whitman wrote:
Yep.
I'm 28, did not use a consultant, did all of my applications the day they were due (I know...) on the R2 deadline, and am not desperate to go but pretty keen to make the jump, as I'm worried it will get more and more difficult to break away for a couple of years and to this. Thanks!
Pretty impressive job if you have been able to break into Top 20 with that kind of attitude and performance. Congratulations on getting into Anderson - it is a solid program. You could potentially do better (no guarantee) with a consultant who would whoop you into shape and help see a few things you may have missed, pushing you up into Top 10 potentially, but that depends on your profile, and factors you would not be able to control such as other applicants, competitive landscape, and being a part of a crowded background. I think Anderson is a worthy school but I feel MBA was not your front and center thought but something you were mildly interested in, I can see some regret/desire to do better and not seal your life at this point. It depends if you want to put the effort in. The value is there - it would eliminate the doubt and questioning of your destiny; another benefit could be a scholarship if you manage to impress folks more second time around though I see you have taken a shot with many schools already and I am not sure how it will look when you potentially try again next year, even if it is a much stronger story/message. By the way, 3.5 and 750 don't have a whole lot to do with admissions to the Top 10. Pretty much everyone has that to start, and if they don't, they probably have been a ruler of a country or a movie star or a navy seal.
Anyway, the value in applying further is: certainty in your head and potential scholarship money if you keep at it. If you are motivated enough, I would call a consultant today and see if they spend 30 mins or an hour with you and if they are crazy enough to potentially help you with R3 to Booth. It would be a lot of effort but the payback is pretty fast. They have more time at this time of the application season so they may take you on. I would just pick someone who seemed attractive to you and not bother with consultant selection - anyone we have reviewed
https://gmatclub.com/reviews/admissions_consultants/ will do a solid job though again, I don't know if anyone will take you so late before the deadline (perhaps call 2 of them - a large shop and a small one and see what they say in case one is too opportunistic). They will add quite a bit of value even if they say you should not apply this year, and chances for next year. if they suggest you should take Anderson perhaps (weakly suggest it), that is an indicator you should go for it and they don't think you have a strong case next year or in R3. If they are bullish on applying next year or in R3, then that means you have a chance
P.S. I have a similar personality and I won't give up until I know I did everything I could to fix/improve/enhance something, but once you are past the deadline, you should rest, enjoy, and embrace. Hope this was somewhat helpful rather than confusing.
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