BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

A good friend's take on re-application chances

Figure out where you wish to apply
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:27 pm
Thanked: 2 times
Followed by:2 members

A good friend's take on re-application chances

by ksc1940 » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:09 pm
In full disclosure, I applied to top programs twice before (4 years ago and 2 years ago) and was dinged. I had planned on re-applying this year and have been studying hard for a GMAT retake. Recently I had a long honest conversation with a very good friend, and his message was "you don't have a shot at M7 even if you get 750+." His basic points were as follows:

1. If they dinged you twice before, your application was WAY off the mark. Unless there was a DRASTIC transformation, you won't get in.

2. Don't torture yourself. They said no before, so just let it go.

3. You stayed at your previous job at the hedge fund (6 years) way too long. Given that you weren't advancing rapidly, you should have left after 2 years. I know you had reasons for staying, but adcom will not look upon it kindly and will punish you for being too risk-averse.

Curious to get people's thoughts on this. Also I wonder if my friend's statement holds true for schools where your applicatio is on file for only 1 year (columbia, sloan) as opposed to 2 years (wharton, booth).
Top
Source: — Research MBA Programs |
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 381
Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 10:15 pm
Thanked: 41 times
Followed by:2 members

by AbhiJ » Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:20 am
BS. Apply to all places you want to go. Several re-applicants are admitted every year. Talk to Admission Consultants and not your friend.
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 2:16 pm
Thanked: 2 times

by highwyre237 » Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:40 am
would you go to an MBA program that wasn't a top 7? If you would, then apply to a few safer options. If not... All you're losing is time and money... it's your dream, go for it.

Know if you've been dinged twice now, its a long shot.. BUT, not worth it? who knows?
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:27 pm
Thanked: 2 times
Followed by:2 members

by ksc1940 » Sun Aug 12, 2012 11:42 pm
AbhiJ wrote:BS. Apply to all places you want to go. Several re-applicants are admitted every year. Talk to Admission Consultants and not your friend.
If anything, a good friend would be more honest since he has nothing to gain financially from me applying, while an admissions consultant would.
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:27 pm
Thanked: 2 times
Followed by:2 members

by ksc1940 » Sun Aug 12, 2012 11:45 pm
highwyre237 wrote:would you go to an MBA program that wasn't a top 7? If you would, then apply to a few safer options. If not... All you're losing is time and money... it's your dream, go for it.

Know if you've been dinged twice now, its a long shot.. BUT, not worth it? who knows?
Due to both professional and personal reasons, i'm not open to non-M7. Also looking at booth part-time and public policy programs like harvard kennedy, columbia sipa, and johns hopkins sais.

My resume is a lot different from what it was 2 years ago, but the 6-year job at the hedge fund is a thorn on my side. To make a long story short, it was a weird structure where there really weren't "promotions," the fund was poorly run, and the place was just a mess overall. My bosses barely talked to me, and given the type of work i was doing, i was in front of computer screens the entire day with little teamwork or leadership experience. Basically the whole thing was a disaster from an adcom standpoint, and i don't see how i can portray that in a better light. Since quitting my job in february, i've been working on several part-time projects that are much more interesting. But is that combined with a higher GMAT and better essays enough to overcome 2 previous dings? That's the $64,000 question.
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:12 am
Reapplication is tough, but you gotta more than anything STRATEGIZE.
First of all regarding your previous Dings. Before you do ANYTHING, the first thing is to analyze WHY those dings happened. Was it because of your essays? your rec? your lack of something? too much of something else? This is an important first step.

Second, in considering where to reapply, you need to reevlaute yourself. Now, most schools ARE very open to reapplicants, although if you have already been dinged TWICE by the same school, you might lower your expectations for getting in there. I think a very good reapplicant strategy always takes in consideration the SPECIFICS of you and your situation and your goals and dreams. And an ideal strategy would also have you apply to a mic of new schools and schools at which you would be applying.

BUT, before you do ANYTHING, the first thing you need to do is BELIEVE! You may have been dinged twice before, but without faith in yourself, how will you convince others to take you???

I totally agree though with Abhij that you should talk to a professional. Because a professional can help you identify those issues and honestly evaluate your chances towards helping you build an appropriate strategy.

One last thing, this is gonna be your third time applying. no problem! But you need to go ALL OUT. total war! This time you gotta get in, so be prepared to give it your best and work very very hard to make it in.

Take a look at our "Ding Analysis" package here: https://admissionado.com/mba/packages/a- ... -analysis/

It may be a good place for you to start.
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:23 pm

by MBAprep2 » Sun Aug 19, 2012 4:14 pm
Jon,

I would first take a look at the reasoning as to why your application was dinged the first few times and then take those concerns into consideration. Then I would research schools and find out how long the applications that are denied/dinged for are held on file, so that you know if they will be going back and checking up on those. Before re-applying I would suggest talking to a counselor or the admissions advisor for the school you want to apply to, or perhaps an outside mentor that knows more about the process than you. So that they can help you apply successfully a third time with the idea of you getting accepted in mind. It helps to have someone with experience to help you, though your friend may have nothing to gain financially by giving you advise, you have everything to lose. If I were you I would stick with a pro on that regard. They say the third time is a charm, I wish you well, give it your best shot!
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1