Calling all 2011 CMU- Tepper Applicants

Just enter the calculated GPA. My undergrad university didn't calculate GPA so it's not on my transcript, but I entered what it should be, and I was admitted R1.

went through all the pages and updated the excel sheet. can people pls add/edit the the excel document.

thanks

updated my stats...

Have you been to the school before, or would this be your first visit? If you haven't been, I think it's pretty important to go. The school makes a very good impression when you go there in person, and I'm sure the AdCom is aware of that.

One hint: Jet Blue serves PIT, and they often have sales. My flight was < $100 (from NYC).

treehugger,

Since this is Tepper thread, I try not to derail too much.

If you feel that you're finding the "standard testing" portion of GMAT tough, as opposed to the maths and English themselves, don't give up yet.

Have you tried to explore different GMAT prep materials/books? The books out there have different instructional styles, and you may find one better suited to you.

I can speak of this from my own experience; after studying all the Manhattan GMAT verbal books, I scored a fair score (in the 30s) in Verbal. Then I discovered that the books by Veritas that "spoke to me" better. In my retake, I scored 40 in verbal.

I am not recommending the Veritas books or any other prep companies per se. Instead, I encourage you to explore different ways to improve your GMAT score, if you have not done so yet.

Good luck!

i too got it..." Due to the large volume of mail and applications that we receive around our application deadlines, please understand that it will take us some time for your application materials to be processed. ". Probably just means stop bugging us.

Hahaha yeah!! But, for a moment i thought that it was the decision mail...Man, am i jumpy these days!!

I'm not from India, but my undergrad degree is not from the US, and I did do what you describe.

Hi Codename47,

Ya, I have an interview with member of student services (Monique Moreland) on Feb 2nd. I had the interview with one of the admissions staff, and looks like his schedule changed suddenly. So they sent me an email that I will interviewed by Monique.

Does someone has any interview experience with student services committee? Please share.

Thanks.

Thanks for the reply Rao,

Its not generic, my application turned incomplete even though I submitted all the listed documents by January deadline.
I emailed Carol stating the problem and also attached a scanned copy of my degree transcript assuming, it might solve the problem.

Carol said Thanks for the copy, I added it to your file. She never replied as to why my app was incomplete.

Comon why is my application still Incomplete? Confusing me!

I would say you can politely ask adcom about the status. If you need my help PM me and I can try and find the right person.

This is why they insist you visit, the place makes a strong impression... I'm really looking forward to being back, and the weather for Sunday looks OK!

I hadn't looked at my application page since getting the interview (and at that point it wasn't even updated), but now it says:

Stage 2: Application Complete Pending Interview

but below, under Application Status, it does say incomplete.

My guess is that it only becomes complete after the interview.

I'm guessing it's a letter of recommendation

I just finished my Skype interview with James Frick 10 minutes ago. He called me at 10 am. EST right on the dot.
He started with casual conversion about my day, the weather, etc.
The questions (not in this exact order, but this is as far as I can remember). The whole interview was very more conversational, more like a dialogue. No grilling.

1. resume walk through
2. why MBA/why now
3. why consulting (which is my career goal)
4. why Tepper
5. what kind of leadership do I value
6. how do I evaluate myself in that said leadership attribute
7. how can my leadership quality contribute to Tepper
8. what challenges do I face at work
9. how do I manage that, What kind of strategy do I have?
10. How do I always 'hit the ground running'? what is the 'best-practice' for me. (I think this question was asked because I changed jobs 3 times in 2.5 years but I always performed very well)
11. what do I do when I have free time

Lastly, he asked whether there was anything I wanted to ask him.

That is pretty much all I can think of.

Hi,
Someone has asked earlier "what makes or breaks the deal for those interviewed, given the high percentage of candidates interviewed?

The views below are my own personal views. However, I do hope that they shed light on the matter for people who have applied for round 2.

I felt that CMU cares about 2 points: 1) commitment to attend to CMU if admitted, and 2) likability.

1) CMU knows that it is a borderline top 15 school. Thus, the school's yield is lower that it would like to see. Also, Pittsburgh is - ahem - not one of the most glamorous locations. The winter there is harsh, and the city is relatively unknown.

You should give very specific reasons WHY CMU stands out as the best program for you. People with engineering background will have an easier time to explain their fit, but remember: as many as 50 % of admitted students come from an engineering background. You should buttress your preference beyond your background, to distinguish yourself.

2) Likability.

Given the high percentage of the engineering candidates, the most prevalent "personality flaw" is that candidates lack smooth, well rounded social skills. I am not saying this is correct - I am just pointing out a generic (mis)conception that is prevalent.

You would like to show that you are an active, engaging, and likable person to overcome this generic stereotype, especially if you are from engineering background.

To give a concrete example, let's assume that you have won the Nobel prize in Physics. You think that this is a very impressive achievement, that should lead you to be accepted almost automatically. Not so fast.

If you tell the adcom that "well, my biggest achievement is the Nobel Prize in Physics" and remain mum for the rest of the interview, the adcom may not be as impressed as you thought they would. Why? because this kind of behavior just reinforces the stereotype that engineers (or scientists) are brilliant but not social.

Instead, the adcom will be more impressed if you tell them a story that you are a keen mountain climber and that you led a group of teenagers to climb the Everest last summer.

Then, at the end of the story, you add "while seeing the sunrise, I realized the major flaw in the current quantum physics. After going back home, I wrote the thesis that lead me to win the Nobel prise in physics!"

Admittedly, the above example is somewhat extreme. However, I do hope that it delivers the messages I had in mind, that I believe are important to succeed in CMU interview.

Good luck to all!

hahahha...I wish!! No offense taken

congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I submitted in the morning so I didn't check. Don't waste time on that, I'll find out and PM you.