The Application Process

Durham

Well today is my last day in Durham. I got here Wednesday night and will be leaving tomorrow morning. I visited Duke on Thursday and the school is phenomenal. I will post a detailed debrief of my visit when I am back in Pittsburgh.

Does it jump to number 1 on the list?

Yeah, Duke without a doubt is my number 1. I did go back to Kenan-Flagler again and spent a lot of time in Chapel Hill.

I am beginning to think I should hold off another year to improve my profile for Duke. I would be devastated to not get into Duke.

why wouldn't you just apply this year to see if you make it? and then if not... apply next year... ::Sigh:: i'm very jealous of your GMAT score!

Gmat score only carries you so far. I got a 750, but didn't make it into school this year. if you hit the 700-720 range you are good to go in my opinion. You should think more about your essays, work experience, and what not at this point. I totally think you should apply this year if you feel you are ready to go to business school.

Putting it off will only make you forget some of the things you learned on the trip, and at this point it is all essays and letters of recommendations. If you think one more year will substantially add to your profile, then maybe wait I guess. But at the very least if you don't get in, you will have gone through the process and have a better idea of the process and where you can improve the next year.

-J

Jmitchell wrote:Gmat score only carries you so far. I got a 750, but didn't make it into school this year. if you hit the 700-720 range you are good to go in my opinion. You should think more about your essays, work experience, and what not at this point. I totally think you should apply this year if you feel you are ready to go to business school.

Putting it off will only make you forget some of the things you learned on the trip, and at this point it is all essays and letters of recommendations. If you think one more year will substantially add to your profile, then maybe wait I guess. But at the very least if you don't get in, you will have gone through the process and have a better idea of the process and where you can improve the next year.

-J

Definitely agreed with Jmitchell. Focus on the essays and work exp the most once you've crossed the 700 threshold. Conveying fit and making sure you get your points across concisely is so important. I've learned this the hard way and at least for the 2nd time around, we will also be more knowledgeable about this process.

Thanks for the comments. I wouldn't even consider taking the GMAT again, TRUST ME! haha

I know the essays, work experience, and recommendations are going to be the most critical for me. I REALLY want to go to business school next year, but I think with an additional year, my work experience can be very strong. Currently, I have only 2 years full time experience so another year surely wouldn't hurt. I do have a few personal reasons to consider holding off one more year as well.

I am really torn at this point.

Fall Indecision

Well, I could be writing my debrief of my Fuqua visit right now, but I'm not. All I have been able to think about over the last week is "Should I apply to b-school this coming fall?" I have put a lot of time and effort into researching schools, talking with students, and visiting campuses. That said, I am beginning to think another year could do be beneficial. Let me explain my reasons:

* I am still young (24) and have only 2 years full time experience at this point. Adcoms may feel I have less to contribute to the program with limited full time experience.

* I am due a promotion in the next year that would be viewed favorably by admissions.

* My biggest obstacle is to overcome my lack of leadership and maturity. Another year gives me some more time to address this both at work and in extracurricular activities.

* My GF, whom I've been with for 10 years (yes, 10 years and I am only 24) is finishing up her masters degree at Pitt next year.


I'm torn right now. I guess I can see how things playout at work over the next few months. That said, the 4th point is the one that is weighing heavily on me right now.

Valid points. But you can still get in! Why not prepare your applications and as the deadlines come in the fall, decide then whether or not to hit "submit."

I know for me, my applications got better after the first few. It would be an arduous exercise to prepare them completely if you knew that you wouldn't submit this year, but it would prepare you to have some great apps for the following year.

Also, from what I can decipher from admission stats, it looks like most schools have a slightly higher acceptance rate of reapplicants than first-time applicants. So even if you didn't get into your top schools this year, you may be in a better position for the next season than if you didn't apply, especially if you have a promotion coming that would enhance your WE.

And certainly know all about #4 on the list, too. It's hard enough trying to plan for one person, so including girlfriends makes planning more difficult! I know more than one couple that is planning on a long-distance relationship for the first year. That's not for me, but that could be another option if you got into Duke later this year.

ultraeasy wrote:Valid points. But you can still get in! Why not prepare your applications and as the deadlines come in the fall, decide then whether or not to hit "submit."

I know for me, my applications got better after the first few. It would be an arduous exercise to prepare them completely if you knew that you wouldn't submit this year, but it would prepare you to have some great apps for the following year.

Also, from what I can decipher from admission stats, it looks like most schools have a slightly higher acceptance rate of reapplicants than first-time applicants. So even if you didn't get into your top schools this year, you may be in a better position for the next season than if you didn't apply, especially if you have a promotion coming that would enhance your WE.

And certainly know all about #4 on the list, too. It's hard enough trying to plan for one person, so including girlfriends makes planning more difficult! I know more than one couple that is planning on a long-distance relationship for the first year. That's not for me, but that could be another option if you got into Duke later this year.

Thanks, ultraeasy. I like the suggestion and I think that is probably the best approach to take!

since you're not using your GMAT score this year... how about you send it my way? you can score that high again! thoughts?

dmateer25 wrote:Fall Indecision

Well, I could be writing my debrief of my Fuqua visit right now, but I'm not. All I have been able to think about over the last week is "Should I apply to b-school this coming fall?" I have put a lot of time and effort into researching schools, talking with students, and visiting campuses. That said, I am beginning to think another year could do be beneficial. Let me explain my reasons:

* I am still young (24) and have only 2 years full time experience at this point. Adcoms may feel I have less to contribute to the program with limited full time experience.

* I am due a promotion in the next year that would be viewed favorably by admissions.

* My biggest obstacle is to overcome my lack of leadership and maturity. Another year gives me some more time to address this both at work and in extracurricular activities.

* My GF, whom I've been with for 10 years (yes, 10 years and I am only 24) is finishing up her masters degree at Pitt next year.


I'm torn right now. I guess I can see how things playout at work over the next few months. That said, the 4th point is the one that is weighing heavily on me right now.

What a great thread! Love the details/pics.

I am in the same spot dmateer (not including the 10 year GF part). I am really torn between applying now and waiting a year. I only have 2-years of work experience and am worried that it will really limit my options. I do like the sound of ultraeasy's suggestion though... Let me know if you have any other thoughts as to what actions you're going to take!

money9111 wrote:since you're not using your GMAT score this year... how about you send it my way? you can score that high again! thoughts?

You can have my 690, but I am keeping the 710

Supplements wrote: What a great thread! Love the details/pics.

I am in the same spot dmateer (not including the 10 year GF part). I am really torn between applying now and waiting a year. I only have 2-years of work experience and am worried that it will really limit my options. I do like the sound of ultraeasy's suggestion though... Let me know if you have any other thoughts as to what actions you're going to take!

Thanks, I hope that all of the posts help out in some way. I will let you know what actions I take as I make a decision to apply or not.

beatthegmat wrote:Hi Dave,

Just to chime in my opinion--I think that waiting a year may be a good idea. While I do think you could be a strong candidate even this year, having additional work experience and career progress will only make you stronger. It seems you are also clear on what you need to do to make yourself stronger, and one year more year is a lot of time to cover gaps in leadership.

Personally, I think that 3-4 years work experience is the sweet spot for an applicant, but really it comes down to when you feel ready to make the plunge for yourself. Would love to hear what you decide!

Good luck and thanks for sharing!

Thanks, Eric. Yeah, right now I am leaning towards waiting another year. I think it makes the most sense, but I don't want to hold myself to that decision just yet. I definitely need to cover the leadership gap. That is probably the biggest obstacle for me at this point.

what would be the harm in applying to at least your top choice this year? who knows maybe you'll get in and can then defer a year?