Research MBA Programs

I recently applied to the part-time program of a top business school after having been denied at its full-time program several times before. I submitted my PT application about 8 months after my last FT application submission. Much to the shock of me and my friends, I was dinged at the part-time program. A good friend thinks that it was due to me having been rejected at the full-time program before and that this sort of "tarnished" me. To what extent is this true? It feels like I've been blacklisted by this school, which stinks because it's one of my top choices and a perfect fit for me academically and professionally. I was recently offered a spot at the executive MBA program of another top school, but my heart is not in it due to the super high costs and the fact that I'm looking to make a career switch.