Hi. I'm looking to apply to b-school this fall/winter and could use some help figuring out my application strategy -- particularly when to apply to each school.
As far as my background -- I'm 27, a white male, and graduated from Cornell Engineering with a 3.2 GPA (2nd two years much better than 1st two) in May 2007. Since then, I've worked in New York as a risk management/performance improvement consultant at a Big 4 firm. My ratings are consistently high and I will be promoted to Manager in October. I'm currently on a 2-3 month assignment in Brazil, and also recently participated in a week-long environmental sustainability volunteer program in Costa Rica. I have also traveled for pleasure to almost 20 countries. Outside of work, I served as Co-Chair for my 5-year undergrad reunion, have coordinated various community service events through work, and have played drums/recorded music in various alternative rock bands since high school. I have taken the GMAT three times, and my best score is 680.
The schools I want to apply to are Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, Yale (and possibly Tuck/Booth). I am unsure as to when to submit my applications. Let's remove Tuck and Booth from the equation for now. I am thinking I will apply to Wharton and Columbia R2, in part because I have read R1 and R2 are pretty indistinguishable at Wharton, other than for administrative purposes. So, let's focus on Yale and Harvard.
I would love to attend HBS. I know admissions are extremely competitive, but I feel like I am well-rounded and could have a shot with a good application -- particularly with a higher GMAT score (700+). Assuming I don't have time to improve on my 680 prior to 9/24 (HBS R1), I'm struggling with whether I should apply to HBS round 1, or try to improve my score for round 2. I am leaning toward trying to improve and applying R2, since I've heard one should submit the best application possible regardless of round (1 or 2). I feel like I CAN do better on the test (and have on practice tests), but if I do not, then I will wish I submitted my application to Harvard round 1.
Since I'm leaning toward Harvard, Wharton, and Columbia round 2, I am thinking of submitting to Yale round 1. I feel like I have a decent shot with my current credentials. My thought process is that if I apply to Yale round 1, I will know in mid-December whether or not I get in. If accepted, I could submit my round 2 applications to the other schools with piece of mind. On the other hand, I could take my chances with HBS round 1 (with my 680) and hope for the best. But if I am not accepted (the likely scenario), I would be applying to Yale, Columbia, and Wharton in early January, and would not have the assurance of already being accepted into a program.
I would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer on this dilemma, and my chances for admission to these schools in general. The HBS R1 deadline is 6 weeks away and is going to creep up fast, so I want to have a game plan set as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and consideration.
As far as my background -- I'm 27, a white male, and graduated from Cornell Engineering with a 3.2 GPA (2nd two years much better than 1st two) in May 2007. Since then, I've worked in New York as a risk management/performance improvement consultant at a Big 4 firm. My ratings are consistently high and I will be promoted to Manager in October. I'm currently on a 2-3 month assignment in Brazil, and also recently participated in a week-long environmental sustainability volunteer program in Costa Rica. I have also traveled for pleasure to almost 20 countries. Outside of work, I served as Co-Chair for my 5-year undergrad reunion, have coordinated various community service events through work, and have played drums/recorded music in various alternative rock bands since high school. I have taken the GMAT three times, and my best score is 680.
The schools I want to apply to are Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, Yale (and possibly Tuck/Booth). I am unsure as to when to submit my applications. Let's remove Tuck and Booth from the equation for now. I am thinking I will apply to Wharton and Columbia R2, in part because I have read R1 and R2 are pretty indistinguishable at Wharton, other than for administrative purposes. So, let's focus on Yale and Harvard.
I would love to attend HBS. I know admissions are extremely competitive, but I feel like I am well-rounded and could have a shot with a good application -- particularly with a higher GMAT score (700+). Assuming I don't have time to improve on my 680 prior to 9/24 (HBS R1), I'm struggling with whether I should apply to HBS round 1, or try to improve my score for round 2. I am leaning toward trying to improve and applying R2, since I've heard one should submit the best application possible regardless of round (1 or 2). I feel like I CAN do better on the test (and have on practice tests), but if I do not, then I will wish I submitted my application to Harvard round 1.
Since I'm leaning toward Harvard, Wharton, and Columbia round 2, I am thinking of submitting to Yale round 1. I feel like I have a decent shot with my current credentials. My thought process is that if I apply to Yale round 1, I will know in mid-December whether or not I get in. If accepted, I could submit my round 2 applications to the other schools with piece of mind. On the other hand, I could take my chances with HBS round 1 (with my 680) and hope for the best. But if I am not accepted (the likely scenario), I would be applying to Yale, Columbia, and Wharton in early January, and would not have the assurance of already being accepted into a program.
I would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer on this dilemma, and my chances for admission to these schools in general. The HBS R1 deadline is 6 weeks away and is going to creep up fast, so I want to have a game plan set as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and consideration.
