice would be really appreciated. I have finance background with 4 years of corporate banking experience.

I was going through the business week rankings and found out a few schools where my score of 630 is within the middle 80% gmat. I am wondering if any of these schools would accept me. I am more interested in US ones:

1 Rice
2. Emory 1 year MBA
3. Minnesota
4. Georgetown
5. UT Austin
6. Imperial College UK
7. Warwick UK
8 Cranfield UK
9 Boston US
10. National University of Singapore
11. City University London CASS


An advice will be really appreciated since i m really depressed I think i made a mistake of retaking the gmat after my 3rd attempt. Circumstances were really different during the 1st 2nd 4th & 5th attempt. My employer does not allow any exam leaves as a policy and thus the suffering otherwise i am confident i can break the 700 barrier but i think it toooooo late now since i dont want to waste any of my precious resources.

Regards
Talha

Hi Talha,

Thanks for writing in. Generally schools will only look at your highest score, so a 630 seems like what you can base your candidacy off of. When applying to schools where your GMAT is near the bottom of the middle 80%, you want to make a compelling case as to what other strengths you have to offset that score. For example can you point to work experience that shows how you excel academically? Unfortunately a 2.9 -- even at a top school -- is unlikely to help counteract a low GMAT score. If you have really strong leadership experience, extracurriculars, or a unique reason to seek an MBA, then you can try and use those as differentiating points.

In re: to the U.S. schools, unfortunately I think you're still on the outside cusp of admissions. Of the ones you listed, I would steer you toward Minnesota and Boston College. Emory and UT-Austin are likely "far-reaches."

I hope this was helpful and best of luck!


Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (14 individual school titles)

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter