Re-applying

Milind,

Usually reapplicants are asked an essay on what has happened since the time they applied last time to cover any new information. For other essays, you still have to fill them up in most cases although you have the option to use the same essays as last year. But if those essays did not get you in last time, they probably are not going to help you this time either.

I'd recommend that reach out to the school to request for a feedback, do a ding analysis to know what went wrong and start writing your essays afresh.

Good luck!

Hi Milind1125:
I just wanted to chime in here quickly. The most important thing you need to consider when reapplying is how "reapplicant friendly" a school is.

How can you tell how "friendly" a program may be?
look at the sophistication of the reapplicant essays and overall reapplication process. If the school only once you fill out one or two abbreviated essays, then you know that the program could hold an aversion to reapplicants. Also, look to see what they define as a reapplicant. Some schools may define a reapplicant as someone who has applied within the last two years. Other schools may define this as a three year period. Finally, some schools may not even have a reapplicant status -- such as Harvard. Long story short -- the way a school handles the reapplicant process tells you whether or not it is worth reapplying.

Additionally, you should know this. When you reapply, the most common course of action that the admissions committee will take is to look at this year's application and then -- if they like what they see this year -- open up last year's application and review that as well. They will be looking for discrepancies and inconsistencies, among other things. So if your goals are work experience radically changes, it could be a negative or positive. Specifically, this is why it is critically important for you to try and not deviate too much from last year's goals. However, if last year's goals were wacky, then you have to redefine logical and consistent goals this year. please note that you have to pay attention to the magnitude of this year's goals versus last year's. If the career direction articulated is too drastic, you could have a problem with the admissions committee reader. They will think -- "How is it that this individual now really knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives, when last year they did not have a clue?"

I hope my advice provides an additional layer of insight. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at MBA@amerasiaconsulting.com.

Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti