720 - GMAT profile evaluation

[Cornhog]

I did pretty well score-wise, but I'm worried I don't have the right resume stuff to get into my ideal schools.

720 - GMAT (42Q, 47V)
3.5 GPA with honors from a state school
Majored in journalism and electronic media
Spent the last three years working for a small town paper where I won a few awards for feature writing and photography from the state press association

I've interviewed congressmen, a governor, and senators (including the senate majority leader), but I was never in any "leadership roles." In fact, I was mostly the low man on the totem pole. I would argue, however, that when covering certain things one must make many executive decisions on the fly.

I'd love to go to an Ivy League school. Is there any chance I could get into one -- especially when I'm applying in the second round?

[Linda Abraham]

I did pretty well score-wise, but I'm worried I don't have the right resume stuff to get into my ideal schools.

720 - GMAT (42Q, 47V)
3.5 GPA with honors from a state school
Majored in journalism and electronic media
Spent the last three years working for a small town paper where I won a few awards for feature writing and photography from the state press association

I've interviewed congressmen, a governor, and senators (including the senate majority leader), but I was never in any "leadership roles." In fact, I was mostly the low man on the totem pole. I would argue, however, that when covering certain things one must make many executive decisions on the fly.

I'd love to go to an Ivy League school. Is there any chance I could get into one -- especially when I'm applying in the second round?

You have an competitive academic profile for a top business school. Your work experience is unusual and it seems like you did a good job. Can you show leadership off the job? Do you have career goal that requires an MBA? Have you chosen schools that would help you achieve your goals and just those ranked well?

BTW, you are right that your title is much less important than your experience. If you were in a position of leadership or influence, your title doesn't matter.

Best,
Linda

[Cornhog]

So, I didn't get into anything. I applied to five schools: Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. Obviously, in hindsight I should have applied to some easier schools, but I thought I was a shoe-in for Vanderbilt and Notre Dame; I actually live in Tennessee and Notre Dame called my house and practically begged.

Since I have a higher score than the average of any school and my GPA is higher than most averages I'm curious: why didn't I even get a bite? I didn't even make it to the interview stage at the Ivys. Does that mean that my essays sucked? Is it because my math score sucked? I tried to emphasize that I took oodles of math courses in college (calculus 1 -3 etc etc). Is it because my experience isn't typical?

I know you can't tell without examining my application in depth, but I'm at a loss. Yes, it's a competitive year, but I'm in the top 5 percent. I shoulda got in somewhere. Vandy and Notre Dame are ranked 34 and 44 by US News and World Report.

[Cornhog]

Never mind. I got an email back. It's my experience that sucks. Well.

[Linda Abraham]

Never mind. I got an email back. It's my experience that sucks. Well.

First of all not getting accepted to Harvard, Penn, and Columbia puts you in excellent company. I can't tell you why you didn't get accepted to Noter Dame and Vanderbilt without reviewing your application. I am somewhat surprised and suspect that you failed to present yourself well or that you simply lack the leadership experience these schools want. These resources may help you:

* My Inbox Brings Good News

* Application Advise for Reapplicants

Best,
Linda