Hi,

I'm currently a junior at Stanford University, and I recently scored a 680 (44 on quant, 38 on verbal, and a 6 on the AWA). It was my first time taking the exam. I'm looking to apply to Harvard's 2+2 program this July and wanted to ask whether retaking the GMAT would be worthwhile.

I'm somewhat conflicted because I can only take the test every 31 days and the Harvard 2+2 application is due July 1st (i.e. I would have only one more opportunity to take the test). I have an extremely busy upcoming month - midterms, finals, training in New York for my summer internship, and writing the essays for the application. Do you think my time would be better spent writing my essays and organizing my application?

Other than my GMAT scores, I think I have a pretty unique and strong application:
I have a 3.8 GPA in Biochemistry/Biophysics
I've founded several organizations
I have diverse work experience.
My letters of recommendation would be strong.

Also, do you happen to know any specifics on the types of candidates Harvard is targeting with this new program?

Any help or info would great!

Thanks.

That's a tough call.

HBS isn't as hardcore about the GMAT as other schools (and care more about your GPA and college pedigree), so that certainly bodes well in your favor. A 680 isn't fatal - but it's cutting close to the range where it could be a factor (ideally, you should be about 700 for the GMAT to not be a factor at all).

My suggestion is to forget doing the retake, and focus on the written application.

As for HBS' 2+2 program, they are focusing precisely on people like you:

- kids with the school pedigree (Ivy+Stanford/MIT/etc)
- exceptional GPAs that could get you into a top med or law program
- track record of extracurricular accomplishments (you don't need to save the world, but they don't want the bookworms who have no life outside of the classroom either)

This is the kind of profile that HBS feeders like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, etc. also like -- which is why the 2+2 program works for HBS -- because they know that with your undergrad profile to date you should have no problems getting those kinds of jobs before b-school).

I would focus on the written app and hope for the best. Either way, you should be fine whether you get in via the 2+2 or not (i.e. assuming you continue being an overachiever post-college, you should have a decent shot of getting into HBS/Stanford even if you apply 1-2 years later).

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com