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27 Oct 2014, 05:01
| FROM Pulling That MBA Trigger: Tick tock |
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As the nifty little countdown calendar to the right says, I have to wait for two more days to hear from Duke. I actually thought I’d be much more of a nervous wreck but surprisingly I’ve been pretty calm through all this. I think I was more stressed out during the whole interview invite waiting period. I guess with the practice that came from that, I’ve gotten much better at the waiting game. It’s actually scary to think that a decision made by an admissions committee comprising of 10-15 (I imagine) individuals can change lives, for better or for worse. Getting accepted to Duke would open up a whole new world of possibilities, but a rejection could mean that much better things lie ahead. I can imagine my life both ways! I’ve always believed that things happen for a reason. Having achieved a state of mental nirvana, I’m blissfully not thinking about the whole application process, at least until Wednesday. Depending on the outcome of that, I’ll have to get back to the grind of essay writing and form filling – and just for that reason alone, I sure as hell hope I get in. I don’t know how everyone applying to 7 or 8 schools does it. You guys have my undying respect.   
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27 Oct 2014, 08:01
| FROM Grant Me Admission: My Interview with Tuck |
Hey everyone, today I will be reviewing my interview with Tuck. As many of you already know, I applied to only Tuck last year, as I…
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27 Oct 2014, 11:01
FROM Naija MBA Gal: Return of the little red book and change of name 
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My little red book of ideas is back!!! As you probably know (if you’ve followed my story from the begining, you already know), I got to the interview stage with Booth i round 3 of the applications for the class of 2016. Affter that, things went south  So I am intent on preventing a […]
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28 Oct 2014, 05:01
| FROM Scott Duncan: The 25 Interview Questions I Am Preparing to Answer |
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With my Kellogg Interview behind me, and my MIT Sloan interview at the end of this week, interview practice is at the top of my priority list. By popular request and in no particular order, here are the interview questions that I am practicing:
Have you been asked any questions that aren’t on the list? Sign up and never miss a post Subscribe Now!  I value your privacy and would never spam you. Unsubscribe at any time. The post The 25 Interview Questions I Am Preparing to Answer appeared first on Scott Duncan. |
29 Oct 2014, 05:01
| FROM Naija MBA Gal: Minor Updates, practice questions & Interview with Accepted |
My Booth interview has been setup for next week Tuesday and my interviewer is not the famous Lady A that did my first interview. I realised I did not include that in my last post. I’m knee-deep into my preparations for the interview but it is a very slow process as I’m currently working an average of 12 […]
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29 Oct 2014, 11:01
| FROM Pulling That MBA Trigger: The result is in… |
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And I’m definitely not admitted to Fuqua. It was horrible waiting for a phone call that never came, but I’ve had a while for it to sink in and I’m okay. Slightly heart broken because everyone who’s read even part of this blog knows how much I loved Duke – but I’m still hopeful for better things to come. I’m not sure if I’ve been dinged completely or wait listed (they haven’t updated the web portal yet) but I want to move on. Part of me isn’t sure if I should you know? This decision has me wondering if I even have a shot of getting in anywhere that I actually want to get in. Hearing absolutely nothing from Yale hasn’t helped things either. I just don’t know anymore!  
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29 Oct 2014, 11:04
| FROM Pulling That MBA Trigger: The result is in… |
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And I’m definitely not admitted to Fuqua. It was horrible waiting for a phone call that never came, but I’ve had a while for it to sink in and I’m okay. Slightly heart broken because everyone who’s read even part of this blog knows how much I loved Duke – but I’m still hopeful for better things to come. I’m not sure if I’ve been dinged completely or wait listed (they haven’t updated the web portal yet) but I want to move on. Part of me isn’t sure if I should you know? This decision has me wondering if I even have a shot of getting in anywhere that I actually want to get in. Hearing absolutely nothing from Yale hasn’t helped things either. I just don’t know anymore!
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29 Oct 2014, 14:00
| FROM Coffee Beans And Tea Leaves: I am in…and I am going South! |
I got in! I got in! I got in! Got the Early Decision Admit to Fuqua and I am over the moon. Yes there were tears. I am done with is process and soooo ready to begin the next phase. I shall be back to writing more often once I feel more coherent but I […]
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29 Oct 2014, 14:04
| FROM Coffee Beans And Tea Leaves: I am in…and I am going South! |
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I got in! I got in! I got in! Got the Early Decision Admit to Fuqua and I am over the moon. Yes there were tears. I am done with is process and soooo ready to begin the next phase. I shall be back to writing more often once I feel more coherent but I […]
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29 Oct 2014, 14:08
| FROM Coffee Beans And Tea Leaves: I am in…and I am going South! |
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I got in! I got in! I got in! Got the Early Decision Admit to Fuqua and I am over the moon. Yes there were tears. I am done with is process and soooo ready to begin the next phase. I shall be back to writing more often once I feel more coherent but I […]
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31 Oct 2014, 02:01
| FROM TopDogMBA - A Reapplicant's Tail: I’m happy just to dance with you |
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Quick update from me… I had my first INSEAD alumni interview earlier this week with the second (and final!) one scheduled for tomorrow. I’ve been doing a lot of prep for the interviews this time around – not because I suck at interviews, but so my answers are precise and concise (I have a tendency to go off-message and ramble if I’m not sure of the answer – see more of my shortcomings here). Alumni interviews are a bit different too. INSEAD is known for its friendly and passionate alums, but don’t be fooled: you’re still there to impress, come across as a great fit, a nice guy (or gal) and they still have to fill in that feedback form. So, why not make their job easier for them!? I don’t have any great insight – the questions from my first interview were not difficult and are widely reported on sites like Accepted and GMAT Club – but I do recommend preparing with mock interviews to help get your thoughts in order (a consultant OK, but try your friends and business associates too). The other thing is to SMILE and be ENTHUSIASTIC. Last season I was so focused on my answers I was way too serious and gave quite a flat performance. Who would you rather have in your class – someone happy and enthusiastic or a sourpuss!? Also, Wharton sends out its interview invites today. For those of you who’ve been followingmy strategy, Wharton is my top choice so this is a big deal! It is also four months to the day that I hoped to quit my job and enroll in the Class of 2016 – I’m not sure how I will handle the disappointment a second time around. Hopefully it will not come to that! Anyway, to my fellow (re-)applicants, just keep breathing and have faith in your amazing abilities. You’ll be hearing from me again real soon!  
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31 Oct 2014, 03:01
| FROM Pulling That MBA Trigger: Now that the sting has worn off… |
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I’m considering a very difficult decision. Insanity maybe? I don’t know. I’m thinking about retaking the GMAT before Round 2 deadlines with a goal of scoring at least a 750 this time. I know my weakness: I’m a very young applicant. I have a great GPA, great extracurriculars, great work experience (quality wise) but my GMAT as a consultant told me is “average”. I’m pretty decent at taking standardised tests and I’m sure that with proper preparation I can beat the 710 I have. But I am worried about how I’m going to manage this with work, my startup, my volunteering work and actual applications. On the flip-side, having a really strong GMAT score could make me stand out and offset the damage I do to their admission statistics with my paltry work experience by increasing the average GMAT score. Now, another sign that I’m losing my mind is that I am considering applying to Booth in Round 2. Yep. You heard me right. A school that is ranked way above Duke and practically up there with H/S/W. Why you ask? Primarily because this: Chicago Booth Early Career Candidates …the Admissions Committee will bear in mind the applicant’s proximity to the college experience when considering factors such as leadership, supervision experience, and academic success. I found myself checking off everything on that list. BUT, and this is a huge but, the average age is still about 28 though with 4.5 years of work experience. Does that mean I’m reading too much into this whole pitch they have for early career candidates? Well apart from this, I like the fact that the program is extremely analytical and personalized, and they have a great focus on entrepreneurship and non-conformity. I am still debating this internally, but I must admit a 750 would make me feel a little better about applying here. NaijaMBAGal, any insights?  Other than that, I’m still deliberating my list. Cornell Johnson is definitely in there and I’m debating between Ross and maybe UCLA (didn’t think I’d want to be on the West Coast, but oh well). So if not this year, then what? I’m going to rethink my job situation and work towards getting into a top 10 school next year. Until then, decisions decisions.  
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31 Oct 2014, 14:00
| FROM TopDogMBA - A Reapplicant's Tail: I want to tell you …Wharton interview invite! |
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Yes Yes YES!!! I’m very excited to be able to post this great bit of news after a nervous day of inbox refreshing (don’t we all know that feeling by now!?). Still some work to do but feels good to be back in the running at my top choice b school. Congratulations to my fellow invitees And commiserations to anyone who didn’t get the news they were hoping for today – I know that feeling too!  
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31 Oct 2014, 15:01
| FROM Naija MBA Gal: Bad News from Wharton |
So, I woke up from the flu I was nursing to find out I got a ding from Wharton. That was a shocker, I was fairly certain I would get in. On to Booth interview prep and waiting for Stanford + Sloan. I’ll update this post tomorrow. 
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01 Nov 2014, 10:00
| FROM Grant Me Admission: TheEngineerMBA Update: Still no word from MIT or Stanford |
MIT’s idea of a joke. We will get along fine. Hi guys, just checking in with business school application progress. I am preparing to head out…
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01 Nov 2014, 11:00
| FROM MBA on my Mind: C’est la vie. |
 I feel ya, simon. I just got back from a trouble shooting mission from one of my projects. So, yes I didn’t give my GMAT on the 31st of October, I’ll have to reschedule it, AGAIN. I had myself a good cry yesterday, because I just CANNOT catch a break with this test. I regret not taking it earlier this year :/. Anyway, I’ll be booking my new date soon, mostly November end or the first week of December! I will have to make this work. After a good few hours of lolling about in the cesspit of negativity brought on by all this sudden travel, being in a state of despondency over the test and oh did I mention I’ve been moving offices these past 2 weeks, I forced myself to snap out of it (After having the aforementioned good cry, of course) and revisit the bigger picture. I feel like an idiot for getting so emotional over a gorram test. I am a firm believer of the notion that – ‘Everything happens for a reason’, so these delays in taking the test have happened because there’s a bigger plan in motion (I hope!). Now that my head is clear, I realize that I love my job, I love it to bits and I am convinced more than ever that the need for an MBA is supreme. I just have to figure out a way to balance these two rather demanding creatures with sangfroid and control. I have the tendency to scour Youtube for inspirational TEDTalks when I am out of juice… so yesterday (After having the aforementioned good cry) I stumbled upon this TEDx talk by Kiran Gandhi, and felt like I should share it with ya’ll. I have HUGE girl crush on her, she is such an inspiration. So, here’s her story she is a 25 year old MBA student at Harvard Business School (that’s right) and when she is not prepping for her case studies at school, she is on freaking tour with M.I.A. as her drummer, AMONG other things!! Like WOW. And she lives by this theory called Atomic Living. You gotta watch this video to understand it. Her talk inspired me to look at coincidences (troubleshooting assignment, in my case) in a positive light, because all of them stem from whatever you are passionate about. It made perfect sense to me. I will keep you guys posted on when my test is slated for. Apart from the test, everything else application-wise are looking good. Recommendation forms will be going out soon. I am gearing up for round 2! I will be adding 2 more schools to my Tally board, and it looks like Darden is going to be one of them! PS: 1008557987 points for those of you who spotted the ‘firefly’ references!  
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01 Nov 2014, 16:00
| FROM My MBA Journey: Game Plan |
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Well, I have decided to wait to apply until next year. Pursuing an MBA is a life changing decision and clearly I wasn’t ready for it. This journey is an extensive process that requires enough time for adequate preparation. Applying next year (to begin the program in Fall 2015) will give me enough time to prepare the best application possible and also prepare myself for this life change. So I’m taking a step back and preparing my game plan. Studying I need to keep studying regularly, although I do plan to increase my study cadence prior to taking the test. Right now I want to focus on finding the right fit, comprising my essays, and working on my career growth. I do want to keep studying to stay fresh, but the majority of my studying will be done closer to my test date. Once I get closer to the date my goal is to study twice during the week for at least two hours each day and then also on Saturdays and Sundays for 4-6 hours each day. Research I have done quite a bit of research so far about MBA degrees and programs. However, there’s no such thing as having too much information. I have mostly been reading articles and reviewing program websites. I bought a few MBA guides and books that I need to start reading. The next one on my list is “The Complete MBA Admissions Guide.” I’ll let you know how it is! Visits Although research is important, there’s no comparison to actually visiting the college and town you are interested in. I want to make the effort to visit at least most of my top schools. If I cannot visit the school, I at least want to attend panel sessions, MBA tours, offsite events, and online webinars. I can research all I want, but actually speaking to representatives or students from these programs will give me the best insight to determine which program is best for me. Essays Essays help make the application come alive. Resumes and test scores are somewhat standard, but essays can really help to let your personality and individuality shine. Aside from the interview, I am the least worried about this portion of my application. I still plan to start early and dedicate a lot of time toward my essays. Career Having extra time before beginning an MBA program gives me time to mature and grow within my career. I have been very fortunate to experience numerous opportunities throughout my career to grow. However, career growth is a continuous process. It’s my goal to expand my skill set outside of my current industry before beginning an MBA program. I’ve mainly worked in automotive social media industry. In the future if I pursue a leadership position, I might be overseeing various departments. Having background in multiple industries would help me be a better manager. Although I wish I would have been ready to apply this year, I’m not disappointed, but instead I’m excited. I have a plan and can take the time I need to prepare for the next journey in my life.   
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02 Nov 2014, 13:01
| FROM Grant Me Admission: TheEngineerMBA Profile |
I have decided to share a short bit about my profile after repeated requests from various others in the business school blogosphere. Work: By matriculation I…
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02 Nov 2014, 15:00
| FROM My MBA Journey: Little Wins |
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After consistently working so hard, it’s nice to celebrate the little wins. Unfortunately I took some “time off” and hadn’t been studying regularly for a couple months from June to August. Those are the only months in Michigan when it’s actually nice outside and I took an extended summer vacation. I have been trying to get back at it and study frequently over the past few weeks. I decided to take a practice test today although I knew I wasn’t ready for it. I wanted to gauge to see how of the material I had forgotten. To my surprise I did better than expected. I took an official GMAT practice test and scored a 620. Although this is far from my 680-700 goal, it still was a bit better than expected. Of course in the IR I scored pretty well in the 81st percentile. For some reason I always do well in the sections that don’t matter as much. In the Quan section I was in the 61st percentile and in Verbal I scored within the 67th percentile. Overall I was in the 69th percentile. They say to get into a top school you must be at least within the 60% percentile in both areas, but they hope you to be 80 and 80 within both. What I was most happy about is that I reviewed the incorrect answers and didn’t see many that surprised me. There were times during the test when I knew I would not be able to get the answer. I was either unfamiliar with the type of problem or forgot relevant formulas needed to solve the problem. I didn’t waste time and made a quick strategic guess on these problems. For Quan, every problem I got wrong was a problem I guessed on. I got a few problems correct that I had guessed on as well. There’s a probability factor that helps when guessing. On the Verbal section, there were a few problems I was surprised I got wrong. I answered quite a few of the reading comprehension problems wrong. Generally, I perform a bit stronger in the verbal section than the quan section. I need to take a look at the Manhattan Navigator tool I use to track my strengths and weaknesses. I could be under-performing on these questions, or maybe it was a bit of a fluke. I often notice I try to rush during the reading comprehension sections. It feels like I take so much time on these problems and I don’t want to get behind. But what I need to remember is that these sections will take longer. It’s suggested to spend about 3 minutes reading and taking notes for a long passage. For each of the questions, you should generally spend 60-90 seconds. This is why the recommended time schedule for the verbal section is a bit more undefined than the quan table. If you have most of the reading comp questions earlier on in the test, it might look like you’re behind on time. Or if you don’t have many reading comp questions early on and are exactly on time, you might end up being behind if you didn’t give yourself some extra wiggle room to use in those sections. For reference, when I have been mentioning that I am “guessing on problems” I really mean I am taking a strategic guess. I might solve part of the problem and narrow down the answers. Or at times I use estimation to help determine the answer. If possible, it’s better to not take a random guess. If you are running out of time though, it is better to take a random guess rather than leaving an answer blank. I recommended reviewing some free materials about strategically guessing on the Manhattan GMAT website. Good luck!  
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03 Nov 2014, 09:01
| FROM Grant Me Admission: My Interview with Kellogg |
Hey everyone, today I will be reviewing my interview with Kellogg. As many of you already know, I applied to only Tuck last year, as I…
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Hi Generic [Bot],
Here are updates for you:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024 11:30am NY / 3:30pm London / 9pm Mumbai Watch earlier episodes of DI series below EP1: 6 Hardest Two-Part Analysis Questions EP2: 5 Hardest Graphical Interpretation Questions  ➡️ Sayali narrates her experience of succeeding on the GMAT after 4 attempts & 2 years of preparations with 32 percentile improvement on GMAT verbal.
Tuck at Dartmouth
AGSM at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
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