Stretch schools : Ask Admission Consultants

Stretch schools

Oldest

Best Reply

Author

Message

Intern

Joined: 28 Feb 2011

Posts: 10

Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 0

Stretch schools [#permalink]

28 Apr 2011, 21:32

Hi guys,

when candidates range down the school list, people always say "stretch" schools, "Competitive" Schools and etc.

what does "Stretch" school mean exactly?

Does it mean "very little chance" of getting into? or it means "Achievable but not likely"?

quite confused on this concept. if stretch means impossible, why bother applying?

Admissions Consultant

Joined: 26 Dec 2008

Posts: 2314

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Followers: 61

Kudos [?]: 488 [1] , given: 0

Re: Stretch schools [#permalink]

29 Apr 2011, 00:48

This post received
KUDOS

What I mean by "stretch" is that even if you put in your best possible application, it's still unlikely you'll get in (or to put a positive spin on it - you still have a small shot). In other words, it's still entirely possible you could get in, but unlikely.

I still encourage people to apply to 1-2 "stretch" schools because you never know. But to go into the process with realistic expectations, and then to focus on "sweet spot" schools where with a solid application, you'll have a reasonable shot of getting in (without needing luck i.e. if you get dinged, consider it bad luck as opposed to bad execution on the application).

Ultimately, if given the choice between a stretch school vs a sweet spot school, you'd probably rather go to your stretch or "dream" school, but it's unlikely going to make a material impact over the course of your career because it still comes down to you as an individual -- there's a reversion to the mean for most people where their level of external success is mostly a function of their own individual efforts and individual luck (being at the right place at the right time).
_________________

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
http://www.mbaapply.com
Follow me on Facebook

Senior Manager

Joined: 21 Jul 2010

Posts: 272

Followers: 7

Kudos [?]: 27 [0], given: 17

Re: Stretch schools [#permalink]

06 May 2011, 11:13

ive heard it as (top is least likely to admit):

Dream 5%
Stretch 25%
Target 75%
Safety 95%

Not that there is any rule or hard %ages, but thats usually the range at which people throw those words out.

Re: Stretch schools [#permalink] 06 May 2011, 11:13

	Similar topics	Author	Replies	Last post
Similar Topics:	What are some realistic safety/stretch schools???	stazcar	3	05 Jul 2006, 12:19
	Help Identifying What is Stretch	sanka	2	29 Oct 2010, 04:59
	Final Stretch	ibbys	1	10 Feb 2011, 21:54
	The strategy of the stretch school	mbain2012a	3	12 Jul 2011, 10:22
	Is Emory a stretch?	casaudom99	3	08 Sep 2011, 09:49

Stretch schools

Moderator: Zatarra

Main navigation

GMAT Resources

Partners

MBA Resources

GMAT ® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council ® (GMAC ®). GMAT Club's website has not been reviewed or endorsed by GMAC.

GMAT Courses

Admissions Consulting

Stretch schools

Stretch schools

Main navigation

GMAT Resources

Partners

MBA Resources