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suritta
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Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
 

Low score in essay

by suritta Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:48 am

I got 600 in verbal and 740 in quant, but a shocking 3 in essay. Can I even think of applying for MBA in Harvard? I have 8 years of work experience in software engineering and MS in computer science, what are my chances, will my application get filtered out due to low score in essay?
tommywallach
Manhattan Prep Staff
 
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Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:18 am
 

Re: Low score in essay

by tommywallach Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:10 pm

Hey Suritta,

Short answer? Of course! The GMAT is just a small part of your application, and the essays are only a small part of that. However, you might want to talk to the admissions department of the schools to which you plan to apply and get THEIR advice. They may tell you they really couldn't care less if your application essays are solid, or they may tell you that would be a serious impediment. The best thing to do is try to get some honest feedback on the importance, because it's going to be different for every school and program, and will be seen in context with your application essays, and every other part of your application.

HOWEVER, not being able to write clearly and strongly in English is a problem you'll want to address. Improving is not easy. What you need to do is get some serious feedback from someone who speaks and writes English fluently and correctly (a writer, copy editor, English instructor, tutor, etc.). You could post something here and I could give you general feedback, if you don't mind being put on the spot! A score of a three implies both some problems with content (answering the question correctly) and presentation (spelling and grammar and vocabulary). I could give more advice with more information.

Hope that helps!

-t