Advice for Class of 2013 Applicants

Update your resume now. Even if you need to add or change a few points later on down the road--having the majority of the content there and "approved" by yourself will definitely help.

Apply Round 1 to as many schools as you can manage--I am mostly doing R2 and while I have zero idea whether it will actually have impact on whether I get in or not, applying R1 will just give you more time to figure out which school to go to if you have a choice, as well as to start thinking about moving, housing, etc.

I agree with the above on these two points.

I was literally freaking out in December b/c I didn't have a true safety that I applied to.

Also, I worked on the "rock star" school apps first (Wharton/Kellogg) and when looking them now, they definitely seem less polished than my latter onesl

I recommend reading this post: "Sterny's Guide to the Application Process"
sterny-s-guide-to-the-application-process-74233.html#p554045

Good Luck!

community, community, community.. all else can be done in three months

Hi all!
Thank you all for your recommendations on application process - they are all of great importance and need thorough study and processing!
Would somebody tell me how is the number next to the "class of" defined?
Suppose, I'm going to apply this Fall (Fall 2010), then class of what year will I be?
Thanks in advance!

Thanks highhopes! Look forward to reading your topic with learnings from this year's applicants!

Highhopes: Congrats on your Ross admit!

I look forward to reading your learnings. As I have not heard back from the schools I've applied to, despite submitting early, I think I'll definitely apply as a re-applicant for Class of 2013.

I request you to focus a bit more on the differences between your last years essays/goals/Recos and the current years essays/goals/Recos. What do you think were those 'things' that did not work last time but worked this time?

Thanks,

Unplugged

Thanks! I got started already on a spreadsheet. It is really helping me put things in perspective.

I echo most of what was said here...

I would also say that one thing that really helped me was visiting campuses.
Schools that I fell in love with on paper quickly fell off my list after I visited.

It's a couple of years of your life, make sure you're going to a place that will make you happy (in an environment that you will thrive in).

Get out to the schools. Take a couple of days (use one to check the place out on your own along with the surrounding area and use the other for an official tour) and get a sense of whether or not you are a fit. [ and use that as part of your essays ]

Lots of great info on this thread. I have it bookmarked and I actually printed out Sternys guide! I've also started working on a spreadsheet. I plan on getting some visits in this spring.. Does anyone think that's way too early to visit since we won't be filling apps out till the fall?

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Hey all,

I'm another Class of 2013 applicant. Finished taking the GMAT yesterday, Jan 23, and scored a (mildly disappointing ) 710 - Q50 V37. But, time to put that behind me and focus on the other 80% of my application, I guess.

Is anybody on this thread in the greater Boston area?

Hey all, I'm also planning on applying this fall. I'm taking the GMAT in about 3 weeks. What schools is everyone interested in?

Hey perseverance,

Good luck on your GMAT. I'm applying to several Top 20 schools.

Very good point, and something I wish I had followed to a greater extent. I had three decent post-college extracurriculars to discuss on my apps, but nothing really that stellar. I'm kind of hoping that as an investment banker they'll say, "hey this kid works a ton so we'll give him a pass since he was so involved as an undergrad," but that may be wishful thinking.

The other advice I would give would be to get your gmat out of the way before the year in which you are applying. I didn't start to prep for the gmat until last september and took it in november. It worked out well, but was such a huge energy drain at a time i should be focused on my applications and precluded me from applying round 1. So if possible, be done with that by next fall.

My second piece of advice would be to start attending the events and visiting schools as soon as possible. If you have the chance to attend multiple events for your favorite schools in your home city, you'll be able network so much deeper, meet more people, talk with admissions people more, and you'll get so much more out of it. I attended the events for more schools when they came through town and visited each campus, but again, it was while i was doing my gmat prep and my applications and so was a huge burden, and at each event i felt like i should have been attending them for years. Agree with whoever said the school you like the most on paper may not be your favorite when you visit...

Anyway, good luck to all of you!

Thanks for sharing your tips. Good luck.

Wiredo - not greater boston, but close by in connecticut

There's so much good stuff on this thread! I'm getting excited about the process.

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Guys, I would very much appreciate if somebody gave me broader explanation as to how the things in the quote should be done:
Order transcripts now (no point in waiting) - how is it done? Should I turn to a company dealing with this kind of activities? Should it be both printed on paper and transfered to an excel file? Should I transfer data by myself?...
Order nice resume paper and a folio if you dont have one (again no point in waiting) - Why do I need resume paper or folio if application process is carried out online? Maybe in case of being invinted to an interview?

Thanks a lot!