NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 25 Apr 2024, 13:55 It is currently 25 Apr 2024, 13:55
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

740 GMAT and Not Getting Into Top-10 Schools

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
avatar
Clevelandrocks58
Intern
Intern
Joined: 18 May 2014
Posts: 9
Own Kudos [?]: 8 [1]
Given Kudos: 0
Concentration: Marketing, Finance
Schools: Stern '17 (A) CBS '17 (D) Wharton '17 (D) Booth '17 (WA) Sloan '17 (D) Stanford '17 (D) Kellogg '17 (WL)
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41
Send PM
740 GMAT and Not Getting Into Top-10 Schools [#permalink] New post   21 Dec 2014, 15:07
1
Bookmarks
I have a 740 GMAT on first try (49Q) and am a top performer at a Big-4 consulting firm with 3 years experience out of college - specializing in a particular technology area (so not strategy like MBB). I went to a top-15 school (non-Ivy, but its a well known univ.) and graduated with honors and a double major and double minor with lots of stat/math/econ courses. I do not have a ton of extracurriculars outside of work - some volunteering and I do tutoring for the SAT, but it's paid. Goal is to go into consumer products - made the case on my essays for why I would be good (essays were reviewed by friend who now is in industry and had MBA from Stanford).

I got rejected w/out interview from Stanford and Wharton, got WL with interview at Sloan, Booth, Kellogg and accepted at Stern. I'm stunned, especially at not at least getting an interview at Wharton and getting WL at the other schools.

Here are my thoughts:
1) Lack of extracurriculars - I'm sorry but it shouldn't be a volunteer fest to get into these schools. I have lots of leadership in activities from college and make my own money on the side doing SAT tutoring for rich kids.
2) White Male - I have a fair number of coworker friends in my area who got into these schools/got interviews, the commonality being they are not white males (mostly female). Are the standards that much higher if you are a white male?

Any thoughts on what I can do to get into these schools next application cycle? Or Waitlist advice?
User avatar
CindyTAccepted
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 29 Oct 2013
Posts: 662
Own Kudos [?]: 58 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: 740 GMAT and Not Getting Into Top-10 Schools [#permalink] New post   08 Jan 2015, 09:39
Expert Reply
Hello,

There are two key things that might be the reasons your applications are “under-performing” in terms of results:

1. The presentation itself – how you present your case through your application – may not be great. Considering how competitive these programs are (and you’re competing against the best in the world at Wharton, NYU, Columbia, etc.) you not only need to be qualified; that’s just a starting point. Your applications must be stellar, especially if you’re in a highly represented group, and they must really differentiate and distinguish you within your demographic and industry groups.
2. One or more of your recommendations may be undermining your applications.

To prepare for a new application cycle, I suggest taking a hard look at your application presentation, and see if it might be improved. I’ve worked with many reapplicants to top programs over the years, and most of the time they are qualified, indeed well qualified, but they haven’t delivered compelling applications the first time around.

For wait-list, start with the above step (critique your application) and if allowed/encouraged, write a wait-list letter that conveys relevant recent develops and directly or indirectly addresses application weaknesses you may perceive (e.g., you can briefly elaborate on goals and/or on your fit with and interest in the program).
User avatar
JackSparr0w
Manager
Manager
Joined: 08 Feb 2014
Posts: 168
Own Kudos [?]: 113 [0]
Given Kudos: 145
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance
Schools: Cnsrtm-Stern '17 (M$) Cnsrtm-Darden '17 (WL) Cnsrtm-Johnson '17 (A) Cnsrtm-Tuck '17 (WL)
GMAT 1: 650 Q39 V41
WE:Analyst (Commercial Banking)
Send PM
Re: 740 GMAT and Not Getting Into Top-10 Schools [#permalink] New post   08 Jan 2015, 10:00
Would you not attend Stern?
avatar
luckyseventy7
Intern
Intern
Joined: 22 Jan 2014
Posts: 36
Own Kudos [?]: 12 [0]
Given Kudos: 9
Location: United States
Schools: Stanford '17 (S) Wharton '17 (S) Booth '17 (A) Kellogg '17 (WL) HBS '17 (S)
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: 740 GMAT and Not Getting Into Top-10 Schools [#permalink] New post   08 Jan 2015, 11:45
As another over-represented demographic, I think extracurriculars are even more important because those become major differentiation factors. While, I agree on your volunteer perspective, top bschools are competitive and there are plenty of similar applicants who are willing to put in the extra time to volunteer. Seems like everyone I know that applied to mba is a leader, founder or board member of this or that nonprofit. The feedback I've gotten is volunteer experience demonstrates to adcoms at least an effort to 'play the game.' Congrats on Stern and consider using a consultant next cycle if you didn't this last time. Best of luck
avatar
bostonbp
Manager
Manager
Joined: 03 Sep 2014
Posts: 115
Own Kudos [?]: 45 [0]
Given Kudos: 31
Concentration: Strategy, Finance
Schools: HBS '17 (S) Booth '17 (M) Wharton '17 (D) Stanford '17 (D)
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V45
GPA: 3.65
WE:Other (Other)
Send PM
Re: 740 GMAT and Not Getting Into Top-10 Schools [#permalink] New post   09 Jan 2015, 09:07
I think you're underselling yourself. Stanford and Wharton are extremely competitive and there is a glut of qualified applications, they can't see them all. I also had what I was told is a strong profile (770GMAT, strong GPA, good work experience with a lot of leadership and 'extras' at work, multiple certifications in finance) and did not receive an interview from either, but was accepted elsewhere and also placed on further consideration at HBS. You were selected to interview at three of the top MBA programs in the world. The triple waitlist must have stung but obviously you had something going for you, and chances are you will get off of one of them.

Why did you apply to Stern if you wouldn't attend? Have you done enough research and sold yourself on the individual programs? That may be something that shone through in your applications.

I read an article a while back that broke down surveys of what adcoms really rate most highly for incoming applicants; WE and GMAT ruled supreme, with community service far down the list. I know they tout that aspect in the media but I think they just want to see that people are doing SOMETHING meaningful outside of work. Of course, some people probably get in based on amazing volunteer work, but for most it is just part of a well rounded application.
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: 740 GMAT and Not Getting Into Top-10 Schools [#permalink]
09 Jan 2015, 09:07

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions