Research MBA Programs

Hi everyone,

Thanks for reading and/or responding to my question.
I've been looking into MBA programs since around fall of last year, and will be applying for fall 2013 admission. Of all of the schools I've researched (I currently work & live in Indonesia so my resources have been mostly online; drilling their websites, going through student forums, emailing current students. But will be visiting some of the schools in the next couple of weeks) I feel very strongly about 1 school in particular. The program, community and basically everything about the school is exactly what I'm looking for. It has made me extremely committed into getting accepted there but I wonder if it's a good idea for me to just apply to that one school. I almost feel as if I get rejected there and accepted by one of the other schools I'd rather just reapply to that school next year.
I guess I'm looking for some perspective and wisdom here, I'm worried that I might be acting like a teenager that just found her first love. So knock some sense into me guys!

Kind regards,
~Krysia


Oh, maybe a short profile:
30 F Indonesian
BSc, Computer Science, 3.8GPA, local Indonesian university
MSE, Computer Graphics & Game Tech, 3.0GPA, University of Pennsylvania
GMAT scheduled for July, aiming for at least a 700
Work experience 40months
Extracurricular: undergrad department student body president,volunteered teaching in Port Moresby PNG, volunteered as a tutor and lab assistant at Columbus literacy council, little flower foundation Indonesia co-founder (currently waiting to be launched)

Well it really depends on how strongly you feel about the program. I would say generally applying to 1 school is bit foolhardy given what acceptance rates are for programs; however, if that is the only program you would feel happy going to, then by all means only apply to that one. However, if you feel that you would gain a lot from the business school experience and that is what you are looking for, start to look at some other programs. It is just fine to have a clear cut number 1, but if you want to ensure matriculation, maybe best to take the blinders off and apply to a few other places. Who knows... Your visits may change your mind entirely...

Thank you both for the advice! I think you guys basically spelled out what I knew to be true but didn't want to believe. So, the blinders are coming off and I'm scheduling as many school as I can for my coming visit to the States.
I have a few follow up questions if that's okay. As I've been reading a lot more about admission stories, I keep coming across the term over represented, which I'm guessing means there's a lot of people with that same background in the pool of applicants. Based on my short profile above, do you guys happen to know if I'm also considered over represented?
Another question I have is about the importance of "branding" one's self and how our brand needs to echo throughout our entire application. The question is, how do we know if we have a good and solid brand that would separate us from the pack? And also, should we develop a different brand for each school we apply to, considering each school seems to be looking for different types of candidates?

~krysia

Hi Krysia0101,

We would recommend you applying to multiple schools to ensure you don't waste your year. That's the sensible way to go about it. Age is also an important element in MBA application so keep a list of schools ready.Target schools and safe schools.

Good luck!

Hi Krisya,

I may be the odd one out here, but if you feel strongly about only one school, you should just focus your energy on applying to that school. However, I do think that a school visit is important.

I only applied to one school an got in. Perhaps I got lucky, but I didn't want to go anywhere else.

My only advice: Follow your gut, focus, and work hard...

Goodluck!

Hi krisya,
No pkodi, you are not the odd one here. I hold the same opinion, too. Even though it is generally considered 'safe' to apply to a bunch of schools, it's also about your individual choice and passion. If you feel so strongly about one particular school and believe that is the ONLY school that can help you meet your goals, focus and focus on that one only.
Recently, I worked with an applicant who was so passionate about LBS that he didn't want to apply to any other school. And he was accepted .
Best of luck ,
Poonam