Laid off and wait or safety school?

[jchong8250]

Hey Stacey,
I posted this on the ManhattanGMAT forum, but wanted as much advice as possible. Please help!

I took the GMAT twice, with the higher score of 610 (Q47, V27, AWA:5.5). Before I took the test, I was planning on applying for the 2010 Fall semester (Top choices: NYU, Haas, UCLA, UCS, UC Irvine) but because my GMAT score wasnt competitive, I was heavily leaning towards waiting for the 2011 Fall semester and registered for the MGMAT course that starts February 3, 2010. I also decided to apply to Baruch, just in case the 3rd time I took the GMAT, I STILL didn't get my desired score of 700. (I really hope the course gives me some insight to what I was doing wrong on the test, verbal especially.)

Anyway, so thinking that I'd be applying for the 2010 season, I asked my boss to write me a recommendation to NYU a month ago. He submitted the recommendation, but today called me into his office and the basic gist of our conversation was that since the workload in our office is projected low for the year, come summer-fall time, if they have layoffs, I may be on top of that list. Just to clarify, I'd be on top of that list due to the fact that I'm planning on leaving the company, not due to my performance. He didn't explicitly say this, but that is what was implied. (I guess I'm not getting that promotion that I was expecting, either.)

My questions are these:
1. If I get laid off during the summer time and get an admit to Baruch, should I go there knowing that is not my top choice? Or do I collect unemployment and apply to the schools I really want to go to? I am not applying to any other schools for 2010.
2. Contradicting the above, if I consider applying to more schools in 2010, they would be USC and Irvine Merage. Merage's fourth and final deadline is April 1st and USC's third and final deadline is March 15th. I know people always say that the last deadline is the hardest to get into. How much of their class is already filled by then? Would it be beneficial for me to apply to the last round? Both the school's 80% median GMAT is around 640-730.

Here are my stats to help gauge my candidacy:
College:
The City College of New York, 2005
Bachelor in Electrical Engineering
GPA 3.25
Work Experience:
1 year - Systems Engineer - US defense company in Virginia
2.5 years - Environmental Consultant/Environmental Engineer - based in NYC
Leadership: (Mostly in college)
Senior Design team leader
Co-founded - Asian American Society of Engineers

I'd really appreciate some insight on my situation. Hope no one else has to go through something like this.

[Stacey Oyler]

hi Jchong,

Thanks for your post. Please see my comments below:

1. If I get laid off during the summer time and get an admit to Baruch, should I go there knowing that is not my top choice? Or do I collect unemployment and apply to the schools I really want to go to? I am not applying to any other schools for 2010.

This really isn't something I am able to answer for you. This is a personal decision that only you can make. The only advice I can offer you is to think of the long term impact your choice will have. Should you be admitted and attend Baruch, will it offer the employment opportunities you are seeking to achieve your short and long term goals? Will you be happy with the school environment and coursework? The key your decision lies in your answers to these questions. Just be sure that should you choose to attend you aren't simply looking for a short term solution. You won't be happy if that is the case.

2. Contradicting the above, if I consider applying to more schools in 2010, they would be USC and Irvine Merage. Merage's fourth and final deadline is April 1st and USC's third and final deadline is March 15th. I know people always say that the last deadline is the hardest to get into. How much of their class is already filled by then? Would it be beneficial for me to apply to the last round? Both the school's 80% median GMAT is around 640-730.

I would not suggest applying to either program unless you have had the chance to successfully retake the GMAT. The final round is always the most challenging due to the small number of seats that may available. If you feel your profile isn't your best, I strongly encourage you to wait until round 1 in the Fall.

Best of luck!

Stacey

[jchong8250]

Hey Stacey,

Thanks for your quick response. After thinking about it, talking to friends/family, and reading your reply, I decided to wait for the Fall 2011 admission process.

Another aspect of my profile is that I lack leadership experience outside of college. How do I gain this experience in the next year until I apply? I know I won't get the opportunity to do it at work, because of my current situation. Do I volunteer? Or just stay focused on my current interests and try to build them up in my application? Will the Adcom know that I've starting volunteering to put it in my application and look at it as a bad sign? Basically, do I need solid leadership experience in order to get into the schools I mentioned above?

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

In regard to your question about leadership experience. Since you don't have it in the work place, I strongly advise you to find other ways to gain it. It would not seem unusual for you to begin volunteering at this this point, especially if you choose an organization that aligns with other personal interests in your background. Another option would to be to join the local chapter of your college alumni organization (assuming there is one) and look for ways to get involved. This demonstrates an interests in giving back to your Alma mater which in turn could demonstrate a likeliness to do so post MBA. In other words, don't choose to do something totally out of left field.

Best,

Stacey