Hello, I am new to this forum and in search of finding an MBA program that will match with my extensive background and interests while accepting a lower GRE score. I just recently took the exam and my preliminary scores are currently QUANT: 144, VERBAL: 150. I'd like to focus my MBA career towards technology and healthcare. I have a Masters of Social Work, Bachelor's of Psychology, Associates Degree of Sociology, and last year I passed my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam; this title allows me to provide private practice or oversee other social workers in my current field. My undergraduate GPA is roughly 2.89 while my recent graduate program GPA is 3.99. With this information and schools stating they look at a person's application holistically, do I have a chance at applying to top schools (e.g. UCLA, USC, etc.)? Thank you for your input.

I think your GRE score would be a red flag for these schools. Can you retake? (Or better yet, take the GMAT?) To be blunt, I think your odds of getting into UCLA or USC are very, very low with this score.

While the schools do look at applications holistically, your lower-than-average undergraduate performance, plus a lower GRE score would basically be two strikes against you (your stronger graduate performance will help, but in my opinion not enough.)

That GRE converts to around a 410 GMAT, and the middle 80% of the most recent class scored between 680 and 750.

I'd think that the rest of your profile would have to be extraordinary. Yes, I agree with laurie, you should retake.

Theology graduate here. I suspect you are a 'poet' who has not taken a lot of stanardised tests recently. Practice makes perfect. I was able to retake the test, using a book that came with simulated tests, and got better and better. In the end, I was admitted at LBS and became a UCLA alumnus through an MBA exchange programme.

Hi Melissa, I recommend you put together a multipronged action plan for the GRE, and maybe just take a mock GMAT to see if goes any better. Is it about test taking anxiety? Research EFT or Tapping. Find good tutors.Get references. Join study groups online and/or in person. Don't try to do this on your own.

Hello, I am new to this forum and in search of finding an MBA program that will match with my extensive background and interests while accepting a lower GRE score. I just recently took the exam and my preliminary scores are currently QUANT: 144, VERBAL: 150. I'd like to focus my MBA career towards technology and healthcare. I have a Masters of Social Work, Bachelor's of Psychology, Associates Degree of Sociology, and last year I passed my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam; this title allows me to provide private practice or oversee other social workers in my current field. My undergraduate GPA is roughly 2.89 while my recent graduate program GPA is 3.99. With this information and schools stating they look at a person's application holistically, do I have a chance at applying to top schools (e.g. UCLA, USC, etc.)? Thank you for your input.

My feeling is that one can do this kind of prep without using a tutor / coach.

Just cracking a study guide and targeting weaknesses can be enough for many applicants, especially one like OP, who has a distinct background (and as such would be valued by adcoms who most likely won't expect a stellar / above average GMAT score.)