ps_dahiya wrote:
I am yet to see one of your post (regarding admission process, chances and analysis) talking about "other things" such as geography, work experience, age etc.
Hmm, let's see if you have accurately categorized my posts.
Here's a post where I agree that Work Experience is probably the most important factor of all. As a bonus, I also talk about how each of the factors could have a greater or lesser impact based on applicant diversity:
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... ht=#292448
Here's an extended post where I talk about how each of the factors are extremely important, but that people need to be honest when assessing the factors in their application (I'll get back to this later in this message):
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... ht=#292077
Here's me talking extensively about how diversity and race affect the admissions process. Strangely, you responded that the analysis was good - but now you claim that I have never considered other factors? Curious.
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... ht=#288519
Here I post some thoughts about business school & location:
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... ht=#290513
Here's another post where I talk about how location figures into selectivity:
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... ht=#290489
In this here brief post, I talk a little about how some of my applications turned out better than others - you might say I analyzed a difference in essay quality and execution:
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... ht=#289447
Here's one where I spend the entire message talking about how age and work experience are major factors at some schools:
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... ht=#287220
I also recall posting, several times I believe, that I didn't apply to Harvard because of the age issue, and that I didn't apply to Kellogg because I probably don't have the do-gooder extracurricular stuff that they like.
Trust me, I have thought long and hard about all the various factors; but the simple fact is that it is impossible to do any type of analysis (especially with info gleaned from Admissions411.com) based on any of these factors. GMAT is the only thing that is reasonably useful to look at for comparison.
The reason that it is useful to talk about GMAT scores when comparing applicants is because it is a fixed data point; in fact it is really the only fixed data point worth considering. GPA? Well, what school was it from; how long since you graduated; any graduate work; what major; did you work; did you have other concerns; grade inflation? Age is a fixed data points that you could use to compare applicants, but how useful is it really? Work experience? Well, what company is it with; how many promotions; is 3 years better than 7; what industry; how much responsibility; how many people do you manage; etc? There's just no effective way (that I can think of) to analyze such data.
Don't even start with quality of essays or interviews. Here are some things (that I have said elsewhere and will repeat here) that everyone should consider:
1. It seems like 50-90% of people believe that they write stellar essays. The reality is that probably only 5-10% of people truly have that type of writing skill - by definition the great majority of people will be average. The concept that people can regularly overcome average or below-average scores through quality essays is a falsehood - because very few people are capable of producing essays that are truly distinguishing.
2. It seems like 80-100% of people believe they are great interviewers. Again, that's just not possible. The great majority will not help themselves (nor hurt themselves) in their interview because they will be average. Let's just say that great interviewers have instances in their personal histories that suggest that they will do well in this format; perhaps a great speaker, motivator or recruiter.
3. Almost 100% of people believe that they have distinguishing work experience. The simple fact is that, when compared to the admitted pool at top schools very few people will have distinguishing work experience and in fact, most people are unknowingly left wanting. Consider that the
average pre-mba salaries at Haas, Columbia, MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Kellogg, Chicago & Wharton range from $70-80k. Salary isn't everything, but it is one way that Adcoms will evaluate applicants.
4. Many applicants do not understand how much they are hurt by a lack of quality activities and extracurriculars. At the top schools, this can hurt a lot.
I am actually acutely aware of all of the factors that make up a good application. That's why, even though I have (as far as I know) the highest GMAT score of any GMATclubber this year, I'm still very nervous about my applications.
This isn't Lake Wobegon; this is real life and all the children are not above average.
09 Feb 2007, 23:09
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