Why GMAT Scores Are Not Everything - Your Application Essay Might Be The Deciding Factor!

Why GMAT Scores are not everything - Your Application Essay might be the Deciding Factor!

* Find out why achieving ballpark GMAT Score is sufficient
* Discover how Top MBA Schools allocate vacancies
* Learn why your profile and MBA Essay might be the most important factor
* Find out what not to include in your essay

For anyone applying to an MBA programme in a top business school, your GMAT score counts as one of the most important determinant on whether you gain entry into the programme, regardless of your extensive work experience or undergraduate GPA,

Score within the range of 630 to 730

However, the GMAT is only the first step to your programme of choice. Working smart to aim for a score that ranges in the ballpark of the mid 600s should be sufficient to gain you entry into a top programme. Considering the 80% range of GMAT admission scores for typical top schools figure between 630 and 730, scoring within this ballpark range will probably buy you your ticket through this first step into the programme. Therefore, contrary to many people's believe, scoring below a school's media 80% range as they would usually state in their admission prospectus doesn't immediately eliminate your admission chances. As such, retaking the test might not necessarily boost your admission chances.

Instead, once your GMAT score falls within this ballpark range, focus your efforts on preparing for the application essay. This next important state might just work better to help you stand out against the rest.

Breakdown of MBA Applicants

Typically, you will be competing in categories based on your work background. This levels the playing field for applicants and admission officers in selecting successful candidates. Majority of the applicants comprise of those who come from the finance and consulting industries and have scored well above average in the 700 range for their GMAT. Many work with prestigious asset management companies, consulting firms and investment banks.

Hence, if acceptance was based solely on GMAT scores, classes would be made up of almost exclusively applicants from these categories. In order to balance the class dynamics, admission officers have a class profile in mind, and select applicants based on this profile that will ensure a good mix of students that each brings something different to the table.

Therein lies their challenge to put together a diversity and well-roundedness such that the students from a wide range of work backgrounds and experiences complement each other while working on assignments together, especially since many are collaborative and interdisciplinary.

The proportion that most intakes end up with is an estimated 60 to 65% from the finance and consulting categories. However, with the disproportionate number of applicants from these backgrounds, competition is rife within these two categories.

Naturally, investment banking and management consulting make up the most competitive categories as the MBA is necessary career advancement measure for people working in these industries. On the other hand, the non-profit category sees the least competition. Along with the token lawyers, doctors, government civil servants and those with military background, these applicants, even with their modest GMAT scores, are chosen for the depth and unique perspectives they can offer to the class. This shows that an exemplary GMAT score doesn't necessarily buy you a sure ticket into the top schools as they are willing to trade modest GMAT scores for valuable experience.

Although not dictated by a specific policy or category quota in their selection process, admission officers tend to subscribe to these grouping guidelines to ensure that the competition is somewhat fair.

Crafting the Killer Essay

Now that you know who you're competing against, the next step is learning how to craft an application essay that shines against the rest. Instead of talking about what the school can do for you in the essay, elaborate on how you think you can contribute and add value to the school.

You can do this by highlighting your unique work and personal experiences that others in your class can learn from. These could be special projects you've worked on or rare opportunities at work. Remember that many applicants in the consulting and finance categories might also have come from big firms so talking about this generic work experience just because of its prestige would not do much to make you stand out. Rather, you should convince the admissions officer that you have accumulated interesting and insightful experience that you are ready to share with your classmates.

Writing about oneself can be a daunting task having to sift through all the information and decide what to put into your essay. Some information can seem rather mundane to you but interesting to others. While many have interesting experiences worthy of making it into the essay, it's not knowing what the schools are looking for and putting their thoughts down in words that they get stumped with. Furthermore, it can be assumed that many of these applicants are better at their mathematical skills over language skills, given that they are applying for an MBA course.

Talk through your work experience with someone who is able to offer a fresh perspective in deciding what's interesting about your background, then work to pen it down in a clear and concise way. Work towards a ballpark range GMAT score and an insightful essay, and you might just be on your way into the top business school of your choice!