Dear Admission Expert,

I've just taken my GMAT and I scored 710 (Q50, V36). I'm interested in a top Finance PhD program in the US (Harvard, MIT, Chicago, Wharton, etc). I'm from a Canadian University majoring in Mathematics with a 4.0 GPA.

I'm wondering if I should retake my GMAT. Also, how important is the AWA, what kind of a score should I be looking for to get into those schools?

Thank you =)

Thank you for your inquiry.

We have only helped a few candidates with PHD admissions. Our experience is that academic performance and by that we mean existing publications, not grades, and your connection with the target department’s areas of research are more important than the GMAT. Your 710 GMAT should be fine.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844

Thanks for your reply, Jeremy.

I just got my AWA scores back and I got a 4.5. Is that going to hurt my application? Or am I fine so I dont need to retake it.

Thanks.

Thank you for your inquiry.

Generally, AWA scores are used to validate that the GMAT taker and the individual submitting the application are indeed the same person. So, if the essays are written “perfectly” and the GMAT essays are completely incoherent, the AdCom may suspect something “fishy.” Or, alternatively, if your GMAT scores were strong, due to whopping quant scores, but you show that you have trouble communicating in English via your writing, the AdCom may be concerned about your ability to manage the program.

In short, your 4.5 AWA score is high enough that you need not worry.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844

Dear Admissions Consultant,

I took the test for the first time last Friday and got a 700 (49Q / 35V). While 700 was the end goal all along, I was honestly disappointed as I'd been in the 730 range on the practice tests, and around the 40-42 range on verbal. I'm targeting the top tier schools (HBS, Wharton, GSB, Kellogg, Sloan), do you think it would be worthwhile to put in the extra month of prep to take it again towards the end of August?

I have 3+ years work experience after graduating from a top 25 undergrad. I think my experience will be viewed on the strong side, and should have very good recommendations. Overall, I think I should be a competitive applicant for some or most of those schools. However, I don't want a subpar GMAT score to be the only thing holding me back.

Is it worth it to take it again?

Any advice you could provide would be helpful.

Thanks.