Can you get into HBS with 660? What about INSEAD with 650? Wharton with 650? Stanford or NYU with 670?
While there is abundant information about MBA admissions online, you can’t really find an answer to these questions. You can find the statistics, i.e., the average GMAT score for these top MBA schools, and while I have seen applicants get into Wharton, LBS, INSEAD and HBS with a 650, this is not common.
To get a reality check for your target school, compare your GMAT score to the data.
GMAT Score: Average + 20
If your score is significantly above the average (+20 points), then you’ve got a slight advantage here. The significance and impact of your great score is determined by your background (e.g., engineering versus English major) and your location (India versus Latin America)
GMAT Score: Around the Class Average
If you are near the average/mean (+/- 10 points) the GMAT is probably not going to be an issue, so while you might not be happy with the score, don’t retake it unless you think you can improve it by at least 20 or 30 points. Spend your energy elsewhere.
GMAT Score: Below the 80% Range
If you are outside of the 80% range, it is very likely that the GMAT score is going to negatively impact your chances of being admitted into the school. This means that your profile has to be very strong, from professional achievements to glowing recommendations to a strong undergrad GPA. If your overall profile is impressive, the schools will be willing to suffer the impact on their GMAT average because you are bringing so much more to the classroom and the community.
Free! Let me help you evaluate your admissions chances. Send your resume + GMAT score to yael@admit1mba.com to schedule an initial evaluation.
More helpful articles about MBA admissions:
- Five things to say at your MBA interview…if you don’t want to be admitted
- What NOT to write in your MBA application
- Getting into top MBA: How many jobs are too many?
- Getting into an MBA Program if You aren’t working for Google, Goldman or the IMF
- How to Handle a Gap in Your Resume / Employment History
- Low GPA and Business School Admissions
School specific admissions tips:
- Columbia MBA Essay Analysis
- Wharton MBA Essay Analysis
- NYU Stern MBA Essay Analysis
- London Business School Essay Analysis
- Berkeley MBA Essay – How to answer the one song question
- Duke MBA Essay Analysis
- Darden MBA Analysis
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