NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 23 Apr 2024, 12:19 It is currently 23 Apr 2024, 12:19
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

making the list

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
User avatar
isa
Current Student
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1687
Own Kudos [?]: 222 [0]
Given Kudos: 31
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy, MC
Schools:Kellogg '11
Send PM
making the list [#permalink] New post   12 Apr 2008, 15:10
Hi folks,

I'm planning on applying this fall for admission in fall 2009. If I get dinged everywhere, then will definitely try again for Fall ’10. I was hoping to pick your collective brain for input into the types of schools I should be looking at – my current list is far too long even for me! I’d ideally like it have the list down to about 8 schools. I’d also like to get as many of my apps in for R1 as possible….

My profile:
Profile: Indian female, grew up in US.
Age 23 (will be 24 at time of matriculation in fall 09)

Academics
GMAT: 760
GPA: 3.15 overall, 3.5/3.7 respectively for majors (double in political science and international relations; studied abroad in England) from Boston U. Graduated college in 3 yrs on academic scholarship.

Activities and Achievements in college
- Committee chair, student government
- Class secretary, student government
- Member debate society

Summer jobs:
- Research Associate at two prominent non-profit research consulting firms for 3 summers

Current Position: Application Lead/Project Manager at Healthcare IT firm (ranked leader in industry, competes with Siemens/Cerner/etc); have 4 direct reports; work on two customers where am lead manager/consultant for product implementation; specialize in change management/execution/system and idea adoption. I have worked there for 2.5 years, had 2 promotions since starting; 3 pay raises. Position has considerable responsibility/accountability with 85% travel within US.

My career goals:
Am interested in pursuing either investment banking or entering the healthcare/pharma industry. (yes, IB is nothing related to what I do now but that’s a separate thread – stay tuned!) I'm also considering strategy consulting in the healthcare field, but I have to research this area more before I determine if it is for me.


So with all of that said, here’s the list of schools I’m interested in. I’d like to shorten it, fit it more to my own profile/goals. I’ll of course be doing my own research as a part of this process but wanted to toss this list out there for your input. If anyone has any advice for me, would love to hear it. I’m entirely open to location (within US, abroad), etc.

Well, here they are:

1. Chicago
2. Wharton
3. Kellogg
4. MIT
5. Columbia
6. Cornell
7. Tuck
8. Duke
9. NYU
11. UVA


From your experience, what do you think? Which schools should I add? Should I remove? Any int’l schools to add?
Thanks in advance for your help, :-D
Ac.
User avatar
agold
SVP
SVP
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Posts: 1579
Own Kudos [?]: 291 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Southern California
Concentration: Investment Banking
Schools:Chicago (dinged), Tuck (November), Columbia (RD)
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   12 Apr 2008, 16:32
ac8706 wrote:
Hi folks,

I'm planning on applying this fall for admission in fall 2009. If I get dinged everywhere, then will definitely try again for Fall ’10. I was hoping to pick your collective brain for input into the types of schools I should be looking at – my current list is far too long even for me! I’d ideally like it have the list down to about 8 schools. I’d also like to get as many of my apps in for R1 as possible….

My profile:
Profile: Indian female, grew up in US.
Age 23 (will be 24 at time of matriculation in fall 09)

Academics
GMAT: 760
GPA: 3.15 overall, 3.5/3.7 respectively for majors (double in political science and international relations; studied abroad in England) from Boston U. Graduated college in 3 yrs on academic scholarship.

Activities and Achievements in college
- Committee chair, student government
- Class secretary, student government
- Member debate society

Summer jobs:
- Research Associate at two prominent non-profit research consulting firms for 3 summers

Current Position: Application Lead/Project Manager at Healthcare IT firm (ranked leader in industry, competes with Siemens/Cerner/etc); have 4 direct reports; work on two customers where am lead manager/consultant for product implementation; specialize in change management/execution/system and idea adoption. I have worked there for 2.5 years, had 2 promotions since starting; 3 pay raises. Position has considerable responsibility/accountability with 85% travel within US.

My career goals:
Am interested in pursuing either investment banking or entering the healthcare/pharma industry. (yes, IB is nothing related to what I do now but that’s a separate thread – stay tuned!) I'm also considering strategy consulting in the healthcare field, but I have to research this area more before I determine if it is for me.


So with all of that said, here’s the list of schools I’m interested in. I’d like to shorten it, fit it more to my own profile/goals. I’ll of course be doing my own research as a part of this process but wanted to toss this list out there for your input. If anyone has any advice for me, would love to hear it. I’m entirely open to location (within US, abroad), etc.

Well, here they are:

1. Chicago
2. Wharton
3. Kellogg
4. MIT
5. Columbia
6. Cornell
7. Tuck
8. Duke
9. NYU
11. UVA


From your experience, what do you think? Which schools should I add? Should I remove? Any int’l schools to add?
Thanks in advance for your help, :-D
Ac.


Hey there,

If I was in your shoes, I would add to your initial list: UCLA, Berkeley, Michigan and I would remove: Cornell. This is just personal preference - I couldn't stand to live in the freezing cold of Ithaca in the middle of nowhere for 2 years. With that said, you're going to have a list of 12 schools. You will likely not be able to apply to 12 schools. What you really need to do is spend some time doing thorough research on all of these programs and what differentiates them from others. Additionally, you need to think about what kind of social environment you desire, and what city/geographic region you want to be in. Lastly, you need to visit a handful of these schools. Once you do this - I believe that you will have your list down to 5-7 schools and this is a lot more reasonable to work with.

I basically went through the same thing as you a couple of weeks ago. I am in the same boat - applying for Fall '09. I had a list of schools in the low teens, and now I have it down to 5-6. Check out my thread "Shortening my list".

Cheers.

EDIT: One last thing. With your age/gender and accomplishments/WE at such an early age - I would add HBS to your list as a reach.
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 698 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2008, 15:47
Hi there,

I would definitely add Haas to your list if you want to do healthcare, and now that Haas has much better connections in NYC for the finance/banking positions, I think it would be a good choice for you too. the DOWN side is that you're still a bit young for Haas, which generally has a slightly older population (average age is 27-28 instead of 26 at many schools). Stanford and HBS would probably be good reach schools due to your young age (they like younger applicants who have displayed good leadership).

With your list, I would remove Cornell, Tuck, and maybe UVA, as they're great schools, but for finance and healthcare they probably are not as strong as the other ones. I would strongly urge you to figure out whether it's IB or healthcare you want to do before you apply, otherwise the adcom will read your essays and think, "this person doesn't know what she wants to do", since those two fields are almost polar opposites to each other.

In no particular order:

For banking:
1. Chicago
2. Wharton
3. Columbia
4. NYU
5. HBS or Stanford (super reach)

For Healthcare
1. Kellogg
2. MIT
3. Haas
4. Stanford (super reach)
User avatar
isa
Current Student
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1687
Own Kudos [?]: 222 [0]
Given Kudos: 31
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy, MC
Schools:Kellogg '11
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2008, 18:16
Thank you all very much for your help!!
I think, Kryzak, you hit the nail on the head there: I still need to define more clearly what I want to do prior to the apps. I know that ultimately whatever I do, I would want it to be related to healthcare, so I'm going to pursue that line of thinking and define what I want.

I'll definitely look into Haas, Stanford, HBS as super-reaches...

Thanks again,
AC.
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 698 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   13 Apr 2008, 18:19
no problem AC, hope it was useful.

For Stanford, just be aware that the admit rate has dropped into the "near impossible" level for any applicant these days... so if you like their program, do your best on your application but keep in mind that it is crazy hard to get into. :)
User avatar
isa
Current Student
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1687
Own Kudos [?]: 222 [0]
Given Kudos: 31
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy, MC
Schools:Kellogg '11
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   03 May 2008, 16:03
Thanks again for your help! I've spent a bit of time thinking about what I want to do and why I want an MBA. And I think I have the nutshell explanation down:

I have 3 (will have 4 at matriculation) years of work experience in the healthcare IT field, working on the vendor side. I am currently a Clinical Lead and Application Manager. I’ve had great success in this field and I would like an MBA to help me reach my long term goal of starting up my own company in this field, creating products/ideas that can be implemented to improve healthcare in emerging markets.

Right now I know the product implementation, I know the industry. I need an MBA to help me gain the skills I need to create my own company.

Does this make sense to you all? And if so, which schools would you add to the list Kryzak ID'd below?

Quote:
For Healthcare
1. Kellogg
2. MIT
3. Haas
4. Stanford (super reach)


Duke?

thanks!! :)
AC.
User avatar
msday
Director
Director
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
Posts: 516
Own Kudos [?]: 64 [0]
Given Kudos: 28
Concentration: General Management
Schools:Harvard '11
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   03 May 2008, 16:25
ac, it looks like you have a great shot at your schools...i'm curious as to how you made the transition from poli sci/international relations to healthcare IT. Doesn't seem common to me (but maybe it is!)
User avatar
terry12
Current Student
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 313
Own Kudos [?]: 69 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Concentration: Healthcare
Schools:Attending Stanford
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   03 May 2008, 16:26
Definitely look at Wharton and Duke for healthcare... probably the two best-known healthcare MBA programs around. I wrote a post about Wharton's Healthcare Management program the other day, in response to a question from terp06. Feel free to ask any questions you might have. Duke's Health Sector Management program is also very well regarded, though I'm not as familiar with the specifics of that program.

Ac, if you stay in healthcare, do you have a feeling for exactly what you want to do? You indicated pharma and healthcare consulting, and you have a background in medical informatics. If those are the areas you're interested in, I would stick more with Wharton, Duke, Kellogg, and Haas (HBS as well, they're really pushing their Healthcare Initiative... a good friend of mine went to HBS and is doing very well in medical informatics). Sloan and Stanford would be great places to look if you're thinking more along smaller/early stage biotech and entrepreneurship. If you're unsure, then going the first route (Wharton, Duke, et al.) might be safer. You can do anything you want from any of these schools, of course... they're all great. But I think Stanford and Sloan are more geared toward earlier-stage and technology/biotech-related ventures.
User avatar
isa
Current Student
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1687
Own Kudos [?]: 222 [0]
Given Kudos: 31
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy, MC
Schools:Kellogg '11
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   03 May 2008, 17:28
Thank you very much Terry.
You know I'm not sure if I want to restrict myself to just early-stage startup/entrep so at this point, it'll probably be best to go a more general route. At this point, my ideal job would involve both medical informatics and emerging markets. Whether I would get there via the consulting route, the entrep option, or some combination - I'm not sure at this time.

I think my next steps are to really dig into what the various hc mgmt programs offer and see which are the best fit.

Thanks!
ac.
User avatar
riverripper
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 4307
Own Kudos [?]: 806 [0]
Given Kudos: 5
Location: Back in Chicago, IL
Concentration: General/Operations Management
Schools:Kellogg Alum: Class of 2010
 Q49  V42
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   03 May 2008, 17:48
Remember that even while top schools may not be considered the best in a specific field the brand and network at a top 5 school usually trumps specialty rankings. Specialty rankings are helpful when debating between two peer schools. Also I dont suggest choosing a school just because its the #1 in a specialty if you would really prefer the #2 or #3 school if they are on par.

Having a clear idea of what you want is good for essays, well you need to at least be able to convince adcoms you have a clear idea. Many people show up with an idea of field/industry but not really the specifics of what they want to do. If you end up at any top 10 school you will find a job in your desired field that you will enjoy. If you get into a top 5 then you really will have as many opportunities as you want to pursue. If you end up at Kellogg there will be more than enough IB jobs to chase. If you go to GSB there will be marketing jobs.

Might I be the squeaky wheel and suggest that if you arent sure what you really want to do that you wait and figure that out before you apply. Talking with a lot of students they seem to make it sound like you are incredibly crunched for time and people that run around chasing a million different career options really suffer due to that. Besides at your age another year of work will probably help you during recruiting and applying, especially if you increase your leadership responsibilities. Also if the economy turns around then application volume may drop again.
User avatar
isa
Current Student
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1687
Own Kudos [?]: 222 [0]
Given Kudos: 31
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy, MC
Schools:Kellogg '11
Send PM
Re: making the list [#permalink] New post   04 May 2008, 19:10
thanks river!! squeaky wheels are always welcome! no seriously, I am certain of the industry I want to be in post-MBA, now I just have to determine which role I want within the industry.

I think my problem is that I want to do everything and I want to do it now :)

I'm fairly confident that I will be able to clearly identify and articulate my goals in time for application this fall. Unless something life changing occurs during the MBA, that will be pretty much what I aim for in post-MBA life as well!

cheers,
ac.
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: making the list [#permalink]
04 May 2008, 19:10

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