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($) Is a 710 GMAT enough to get in?

April 17, 2018 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

After our scary post recently, many of you may have been left panicked.

We’re not saying if you’re sitting here with a 710 (regardless of how long ago you got that score) that you absolutely must retest and bring the score higher if you’re going to have any hope of success in the app process this season.

BUT.

A 710 is below average at many of the top schools now.

This is really critical to digest and absorb.

When you’re applying to any Top 10 school, but ESPECIALLY if you’re applying to a Top 3 (however you want to define that number), then you’re saying to the adcom, “I think I deserve a spot in your elite institution!”

Elite != Average

This is simple math, folks.

Yes, you can absolutely get into a Harvard or a Wharton or a Tuck or wherever with a 710. Happens all the time. Not everyone can swing in with the 760.

And to be clear, a 760 guarantees you nothing. Please don’t harbor the illusion that if you push your score to the stratosphere, that it’s an automatic win. Totally not how it works.

But a 710 today is what a 680 was ten years ago.

It’s the kind of score where we look at it and we sigh.

Heck, there’s probably posts deep in the ‘snarchives here saying “A 710 is totally enough to get in!” However, the world has changed.

If you only tested once, and you’re reading this post sitting here in April when it was originally published, then we BESEECH you, pick up your GMAT prep guide and go to work.

TAKE THE TEST AGAIN.

If you only tested twice, same story.

If you tested three times with one or more canceled, then we start waffling.

It is totally possible to test too many times and create a different sort of problem.

But please do not harbor any illusions.

Is a 710 “good enough”?

It might be. If the rest of your profile is ah-maz-ing.

If anything else in your profile is only average, a 710 is simply not gonna do it.

And if you’re asking the question, “Is this good enough?” (and especially if you have the letters “H-B-S” on your list of school targets) then our opinion is you’re looking at this entire process the wrong way.

It would be a significant risk to not take advantage of the time you have available right now.

You do not want to live with regret later on. Come December, when the decisions are released for Round 1, you do not want to be kicking yourself in the agony of a rejection, asking, “DAMMIT WHY DIDN’T I DO MORE?”

You have an opportunity today. Right here. Right now.

Please don’t squander it!!

 
 
 
Another Shameless Plug: We can’t say for certain whether YOU personally need to go take the test again unless we look at the entirety of your profile — which is exactly what our handily named Comprehensive Profile Review will do!! Want our advice on your own situation? That’s the service for you!

Filed Under: GMAT/GRE, planning your strategy

« Previous: ($) If you took the GMAT while you were in college and now X years later you’re applying for an MBA
Next: Our quasi-annual predictions on the coming MBA application season »

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We're the snarky experts in MBA admissions!

Sometimes amused and often appalled by what candidates write in their MBA applications to top bschools, EssaySnark created this little blahg to share common mistakes. Learn from them and avoid making admissions directors laugh (or want to hurl) when they read your essays. If you are hoping to have your essay reviewed anonymously on the blahg for free, submit it for consideration.

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From a BSer January 2020:
"love the guide books!"


CLASS OF 2023 MBA APPLICATION STRATEGY GUIDES

     
    The 2020 Berkeley-Haas MBA Application Guide - updated for the Class of 2023 application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Berkeley Haas - refreshed and updated, with brainstorming exercises and structured maps to help you focus your stories!
   
    The 2020-2021 NYU Stern MBA Application Guide that covers the main essay, the EQ Endorsement and Pick Six!
SnarkStrategies Guide for NYU - discusses your requirements for the Class of 2023 essays!
   
    The 2020-2021 Columbia MBA Application Guide
SnarkStrategies Guide for Columbia Business School for 2020-2021 applications
   
    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Harvard Business School!
   
    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Duke Fuqua - up to date for the current season!
   
    The 2020-2021 MIT Essay Guide covers the org chart, the contacts for two references, and additional tips for the cover letter and 'introduce yourself' video -- and everything else you need to know!
SnarkStrategies Guide for MIT Sloan MBA - totally revised for the Class of 2023!
   
    The 2020-2021 Tuck Essay Guide has been refreshed with latest insights and advice for your essays about "investing generously" and "why Tuck"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for the Dartmouth Tuck MBA - completely overhauled for 2020, to help you demonstrate how you are nice, aware, etc stuff!
   
    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Yale SOM - updated for 2020-2021
   
    The 2020-2021 Chicago Booth MBA Application Guide - ready to go to support your Class of 2023 essay strategy!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Chicago Booth for this year's MBA app!
   
    The 2020 Wharton MBA Application Guide - even more advice on how to get to a win with those essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for The Wharton School - with new tips for 2020!
   
    The 2020 Kellogg Essay Guide - with a full methodology to identify your 'lasting impact' and your 'values' -- plus tips on 2020 world events and applicability to your essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Kellogg MBA - updated and revised for the new realities of 2020!    
      The 2020 Stanford MBA Application Guide - for "what matters most" in your MBA application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Stanford GSB for the Class of 2023
   
    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for 
UCLA
   
   

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What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: What did the Fed do with interest rates today, and why?
  • 2020: ($) "Will applying in Round 3 weaken my application next season?"
  • 2017: Success Story! Research and the right school targets bring results!
  • 2016: What ethics is not
  • 2016: ($) Why telling the truth in your apps is important.
  • 2015: Quiz Leaderboard
  • 2015: ($) Do bschools have quotas in admissions?
  • 2014: Extracurriculars and military applicants
  • 2012: "School X, or School Y with $$$?" (Part 1.5)
  • 2011: More reasons why a Round 3 application is not a good idea
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