luckytown2010 wrote:
I've been lurking on this thread for a long time, planning on posting once I had some good news. I've pretty much been waitlisted across the board, so I thought I would share my story and see if you have any advice. I really appreciate the supportive GMAT club community, even though I haven't yet shown it. You guys have gotten me through some difficult times without even knowing it - so thanks, I owe you.
GMAT score: 760
Work Experience : 3 years
Location : NYC
#Applications : 6
#Dings : 1
#Interviews : 3
#WL : 3 (Columbia, NYU, Yale)
Which ding hurt the most and why?
I've only been dinged at Stanford and it didn't really affect me very much. I knew Stan was a longshot to begin with, and I gave up long ago when I didn't receive an interview. The waitlist at NYU really stung because I was fairly confident that I would be accepted there - I guess there's still a chance!
What next?
My profile is unlike anyone's I've seen on these boards or others. I've been in PR for three years, the first year at an agency and the last 2 at a hospital. I am seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the implications of the healthcare issues I deal with on a daily basis and land a strategy position either as a member of a healthcare team at a MC firm or an internal position at a healthcare organization. I've applied mostly to schools with strong MPH programs as well, with the intention of adding the joint degree once admitted. Ultimately, I'm hoping to specialize in crisis management (one of my main communications functions as a hospital spokeswoman).
I'm currently taking Accounting at NYU and microeconomics online (Berkeley extension). I'll submit those grades and visit a healthcare class at Columbia in 2 weeks. And then there's the waiting, as if we haven't done enough already...
I am also planning on applying to a top-ranked, part-time MPH program that my employer will sponsor. I am young (24) and believe I could benefit from this program and gain some skills that will make me more marketable in the future - especially if I decide to reapply. The recruiters at the school of public health, though I won't have as much involvement with recruiting as a part-time student, are actually a better fit for what I want to do post-grad. So, I'm questioning whether I need an MBA at all (thoughts?). I sometimes think that a program that is more learning-centric than career-centric might be a better fit, and they take the GMAT in lieu of the GRE, so my accomplishment there doesn't go to waste
Of course, I'll still fight to get off the waitlists! And I have yet to hear from Haas (MBA/MPH) and Gtown (both R3).
Why the lack of success?
I think a combination of youth/inexperience + lack of quantitative background/quantitative job + atypical b-school candidate make me a wild card. Also, following the advice of Garrison Keiller a little too closely:
"Tim Russell: Learn something practical — something that gives you job skills and leads to a career — English!!! Why not get a business degree? What are you going to do with a B.A. in English?
GK: Live. Have a life. That's what."
Hey Luckytown, this is like deja vu.
My profile is pretty 'wildcard-y" too..
GMAT Score: 730
Indian, male, 30
Non-engineer.
7 years experience in India and HK.
Apps: 5 (HBS, W, Stanford, Kellogg, MIT)
Interviews: 2
I'm a copywriter - a creative person in an ad agency. Make ad films. Want to get into Strat Consulting.
Which ding hurt the most?
All of them! Think I wrote very interesting essays.
But especially Wharton. Had a great interview. Was told I was the most original interviewee she had met. A blue sky thinker, in fact.
What next?
After the process, I'm wiser for it. Wharton seems the best fit for me. Hopefully as a reapplicant I might have a better chance in R1 this year. Have to pump up my ECs.
Reason for lack of success:
My age, maybe. Older applicats seem to have it tougher this year.
My switch from a non-quant and lateral stream like Creative advertising into something like Strat Consulting may've been a bridge too far (you think?). Maybe I didn't make the connection too well.
I think with the economic and job market as frail as it is today, most b-schools have played it slightly safe and gone for candidates with maximum chances of getting recruited by companies.
close
07 Apr 2008, 06:36
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