Consulting Firms and GMAT Scores during Recruitment

[Yu_Qing]

Hi,

To people who are currently doing (or those who have completed) their MBA, do you know if consulting firms ask students for their GMAT scores in addition to their resumes during recruitment?

I'd like to especially hear from people who are doing their MBAs at Ivey or Rotman because I will be attending one of those schools this September. Everyone else is welcome too.

[f00kie]

Hi,

To people who are currently doing (or those who have completed) their MBA, do you know if consulting firms ask students for their GMAT scores in addition to their resumes during recruitment?

I'd like to especially hear from people who are doing their MBAs at Ivey or Rotman because I will be attending one of those schools this September. Everyone else is welcome too.

A lot of prestigious management consulting firms have online forms where you could specify your GMAT scores. I've heard of people placing it on their resumes too, but it sometimes looks over the top.

Unfortunately, this isn't first-hand experience.

[verteqz]

I'm interested in this as well. I've also seen it being placed on resumes but I don't know how significant it is.

[elpower]

how would you feel if you are an engineering graduate (Peng) and MBA and your boss did NOT finish high school.

it's sooooo sad, sooooo patetic.

I know this guy UT mechanical engineering graduate and Schulich MBA with @ about 10yrs of experience and his boss is JUST grade 11, Yay.


***** GMAT score, oh please don't even think about it bcs some asses even don't know what it is, sad, sad , sad

[kit0828]

how would you feel if you are an engineering graduate (Peng) and MBA and your boss did NOT finish high school.

it's sooooo sad, sooooo patetic.

I know this guy UT mechanical engineering graduate and Schulich MBA with @ about 10yrs of experience and his boss is JUST grade 11, Yay.


***** GMAT score, oh please don't even think about it bcs some asses even don't know what it is, sad, sad , sad

?????


.... anyways, yes most management consulting firms ask for your GMAT score. Speaking from first hand experience.

[Yu_Qing]

?????


.... anyways, yes most management consulting firms ask for your GMAT score. Speaking from first hand experience.

thank you kit0828.

do you know what range they are looking for typically?


if i have lower than 700 am i still doomed?

[kit0828]

thank you kit0828.

do you know what range they are looking for typically?


if i have lower than 700 am i still doomed?


It's tough if it's lower than 700, but once you get an interview, it's only the case that really matters. But then again, a < 700 score might cause you to not get the interview in the first place. So I would consider retaking the GMAT. My school recommends students who have 700 or over to put their gmat score on their resume.

[Yu_Qing]

thanks for the responses!

[PennyArcade]

A good GMAT score would add value to your resume, but all that will do is get you an interview. After that, it is indeed the case interview and fit questions that will get you the job.

It all depends on the effort level to achieve a 700+ GMAT score: if it will take a week of study, do it. If it will be nigh impossible (ie months and months of studying), then put your efforts into something else like volunteering or networking (which will also add value). It is all about time value and opportunity costs.

[Tongue180]

I don't want to make a blanket statement but all top tier management consulting firms will look at your GMAT score. And like someone else said, once you get an interview then it doesn't really matter much. If the rest of your application is good then it doesn't matter as much.

Also I assume that since you are serious about consulting and starting in September then you are a Rotman student. If you are at Ivey, I would defer to the next class. September start date is a tough spot to be in at Ivey for recruiting.

[Yu_Qing]

I don't want to make a blanket statement but all top tier management consulting firms will look at your GMAT score. And like someone else said, once you get an interview then it doesn't really matter much. If the rest of your application is good then it doesn't matter as much.

Also I assume that since you are serious about consulting and starting in September then you are a Rotman student. If you are at Ivey, I would defer to the next class. September start date is a tough spot to be in at Ivey for recruiting.

You know, I actually have a few days left to pick the school. I am 95 percent convinced that I will be attending Rotman. I was going to pick Ivey because I heard that they have a strong alumni base, and also, they are the best for consulting- whereas Rotman is known for Finance. However, I just couldn't take the risk because Ivey is only a one year program, and I wasn't sure if the economy will be ok soon. I"m not even sure if it'll be ok when I"m done Rotman.


Anyway, so basically unless I have 700+ then I have absolutley no chance of getting into consulting. That really sucks. I dont think I can take any more GMAT stuff especially during a full course load.

[PennyArcade]

You do not NEED a 700+ to get into consulting. If you have a lower score, you can compensate by being better in other aspects of your application.

Consulting is multidimensional: while some consulting firms may weigh GMAT heavier than others, some will weigh other factors more (experience, marks, volunteer, certifications, etc). Don't give up!

[Tongue180]

My last post probably wasn't that clear. I wasn't implying to not go to Ivey because of the one year program portion but because of the start date. The May class at Ivey has a big advantage over the September class because of how the recruiting works for consulting and finance in September. That's why I suggested deferring to the next start date.

You know, I actually have a few days left to pick the school. I am 95 percent convinced that I will be attending Rotman. I was going to pick Ivey because I heard that they have a strong alumni base, and also, they are the best for consulting- whereas Rotman is known for Finance. However, I just couldn't take the risk because Ivey is only a one year program, and I wasn't sure if the economy will be ok soon. I"m not even sure if it'll be ok when I"m done Rotman.


Anyway, so basically unless I have 700+ then I have absolutley no chance of getting into consulting. That really sucks. I dont think I can take any more GMAT stuff especially during a full course load.

[AirplaneKing]

I talked with an acquaintance at BCG and she told me that most people do not put their GMATs on their resumes to avoid appearing vain, since if you got a great GMAT chances are you got into a great MBA program and that will tell your story for you. They really want to see that you have the full package and the more multi-dimensional and capable you appear, the more likely they will take a good look at hiring you.

Hope that adds some insight, none of this is from first-hand experience so take it for what it's worth.

[Yu_Qing]

I talked with an acquaintance at BCG and she told me that most people do not put their GMATs on their resumes to avoid appearing vain, since if you got a great GMAT chances are you got into a great MBA program and that will tell your story for you. They really want to see that you have the full package and the more multi-dimensional and capable you appear, the more likely they will take a good look at hiring you.

Hope that adds some insight, none of this is from first-hand experience so take it for what it's worth.

Hey, I have heard this before too.

Thanks. The reason why I was asking is because when I did my interviews at Rotman and Ivey, we came across the topic about how many MBA students try to break into finance or consulting- Ivey told me that a lot of the consulting firms ask for your gmat score. Rotman on the other hand, didn't say anything. They made it seem like GMAT score is only relevant to get you into the program, not needed a lot of recruitment. (My GMAT score is on the low/less impressive side (ie: far from 700), and thats why it was brought to my attention).

So I was wondering which was true.

But thanks for your response.