Help Help Help please!

[xxjatlandxx]

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[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. While it is exciting that you got a call from Wharton, I ask that you try not to read too much into it. They basically get a list of GMAT scores and make calls to those who fall in their range in order to drum up interest in the program. This phone call, while flattering does not put you at an advantage for admission to the program.

I strongly encourage you to do some deep thinking about your MBA and what you are trying to gain from the experience. Are you looking to make a career change? Or are you looking to stay at the same company or in the same industry? There is a reason you chose to apply to Chicago's program and it sounds like this phone call has you second guessing your decision. Would you be reconsidering your decision if you didn't get a call from Wharton?

Right now I think the best thing for you to do is give some thought to the above questions I posed and decide what is right for you. Once you figure that out you'll know what to do next (meaning stay put, retake the GMAT and shoot for full time, etc.) Do know that making the switch from part time to full time can raise some red flags with adcom members who questions your motives and goals and as such it can be a difficult transition to make.

Regards,

Stacey

[essaysnark]

Hi xxjatlandxx --

Agreed w/ what Stacey said - the call from Wharton unfortunately doesn't mean much. (The fact she was complimenting your GMAT score tells us it was a marketing call, right?) Admission to an EMBA is typically much less competitive than getting into a F/T program, at Wharton or anywhere, and those schools are actively seeking more students since some of them are having trouble filling their class. It sounds like your profile would be a good fit for Wharton EMBA - but that's a totally different story than HBS. You're well past the average age for HBS; they tend to prefer younger students, typically around 27-ish. Sure, they admit people along the spectrum every year, but the odds are not in your favor. To give up the very good Chicago program that you're currently in to pursue an HBS dream could leave you in a tough situation in the end.

Stacey's got some good advice - look into why you pursued the Booth P/T program in the first place and see if those reasons are sound. If not, it might be worth trying for the gold, but the call from Wharton really doesn't indicate anything about whether it'll play out, either at Wharton EMBA or elsewhere.

EssaySnark