Hello all, I'd appreciate some advice here.

I just took a preliminary GMAT test, my intention is to re-take before first application deadline rounds for fall 2016 intakes.

I scored 730, and would like to position myself to apply for 'tier 1' schools, per the GMAT tier posting here. I'm especially interested in American schools like Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, etc.

Unfortunately, the rest of my application profile is on the slim side. My undergraduate degree is in biology, but my GPA is lower than I would have liked at 3.1, weighted down by poor performance in the first two years of school.

I've been working for 2 years in a startup pharma lab but this is not what I want to do. I'd like to continue in life sciences but work for a larger company; in any case I don't think I'd like to continue doing lab work. By the time I apply I'll have 3 years of work experience, almost 4 by fall 2016 intakes.

Basically what I'm looking for is suggestions in terms of helping to make my résumé look a little better for the admissions people. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

That requires a very long and generic answer, which can be found in dozens of books on the topic.

The nice thing about B schools is that they don't care as much about numbers, so a low gpa isn't as big of a detractor as it would be if you were applying to something like law school. Also, having a good gmat, will demonstrate your academic abilities. Also having experience and a clear vision of what you want from B school is definitely a plus.

So when you say "a good gmat," does my 730 score count? Or do I need a higher score?

[Edited by Mechanical BVCR on Feb 16, 2015]

The B Schools actually look at entire profile so it is upto you how well you present your application, your essays & CV. How you highlight the strengths of your application & clearly lay down your career goals. GMAT is an important criteria but not the sole criteria.

Yes, a 730 is a very good score! It means that you did better than 96% of the other test takers. congrats!

Thanks. Yes, but I am curious with respect to my odds at schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, etc., knowing that I'm handicapped by a low GPA and relatively low work experience. I am not sure whether I should retake and aim for 760 or 780, which I think is possible, or whether I should just let it go like it is.

If you think you can go higher, do it. You still have at least 6 months before the 2016 application rounds even open, so I don't see any reason not to, especially if you are worried about the overall strength of your profile.

Good point. Yes, I'm confident I could get my score up a bit, I just need to focus some on the integrated reasoning section, that's what got me last time.