mbaa2011 wrote:
Hi there,
I realize this is an old post, but I'm hoping some of you veterans can help me figure out something. I'm a 2011 applicant, and I've already heard from a couple of top schools. Hoping to hear from my favorite - Wharton next week.
Poking around and reading about verifications, I realized I might have a problem. I've reported my current salary to be say $50K and I described myself as a "full time" employee. However, for the past year I've been working on a 80% flexible arrangement (have a kid), and I've been only getting $40K (80% of 50K) per year...
At the time I was filling out my apps, I had also been interviewing for a couple of job opportunities, and had been told by two recruiters to report my 100% salary, as that describes my compensation level. The 80% flex is temporary - I can switch back at a week's notice, but I can also do it for as long as I like. I think I'm a full time employee, because even at 80% I work about 45+ hours per week (at 100% 60+) and I get benefits, trainings, etc. etc. I manage a full load of clients. I mean - I've never been designated as anything but full time.
My worry is that when schools verify my salary, they will get back $40K and see a discrepancy with what I reported!
I did not do that on purpose at all... there's nothing to be gained by higher salary. One of my essays is about flexible work schedules and my own experience with them - I was not trying to hide my flexible arrangement. I just wasn't thinking, I guess... maybe got lazy not explaining at length in the optional letter.
So what do I do now? I see a few options:
1. Email Wharton (decisions are not out yet) to clarify
2. Switch to 100% schedule (but I'm planning to leave my job in a month, so I don't want them to go through the trouble)
3. Don't do anything. If I get asked explain
What do you think????
I'd go with 3. Based on everything I've read about these background checks, if anything is awry, they will contact you for the reason. And your situation doesn't even seem that off, so they may not even contact you for the discrepancy. I definitely don't think you need to email Wharton (especially since you haven't heard back) or switch schedules.