Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

My profile:
3.89 GPA undergrad from Northwestern with double major in Econ & Psych; 3.96 GPA in social psychology MA from top 5 program (was in the PhD program and left because I was more interested in the applications of research to the real world than the academic bubble)
770 GMAT (49 Q, 47 V, 6.0 AWA)
3 years (at matriculation) work experience in venture capital for a mid-size firm based in LA (we co-invest with all of the top Silicon Valley funds, but an adcom member probably hasn't heard the name)
Only associate in company history to be promoted from associate to venture partner without an MBA/significant previous work experience (promoted after 15 months)
ECs: excellent undergrad/lots of leadership, less since (10 hours/week commitment to a semi-professional choir with leadership, homeless lunch volunteer who started an ongoing clothing drive but no formal leadership position)
Excellent letters of recommendation (receommeders let me read them) from direct supervisor and CEO of a company whose board I am an observer on
Future career plans: to combine my psych background and the mangement/quant experience I've developed in VC and the interest I've developed in marketing through helping our portfolio companies develop their marketing strategies to transition into a career in brand management
Female, caucasian US citizen

In the first round I applied to Stanford, Haas, Kellogg, and Anderson (at the time I was limited by my husband's concerns about location and his career but now he's more willing to move anywhere necessary). So far the only school that invited me to an interview is Anderson (also interviewed at Kellogg but that was self-initiated). So I'm starting to think I need to make a plan for R2 because I am pretty set on going to school this coming fall. Where would you suggest I apply? So far I was considering Ross, Fuqua, and Stern. I also know Wharton is highly regarded for their marketing research but I'm not sure if recruitment for brand management is good there or if they are interested in marketing students since it is known as a finance school. I know it's a stretch, but I've heard Wharton is more interesting in the numbers (which I have). I'm not really sure what went wrong in round 1 and I'm starting to feel discouraged.

Thanks in advance.

Hi

I think whatever you would have pushed as your theme might not have captured the right essence.

I would like to see your essays as for a profile like this its hard to find a reason.

Thanks for the responses. I actually had a full-service package from a well-known admissions consulting firm (whom I will not be moving forward with for R2) so I don't think my essays were the problem. This fact is partially driving my bafflement with the results for R1; obviously it's not over yet and I have not received any rejections, but was surprised that I only received one interview invitation with my profile and the use of an admissions consultant.

With everything on your profile seemingly of the highest quality, I wonder if it was the full-service package from an admissions consulting firm that in fact "did" you in (btw this is all early speculation...it's just mid-cycle!). Perhaps adcoms recognized the "style" of branding/persuasion techniques/prose/etc. of the admission consultants? You're obviously incredibly talented....make sure your application is authentic and 100% "you", and you should be fine.

I just don't understand how someone of your caliber feels they would still need outside help to get herself into b-school. 99% gmat, 3.9 gpa + great career progression and you STILL wanted/needed an advantage? Something doesn't add up....

Tom

blg529 wrote:Thanks for the responses. I actually had a full-service package from a well-known admissions consulting firm (whom I will not be moving forward with for R2) so I don't think my essays were the problem. This fact is partially driving my bafflement with the results for R1; obviously it's not over yet and I have not received any rejections, but was surprised that I only received one interview invitation with my profile and the use of an admissions consultant.

Definitely understand what you're staying but my consultant didn't end up doing much in terms of editing my writing, usually just minor comments. They did more in terms of helping me figure out what anecdotes to tell, how to address things like leaving a phd program with just the masters, etc. I hired a consultant because I don't know anyone in real life who has gone to business school in the last ten years (aside from a few acquaintances) because I'm the only junior person in my firm and all of my friends are law/med school types. So I really didn't know where to begin with the essays or where I was competitive, since adcoms take into account so much more than just grades and test scores.

No I hadn't received any dings yet. I just wanted to plot my R2 strategy, since I hadn't received anything, before it was too late. I actually got a Haas interview invite today.