Hello everybody - I am planning on doing an MBA next year. I took the GMAT and got 600 and I don't know whether or not I should retake it.

A positive for me is that I have a lot of work experience - 8 years now (will be over 9 at matriculation.)

I am looking at schools in the US - Fordham, Purdue, Katz, CUNY, Pepperdine, Kogod. My "reach" school is GWU - but I am not sure how realistic my chances are there.

I am from a European country and simply want to do my MBA in the US to study abroad and build my network. I do not have dreams of working in the US after I graduate.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

@Dunno84,

You can certainly apply with your present score to the schools you have mentioned. Mid Tier US schools are in general suckers for Europeans - since not many join them.

So if you play your cards right, getting in Fordham, GWU, CUNY, Katz, Pepperdine, Kogod should not be difficult. Purdue can go either ways.

I have visited both GWU and Kogod, and was impressed more by Kogod. I will be visiting Fordham in August.
Out of the schools you listed Purdue will provide you with best education, and Fordham/CUNY provide good opportunities to network based on their location.

Good luck
Ayon

Agreed with Ayon, generally. You can usually write to the admissions people at these schools and ask them for a pre-review - if they think that your GMAT score will handicap you, they'll probably let you know. But yes, Europeans are appreciated at US MBA programs, for exactly the reason that Ayon gave.

I'd say you have a solid chance at GWU but if you wanted to aim for the next tier up - Carlson, Wisconsin, Emory, et al, you'd probably want to get your GMAT score up.

Appreciate the advice. I am a bit relieved actually. One last thing - do you think a higher GMAT score would improve my scholarship chances? Would love to have all the support I can get. :)

Yes, it should - unless the school you are applying to don't have funding/money in scholarships to dole out (read Kogod: They will give you some- but not a whole lot)