730 GMAT Score But do I have the chance........

[cookderosa]

Do you have time to read a book before this application cycle? If so, I'd suggest you run to the library and grab a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's newest book David and Goliath. Read chapter 3.

[BIPolarGuy]

Holy cow! Mad respect to you on a 730!

I would say that B-Schools really do look at the whole application. I took the GMAT and only scored a 610.

Congrats. you are a superstar!

[LastHope]

I just read the book. Do I want to be a BIG FISH in the LITTLE POND or LITTLE FISH in the BIG POND.?
Thanks for the book recommendation. Very enlightening

Do you have time to read a book before this application cycle? If so, I'd suggest you run to the library and grab a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's newest book David and Goliath. Read chapter 3.

[LastHope]

LOL Im also Asian but my story is different......I grew up from one of the 3rd world country in Asia. We didn't have electricity until 1995 no running water either we used to pump water underground. My father got a job as a caregiver to US in 1998 and I migrated when I was 16 and joined the Army when I was 17. My transition moving to American wasn't easy. I had to live with people I didn't know and I was just sleeping in the kitchen, bus going to work, or at the corner of the mall. I barely passed my ASVAB exam so they placed me in Reserve. I was behind of technology like computers so during my AIT or job training I was always the last person to finish the class activity but I learned so much even though I was slow. I didn't know the difference between Reserve and Active duty so I quit my job as a caregiver. Few months later I transfered to Active duty because I needed an income to survive. I was stationed in Germany and deployed twice to Iraq. I was shot during my second deployment but my bullet proof vest saved my life. After Germany and deployments I was stationed at DLI in Monterey. It was very laid-back at DLI and I was able to finish my associates before I was discharged. I did not have a solid plan when I got out or should I say I didn't stick with my goals. I had my first child a year later after getting out of the military. Even though I already have other responsibilities I did not stop taking classes. It was hard but Im used with difficulties in life. Couple years later I had my second child and it was even more challenging but I kept going. There were several months delay of getting my college diploma but I made it to the finish line.

I admit that getting in to the nation's top colleges would be very fulfilling and of course looks good on the resumà however, learning and being trained with the profession I want to pursue is my priority. Obtaining my masters is my meal ticket.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Please note that GMATclub and beatthegmat is heavily overrepresented by southeast asians (especially india). Their GMAT scores are very high, but many are denied admission because adcoms limit the amount of international students they have. If they didn't, all the MBA classes in the states would be nothing but southeast asian men. So trust me, a 730 for an American female is spectacular.

[LastHope]

Thank you for your encouraging words. Wish you all the best

Doubting yourself will get you nowhere and you know that. As a soldier you are tested no matter your rank and only those with determination succeed. I know from experience, I played the game and had to go overseas to Iraq myself. I know what type of character it takes to be a soldier, truly I do. So I know that there was a moment in your life that you persevered through, an obstacle that you overcame. Bring that person back and go after your goals and dreams. You deserve to have the opportunity to succeed, it is a right in which you defended. So quit doubting yourself, gear up, and complete your mission. Do not fail yourself.

[LastHope]

Thanks, good luck with your MBA journey.

Holy cow! Mad respect to you on a 730!

I would say that B-Schools really do look at the whole application. I took the GMAT and only scored a 610.

Congrats. you are a superstar!

[Yanji]

As someone who's gone through the full-time MBA admissions process with 8 different programs (albeit with a lowly 720 GMAT ), I can confidently say that a 730 GMAT is enough at any school, and it will be everything else that you will be judged on. After getting to know more than a thousand MBA students/recent graduates around the country in the past 1.5 years, I've noticed that there are three types of applicants who have universally higher admissions chances than average:

a) Women
b) People from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa or Eastern Europe
c) Consortium applicants (usually non-Asian minorities) applying to member schools

I know that there's no real delicate way to put this, and I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way, but this is the reality because MBA admissions are always a numbers game, at least to some extent. The majority of applicants are white American males and Indian engineers, so if the admissions process looked at every applicant the same way, there would be very little diversity in the class, which may not be an issue in most programs, but in an MBA program it is important. These applicant pools are a much smaller subset of the total pool, so in order to ensure class diversity, business schools may have to flex on certain admissions criteria more often for applicants in these groups.

As a woman (again, I mean this in a good way, MBA programs need more women), a 730 GMAT will easily mitigate your GPA, and being an enlisted soldier could actually be an interesting differentiating factor if you spin it the right way. Many business schools actually have too many military applicants, but most of them were officers (and male). People like to obsess over GMAT and GPA but essays, work experience and "uniqueness" are probably the most important factors in admissions. So create a story, forget about GPA* and shamelessly play the numbers game where you find opportunities to do so - you will get admitted into at least one program that you'll be happy with.

* I would, however, recommend using the optional supplemental essay that many schools offer to explain your low GPA. If you come up with a decent excuse, they'll let it slide.

[cannoda]

What's your gpa for your last 60 hours on college work? Many, if not most schools will calculate a cumulative gpa, and a gpa for the last 60 hours and use the higher of the two.

[UptonSinclair]

I would just like to add that speaking 6 languages is amazing. I have enough trouble just speaking one and I have been speaking it for 44 years. There is little risk in applying to business school. The worst that can happen is they turn you down.

[Prloko]

LOL Im also Asian but my story is different......I grew up from one of the 3rd world country in Asia. We didn't have electricity until 1995 no running water either we used to pump water underground. My father got a job as a caregiver to US in 1998 and I migrated when I was 16 and joined the Army when I was 17. My transition moving to American wasn't easy. I had to live with people I didn't know and I was just sleeping in the kitchen, bus going to work, or at the corner of the mall. I barely passed my ASVAB exam so they placed me in Reserve. I was behind of technology like computers so during my AIT or job training I was always the last person to finish the class activity but I learned so much even though I was slow. I didn't know the difference between Reserve and Active duty so I quit my job as a caregiver. Few months later I transfered to Active duty because I needed an income to survive. I was stationed in Germany and deployed twice to Iraq. I was shot during my second deployment but my bullet proof vest saved my life. After Germany and deployments I was stationed at DLI in Monterey. It was very laid-back at DLI and I was able to finish my associates before I was discharged. I did not have a solid plan when I got out or should I say I didn't stick with my goals. I had my first child a year later after getting out of the military. Even though I already have other responsibilities I did not stop taking classes. It was hard but Im used with difficulties in life. Couple years later I had my second child and it was even more challenging but I kept going. There were several months delay of getting my college diploma but I made it to the finish line.

I admit that getting in to the nation's top colleges would be very fulfilling and of course looks good on the resumà however, learning and being trained with the profession I want to pursue is my priority. Obtaining my masters is my meal ticket.

Thank you for your suggestions.

This is exactly the type of story Adcoms would DROOOOOOOOOOL over. Would a flex-MBA do well for you (part online, part in person), or would you rather have the tradition experience?

PS- When I meant south east asian, I was specifically speaking of male software engineers/Ops Managers from India, a large subset of gmatclub. I was trying to be non-specific, and it backfired