Seeing a lot of people ask if they need to bump their GMAT score up from like 720 to 760 - NO! It is one part of the application (tick box IMO once you hit 700). Further study is an opportunity cost of writing great essays. Work out your unique selling points with lots of great examples. Do the essays then when you think it’s perfect, leave for 2-3 weeks and reread like you don’t know you - guarantee you’ll redo. Screenshot of areas I typically need to explore (school gives guidance).

Post Photo
likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

What if you have a low GPA or are Indian/Asian? 720 is below average at many top schools so are you sure that checks the box? Also aren’t interview metrics (like the template you listed) only one component of the admissions process in addition to other factors like GMAT, GPA, essays, recommendations, work experience, etc.?

like

My point is that if you have a good score (700+) don’t forget to focus on the rest of your application. Too many times I’ve seen people obsessed with higher GMATs. It’s competitive so you need to spend time and effort making sure the rest of the application is top notch.

If you have the time, will and belief you can get a better score, then go for it. But do not let it result in you not writing fantastic essays, pushing for a new interesting project/promotion at work, taking a leadership role volunteering etc. These will differentiate more than 720 to 750. It’s time opportunity cost.

smart
Recent IconRecent

I will admit that two identical people with ONLY slightly different high gmat scores (ie 720 vs 740) then yes, higher gmat is better. BUT if the slightly lower score person wrote more interesting essays, really understood the questions and showed a deeper understanding of the school and enabled their references better, then I would admit the lower person any day of the week. I’ve been told this multiple times by different admit officers.

Also, no one is identical. If you think you’re identical then you need to come up with better examples of your unique selling points and keep drafting your essays.

like

Thanks Con1 and BA1 - you’ve argued my point. Too many people obsess on the gmat and not their entire application. Spend time in the area that will have the largest incremental impact of your application.

Once you do everything, then look for weakest links. If gmat is it, then to for it. If leadership is it, then take more initiative at your sports club/volunteer work (it’s only round 1 right now - still have 6 months before round 2). If lack of work experience/projects or track record is it; then take the next year to get more interesting projects, mentorship and a promotion and apply next year if need be. You can even find/coach a reference to help. All these things take time and effort also.

MBA2014 here from a top tier program. Since graduating I’ve interviewed 20+ candidates and helped dozens more with their applications. Also number 7 in my immediate family to go to an MBA program.

Kudos to you. Now stop being a snob.

like

Thanks! Can you please expand on “fit/caliber” and “contribution to community”? Maybe an example?

Fit/caliber is how well you have researched the school and demonstrate you align with its priorities and overall goals. Also would you be a good fit with other high caliber classmates.

Will you actively contribute to your community (classmates during program and support a community beyond bschool and work)

like

Definitely disagree. Attended a T10 and had classmates that got off the waitlist by bumping up their GMAT on a re-take. Most were 700+, though frequently below the median of the class.

Further study is an opportunity cost of the rest of the application is what I said. Too many people obsess on gmat IMO when creating great essays for multiple schools is very hard work.

Related Posts

Is there any difference in prestige of a 1 year MBA vs 2 year?

like

SPHR exam- has anyone ever been “randomly selected” for an application audit? This just happened to me and the sheer amount of effort that is going to go into collecting all the documents almost makes me not want to follow through. Since I didn’t finish undergrad, they’re asking for a copy of my high school diploma or transcript and that itself is going to be an absolute nightmare to get hold of. Guess I’m not really looking for a solution here, just venting.

like

I am hesitating to take lead role. But for my experience (8 YOE) I will have to take up that role at least in my next switch.

Could you please suggest me how can I come out of this fear. I am afraid of taking lead role because of below things.

1. Taking ownership for entire team deliverables.
2. Had to attend every requirement call and as well as technical review calls. (When BA is not good, need to provide acceptance criteria points).
3. Providing and justifying resource/work estimates.

like

Senior in UG looking to apply to a deferred MBA program. I go to a non-target University but have a 3.8+ GPA and strong extracurriculars. How much will my UG’s lack of prestige affect me?

At what age/ level of experience should one expect to do an mba?

What’s the ranking of big 4 consulting firms for mba placement?

like

Currently at Strategy& and thinking about MBA in 1-2 yrs. I went to an HYPSM for undergrad but have a 3.4 GPA due to mental health issues senior year. If I hit average GMAT, is M7 realistic? cont..

like

Anyone have any experience with working full time and completing a full-time MBA? Is it possible? If so, any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Does anyone have any advice for applying to remote positions? How do I stand out? Most of my experience is in healthcare, clinical and administrative. I want to go to school full time instead of part time and working remotely will provide a better opportunity to facilitate that. I’m applying everywhere with very few callbacks. I’m trying to get into tech as my degree is in Information Systems. Any advice would help!

like

Hi Fishes,
Would you recommend University of Western Sydney for an MBA? Prior experience in consulting but want to pivot to General Management or in-house Consulting practice.

like

My company is giving me a reimbursement while I go to school. It’s capped to induce me to study part time. I decided to go full time. Pay the difference out of pocket so I can graduate quicker. I have been working as a manufacturing engineer tech for 4 years without a degree but this May I will get my bachelors in Mechanical Eng. Currently making 63k a year, hourly. What should I ask for when I graduate? Living in Southern Pennsylvania.

like

Anyone got any good/BAD Queen posts and tweets? Bonus points if you know the story behind it.

like

What are the primary MBA hiring targets outside of M7 for top LS firms (ZS, Clearview, LEK, etc.)? I am starting to look at business schools and want to know if there are any specific schools I should look at to go into LS consulting from pharma.

likehelpful

Any idea. How is IIM bangalore 2 year weekend MBA?

Instead of slapping each other with this hitpiece or that yellow journalism, let's change things up a bit.

What is a policy you would want to see implemented? And why?

Let's keep this civil and leave the political talking points on the wayside.

like

Getting my MBA, have a PM intern interview with Zillow next week. Any advice? Looks like a mix of behavioral and case

like

I graduated with a degree in Business in 2018. I’m planning to pursue a Masters in Engineering (likely will pair with MBA) and have been taking the required pre-reqs over the last year from community college.

Is there a big difference between MEng and MS degrees? Or about the same?

I started off looking in going into Mechanical Eng but now looking more into Civil & Environmental.

Is anyone here willing to provide insight about job prospects between the two fields?

Or any other advice?

like

What graduate degrees do you have, if any? I want to get my MBA at some point, but thinking about a degree in innovation prior to that. Curious to see what degrees fellow practitioners have or endorse

likehelpful

More Posts

How many people are there in Pune's office?

Open enrollment — any tips/tricks + best practices for a family with 3 littles under 4? I’ve always done high deductible with no FSA or HSA because the kids weren’t in school. Now one is and we’re at the doctor every other week. What works best for your families?

like

How do you build a marketing resume without any professional experience in the industry?

like

In Admit Calls (e.g., with MIT/Haas), do AdCom members typically share info on scholarship?
Should I ask if they don’t mention?
Thx!

like

Did anyone else who got an offer feel sad and guilty about leaving? Wondering if it's because it's the first time I'm quitting or if it'll always be hard

like

Does any fish have experience prepping and taking the CAMS exam? I would appreciate any advice on study materials, exam preparation tips, and information about the exam.

Is it sad that I want to take mental health leave desperately but am worried if I leave in the next month I’ll screw over my team who is already short staffed and has a huge case that’s going to trial at the end of the month? Has anyone taken leave and planned the start date for a few weeks out? Should I worry that I’ll be penalized or given the cold shoulder if I leave now or in the next 2 weeks?

like

Referrals available for a Scrum Master position and a Business Development Manager position (company website: aleph-labs.com).

I'll share details.

like

I got offer letter from Accenture but I did not get unique id to authenticate it. Where can I get it.

like

Dictation app - can anyone recommend a good dictation app? I’m interested in dictation of white papers, not just emails etc. Thanks!

like

Student loan debt: original amount, current amount, years out of school, GO (pokemonGo? Got your attention?)

Any particularly effective strategies to manage client asks to treat everything as a zero markup pass through?

like

How good is Scaler Academy to get into FAANG?

like
like

Hey fishes, pls help me unlock DMs. Thanks!

like

Hey y’all. Would love to get some thoughts from people about buying vintage watches and what resources you might use to evaluate a piece before you buy.

I’ve only ever bought new watches but am in love with some vintage pieces. I’m not really sure where to start with resources to do my due diligence and ensure I’m not massively over paying or buying something that no watch maker today could really service.

Would love some thoughts from the bowl on any vintage buys y’all have done.

Thanks!

like

Accenture India How is job security, responsibilities and wlb Accenture India Accenture ATCI for a CL7 manager?
YOE 13, AWS Solution Architect

like

Traveling in a few weeks. Usually rock a $1k sports watch but thinking of wearing my Rolex this time. Pros and cons of traveling with an expensive watch? Take both? Or stick with sports watch?

like

Additional Posts in MBA Applicants

Feel like I won’t be ready for R2 this year, any downside in waiting until R1 next year with a much stronger application (ample time to write essays, improve GMAT, etc)?

Aiming H/S/W/Booth

like

Do Wharton and Booth have around the same selectivity when it comes to interview invites?

like

Does LEK sponsor MBAs?

like

As an MBB analyst, how do I differentiate myself on my app among the hundreds of other MBB analysts applying?

like

Profile review
Undergrad: top 20, 3.45 gpa, math major
3 YOE at big 4 as a data and analytics consultant
2 YOE at amazon as a bie and data scientist
ORM

Haven’t taken GMAT officially yet but am getting my 720 on first practice test

Looking into tuck, Kellogg, Yale SOM, and stern

Does anyone else find it absolutely hysterical that people group MBB/FAANG/PE/VC for the prestige-oriented folks and they never include BB IB 🤣

likehelpful

got a 680 on the (online) GMAT - first attempt, I got a 35 on Verbal - had been getting 42 on verbal in my previous tests so am shocked by the drop. Any advice? feeling drained- I have spent months studying for the exam and focusing on my weak areas, not sure what else to do.

like

Writing own recommendation letters suck big time. How much can I appreciate myself without raising any eyebrows?
Did your recommender also asked for a draft to work with??
Please advice 🥺

like

My GMAT studies were interrupted by a couple of life changes (moving out from my old place and switching jobs). Have about a 2-month gap by now and my practice scores have gone down. Tips for picking things up effectively/efficiently?

like

Asking for a friend: for consulting, Tuck or Stern?

like

What does your process look like for evaluating a potential MBA program? Other than employment reports?

like

What’s the growth potential like for recruiter salaries? My 22 yr old cousin just started as a recruiter and makes 75k a year!

like

Recently heard the unbelievable news of admission to Booth. Still in awe. Anyone have any experience negotiating scholarships once admitted even if the school didn’t originally reward one?

like

What is a reasonable time period to study for the GMAT? Any study apps you would recommend? TIA!

like

Rank Northwestern, Yale, UChicago for...
1) Prestige
2) MBB Consulting

likefunny

Almost everyone here is from a consulting background. What is everyone's target industry/role post MBA? Just curious 🤔

like

How’re you all finding roommates now that admit days are entirely virtual ..

like

Does applying with a spouse increase the chances of being admitted?

like

Too late to apply this upcoming fall if I haven’t taken the gmat? Just started studying and average score on first 3 practice tests is a 720. Don’t have an admissions consultant either.

like

Downsides to applying r2? I think I need more time to get a better GMAT score

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal