1) What schools are on your list right now? Columbia, Stern, basically any (or all
) good schools in or around Manhattan as I am well settled here and have lived/worked here for almost a decade. I am considering applying to Yale, HBS, Wharton (like everyone else) but am very reluctant to leave my entire life here in NYC for a few years. This makes me very nervous
My fallback option for school is Baruch / Fordham - both of which are still very highly competative. Getting in won't be cake walk.
2) What is the state of your current preparations? Taking the GMAT either in August or December (depending on a couple of things). Starting a mentoring program at a few churches here in NYC.
3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point? I have held a senior position with a large governmental non-profit agency here in Manhattan since 2000. Although this is stable and can have this job for life, I do not see myself progressing in my career due to unforseen factors (read: corruption / nepotism) . Therefore, I am looking to jump ship and feel that pursuing higher education will help my chances. If I get into Columbia or Stern, I will be pursuing a joint MBA and JD degree. My current job is stable, pay is good and I am well settled, however I feel this internal "need" to change. I feel like I can do much better in my life and can prove my ability by going through higher education.
Another scary thing - my academic record. I have gone through a lot of hardships (parents nearly killed in car accident) during my school years and this along with working fulltime (40-60hr weeks) definitely affected my concentration in school. My GPA is super low, transcript has a fewC's and D's, a couple of F's.... but my professional work experience and career progression has been absolutely stellar. Along with my job, I started a real estate company and we have had sales of about $20M going back a couple of years. I think my entire application is strong ASIDE from my transcripts and academic record. anyway, only time (or adcoms) can tell what is going to happen.
4) How serious is your pursuit at this point? Quite serious. I (like many people) feel under utilized at my job and feel I am capable of much more. I am taking the GMAT this year and currently going through a heavy load of preparation. I am serious about getting into business school but really weighing my choices:
- quit work, go to Columbia or Stern (assuming I get in
) or Baruch for joint MBA + JD
- quit work, move out of NYC for a few years (I can not imagine this!) to attend an out-of-state Ivy
At the same time, everyone is wondering if I'm crazy by wanthing to leave such a stable and "well" paying job to go back to school and *hope* to get something better...
This is more or less a decision I am going to base on my current lifestyle as opposed to finances/etc. I give much respect to people who go to other countries to pursue education. That's dedication.