Hi I wanted some input on my GMAT score and chances at a top MBA School (Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, Columbia, Chicago and the likes)...I scored a 700 with Math 47 and Verbal 40...I was highly disappointed with my verbal score and I feel I did poorly because I got really tired and did not have enough practice at a full length (essay to finish) exam (only took one). That said, I was wondering if you could tell me if I should re-take the exam or will I still be competitive at the top schools with a 700. I have an undergrad GPA of 3.75 (Economics and Finance) but not too much work experience (will have 2 years (working at IMF) when I start the MBA Program)...Any valuable advice from you would be extremely helpful and much appreciated.

Thanks!

Once the GMAT is in the 700 territory, it really becomes a non-issue in terms of your overall chances. Put it this way -- does a 760 make a difference compared to a 700? Sure, but it won't be the difference between an accept and a ding -- more than anything, it could be the difference between a waitlist and a ding if your overall application was decent but just not as strong as the others they admitted -- but if you get waitlisted at HBS or Stanford, it's basically a ding anyhow given that their yields (% of admits who actually choose to matriculate at the school) are so high, and with next year expected to be a tough year for admissions (even more people applying), the yields are expected to increase as well across the top schools, meaning chances of getting off the waitlists across most schools will likely be lower.

If the 700 was truly a "bad hair day" and you can easily score 40 - 80 points higher without much additional prep, then you may want to consider re-taking it. Otherwise, I would just enjoy the spring/summer doing something else, as your fall will be busy with those applications.

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

Thanks for your reply Alex, was very helpful. I was wondering, if I did re-take the exam and actually ended up doing worse than I did the first time around, will that hamper my chances at the top schools? since I am right on the borderline? Thanks again.

No, don't worry if you get a lower score -- they still take the highest score regardless.

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