Dear all,
I have the below problem

Nationality : Greek (yes that is possible!!)

Age at enrollment 31
GPA 3,8
GMAT SCORE : 650 ( 6th time)
W/E 5 years in a multinational FMCG Company,
Finance Department
Middle management (5 subordinates).
Military Service.
District Representative of a international service club ( leader of 9 clubs in Greece / 150+ volunteers)
Active Volunteer in 2004 Olympic games.

Schools I would like to attand are in order of preference:

TUCK (Dream school)
HBS
Yale
Wharton
Kellog
Chicago
MIT

My concern is the low GMAT score I have, in addition to the 6th time I forced my self to acquire it. I am not fond of excuses, but you may all know what is happening is Greece. Employees are fired by thousands and the remaining ones are working endless hours.More to this, I managed not only to stay in my company but also to promote to a managerial position despite the crisis, a fact that compells me to stay even longer at work

I have heard that TUCK is considering the two highest scores in application. So considering this fact, my highest Quant is 49 & my highest Verbal is 34.

I would be most than greatful to have an honest response to my inquiry. It is truly important for me, in order to proceed.

Regards,

Stavros K

Tuck is a great school. I spent a semester there as an exchange student. It's also a small school with a great admissions team who give really personal attention to interesting candidates, just just email them and follow up with a call.

However... please read this: http://www.find-mba.com/board/27082

I am all in favour of people having stretch schools, but your list is only stretch schools and you also need to think about schools where you might be a competitive candidate, and also think of a safety school. I don't need to tell you that there are a lot of candidates coming out of Greece now, so apply early before the 'quota' gets filled up. They have to leave space for the Spaniards.

Jk Dunkun,

Thank you very much for your Reply!It seems that the adcoms pay more serious attention to GMAT than they allege to their sites.It is somehow weird..I am considering DARDEN & FUQUA, which despite their high mean GMAT score they have a greater range, in which I may fit.
Too many Greeks??That is again weird!!

Thank you very much again!!

Well, too much of a good thing is just too much. Lots of people apply to both Darden and Tuck: they are great general management schools with very intensive first years. I also look a course at Darden, and while it's a great school it doesn't have Tuck's resources. But it does have a much better bathrobe.

My friend recently took GMAT but skipped AWA section, will it pose any negative impression to the adcom. He is just wondering to know if AWA section is really important while submitting GMAT score to bschools. Any thoughts / experiences would be highly appreciated.

I by mistake sent you my answer privately.. are you from Greece??

My friend recently took GMAT but skipped AWA section, will it pose any negative impression to the adcom.

As an MBA interviewer I would expect this person to retake the exam.

It seems that the adcoms pay more serious attention to GMAT than they allege to their sites.

It seems that the adcoms pay more serious attention to GMAT than they allege to their sites.

Well, with all the applicants these schools receive, a numerical score is a very easy way to quickly categorize applicants. With some exceptions, students with stronger GMAT scores perform better in MBA programs. Is this system foolproof? No, but it's a good indicator of basic management capacity.

In any case, I'd suggest adding some other schools to your list - like Purdue/Krannert and Florida/Hough - just for safety's sake.

Honestly, the test is not that hard. I used a book with a CD and just practised on the test until I got over 650. I can't have spent more than 15 hours on the test and 20 hours with a remedial algebra book (and my degree is in theology - so no numbers higher than 12).

Honestly, the test is not that hard. I used a book with a CD and just practised on the test until I got over 650. I can't have spent more than 15 hours on the test and 20 hours with a remedial algebra book (and my degree is in theology - so no numbers higher than 12).

Well, only you can decide on whether the time is worthwhile. I realised that you think you don't have a lot of time but, actually, you will be working harder at Tuck.

If you have 650 now, then you'll get 670 next time even with no real work just because you'll be calmer and more comfortable about the test.. As a Greek, admissions committees will expect you to have a lower GMAT than Americans. It's worth a 20 point bump. So if you do more serious study and get a further 20 through learning more then you are getting close.

And, quite seriously, just make an appointment to speak to the guys at Tuck. If you don't fit Tuck then then will tell you... and will probably make some alternative suggestions.

Well, only you can decide on whether the time is worthwhile. I realised that you think you don't have a lot of time but, actually, you will be working harder at Tuck.

If you have 650 now, then you'll get 670 next time even with no real work just because you'll be calmer and more comfortable about the test.. As a Greek, admissions committees will expect you to have a lower GMAT than Americans. It's worth a 20 point bump. So if you do more serious study and get a further 20 through learning more then you are getting close.

And, quite seriously, just make an appointment to speak to the guys at Tuck. If you don't fit Tuck then then will tell you... and will probably make some alternative suggestions.

Contact the admissions team.