2017 Application Strategy - Class of 2019

Question

So I am obviously awhile away from applying to B-school but have been considering different application strategies. I want to go to a top 10 B-school, otherwise, I will stay with my current company. I will be visiting most of these schools before applying to get a sense of culture, fit, interests, etc. So the list may change.

Is this strategy realistic?

1. Apply EA to Tuck and ED to Columbia
 - My main question here, is this allowed?

2. Apply to 8 schools: Tuck/CBS, HBS/Sloan/Fuqua/Yale SOM, Kellogg/Booth/Haas/Johnson (still debating this order)
 - Is this too many? 2 Early, 3/4 Round 1, 2/3 Round 2

dtse86 · Answer

Regarding question number 1:
I believe this is allowed. From my understanding Tuck's EA is non-binding while Columbia's is. Therefore you can apply to both, however if you get into CBS ED, you need to withdraw from Tuck.

Regarding question number 2:
I don't think 8 schools is too many. I personally applied to 6 and thought about doing more. It all depends on the amount of effort you want to put in (it does take a decent amount of time crafting an entire cohesive application) and money you want to spend (application fees can start to add up). You also need to consider your recommenders, who will likely have to write at least one for each school, but if you give them a heads-up when you ask they can give you a good idea whether or not they're up for the work.

It seems like you have a decent plan, I'm assuming that you won't apply to the schools in the later rounds if you get into at least one in the earlier rounds? I applied to all of my schools in the earliest rounds possible because I knew for all of them, if I got in I would go and as a borderline applicant for all of them, I figured the earliest rounds would give me the best chance of an admit. Another advantage of applying earlier is that they also haven't given out any scholarship money yet (if you know you are a competitive applicant, chances of obtaining a scholarship are likely higher in the earlier rounds).

Anyways, you seem to have a sound strategy. :gl

with the school visits and the apps!

with the school visits and the apps!

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

If you plan to apply to that many schools, be sure to start your applications early to give yourself enough time. I work with clients who apply to that many (and sometimes more) schools, though that is above the average. The reason most people apply to fewer schools is the process takes a lot of time and competition is tough. You are better off submitting five applications that are 100% than eight applications that are 95%. That said, if you start early enough and do your homework, the additional schools will give you more options so its not a bad idea at all!

Plus if you play your cards right, you could get in somewhere great in round one and not have to hit submit on the applications for round two (though you should draft them anyway so they are not rushed in case you do send them in)

Scott Edinburgh - Personal MBA Coach

Plus if you play your cards right, you could get in somewhere great in round one and not have to hit submit on the applications for round two (though you should draft them anyway so they are not rushed in case you do send them in)

Scott Edinburgh - Personal MBA Coach

trustmeimanengineer · Answer

Thanks for the replies!

Another question. Has anyone gone and visited a large number of schools? I am from the Midwest and have only visited Chicago and NY.

My plans on visiting are as follows, 1 day per school:

NY & Hanover - CBS, Johnson, Yale SOM
Boston - Sloan, HBS
Chicago - Kellogg, Booth
California - Haas, Anderson (maybe)

Any advice? Or tips? As I said earlier, I want to go to a top 10/reputable school only. Thanks.

Another question that I have been meaning to ask is where does everyone get so man rec letters from? My plan:
1. My current Manager, if I still work for him when I apply
2. Director of my engineering school for my BS/MS (current)
3. Possibly the president of a university (well known and respected) but I have only had a few interactions with him. My mom works for him and he knows all about my work ethic/accomplishments.

Should I choose the #3 for a rec letter? He is associated with the UN and travels extensively across the world BUT he is a president of a university that I never attended/know mostly secondhand?

dtse86 · Answer

Big trip! I've been in the Northeast my entire life, so I can give you an idea around geography for a trip for those schools. If you want to work from the South (Can also be done in the opposite direction): I'd start with Philadelphia and Wharton. It's only about 2 hours south of NYC and if you're targeting top 10, you're gonna want to check out Wharton In NYC you have CBS and Stern. I noticed Stern wasn't on your list, but if you're looking to work in finance post-MBA then Stern is still a great school. It occasionally finds itself in the top 10 in many rankings. Both CBS and Stern are easily accessible via NYC Subway and getting both visits in one day should be possible if you're not distracted by the million other things you can do in NYC

From there you can work your way towards Boston via New Haven and visit Yale SOM. New Haven is only about an hour and a half outside of NYC (disclaimer: without traffic :roll:

). In Boston/Cambridge, you've got Sloan and HBS which are very close to each other. HBS is actually in Allston just across the Charles River but it's still very close and a nice walk if you have the time and the weather is nice. If not you can take the T (red line) from Kendall Square/MIT two stops to Harvard Square and walk across the river or vice versa. Going North from Boston will get you into NH and in 2 hours you can find yourself in Hanover to visit Tuck. There isn't much else out there except the outdoors and if you enjoy hiking or skiing, that'll be the place to be (depending on the season). Hanover is on the border between VT and NH and so if you want to explore VT you can. If you continue further North you can find your way to the White Mountains which has a lot of fun hikes and a few ski areas like Waterville Valley. If you have some time to venture off the beaten path, Mt. Monadnock is a very popular hike or Lake Winnepesake isn't too far out of the way (where the Romneys vacation). With all that being said, Cornell Johnson was kinda left out because it is way out of the way from all of those other schools. It's 4 hours northeast from NYC and about 6 hours west of Boston. It's a great school and a great place, but just really out of the way if you want to tie in a bunch of schools in one visit. I'd suggest making Ithaca a separate trip if you really want to check it out. The finger lakes region is beautiful in the summer and they're actually quite well known for their wine (can do a wine tour

!). It's also only about 3 hours from Buffalo and so if you want to check out Niagara falls that's possible. In general each city and school has its pro's and con's. I'd suggest that if you have some time to check out the area a bit as well. Center City is nice in Philadelphia, NYC has a million things that you can do and see, Boston's a great town with a lot of history, and Hanover/Ithaca have a lot of great outdoor activities available. If you want any ideas or have any questions about these areas let me know (PM me)! I've pretty much lived in all of the aforementioned cities at some point in my life with the exception of Philadelphia and New Haven (although I've done many of trips there).

dtse86 · Answer

Numbers 1 & 2 sound solid.

Regarding #3:
IMHO, it's not worth seeking a recommendation from him. Especially if you've only had very minor interactions with him. It's not worth seeking recommendations from someone just because of their position and title. It won't impress the adcom unless he can describe specific situations or give anecdotes regarding your work. A recommendation from him would likely be generic and although glowing, won't be providing the adcom with the most accurate picture of who you are as a leader and team player. I'd suggest sticking with recommendations from #1 & #2. If you need more recommendations then you can seek them from a supervisor from an extra-curricular activity of yours or perhaps a client. Sometimes those types of recommendations can give the adcom even more information about you that might get cut out in the essays or resume due to length restrictions. For instance, a recommendation from a supervisor in an extra-curricular activity could indicate that you're actually deeply involved with something or truly passionate about a specific initiative (which can also tie into professional goals) or a recommendation from a client can show that you have the professional and social capability to build meaningful relationships which can be critical in business.

mbaspire · Answer

MBA would be a total role reversal for me and have yet not taken the GMAT as well. Started seriously preparing for the GMAT since the past week, but I don't think I can study much during the weekdays (may be barely 4 hours for the entire span of Monday to Thursday). I took a test day in 3rd week of April, do not know if I can make it. My baseline score is 60 lower than my target score overall, 2 less in Quant and 8 less in Verbal.

As far as application strategy is concerned will think over that once I get at least 20 points closer to my target score. I just hope it turns out well!

As far as application strategy is concerned will think over that once I get at least 20 points closer to my target score. I just hope it turns out well!

mbaspire · Answer

Wow, you are touring since 2015? Isn't that insanely early? :oops:

I think at the most I can make it to 2 cities...

MihirRR26 · Answer

Hi,

I am from India and planning to pursue MBA from US B-schools. I intend to apply to MIT-LGO, Darden, UCLA-Anderson, Kenan-Flagler, and Kelly for the class of 2019.

I have couple of questions ( may sound be bit repetitive) for which I would like to seek the group's advice.

1. With close to 10 years of work experience, do I fit into the work ex. bracket of a 2 year MBA class specially the schools I am focusing on.

2. A follow up question, I will turn 34 by the time I matriculate into an MBA class, How would be my fit w.r.t age for the schools of my choice.

3. What is % of students in MBA class with spouse for the above specified schools

4. I have read that most of the schools refuse admits to students already holding an MBA degree. I hold a Post Graduate Executive Management Program(PGEMP) (21 months modular completed while working), is PGEMP equivalent to MBA ?, what are my chances given this case, am I eligible for applying or a straight forward reject.

5. In case PGEMP is equivalent to an MBA. Can anyone help me with the list B-schools who take students for an 2nd MBA.

Your response would be much appreciated.

Thanks a ton in advance!

Regards,
Mihir R.

aerien · Answer

Hey Mihir,
Thanks for posting! It might be easier to get responses to your specific questions if you post this in a new thread, instead of adding on to @trustmeimanengineer's questions. Don't want your answers getting lost in the mix of planning a full East Coast MBA tour!

aerien · Answer

Hey, some people are planners. IMO, if you have the means to visit and can take the time off to do it, visit visit visit. It will help you tremendously when narrowing down your list of schools to apply to and hopefully you'll come away with tangible reasons for why you want to attend each school specifically to add some color to your essays and your interviews.

I've visited most of these schools (granted, I'll admit, not all pre-MBA application), but they all have their own unique environments which you'll only get a chance at seeing by being there -- not by going to an information session at a hotel near your office or by talking to an alum or a student on the phone.

kakarot13 · Answer

Hi ,

I am from Indian and planning to pursue MBA from US . 
I have a work experience of 5 years in the Software Industry . 
I am new to this process and wanted opinion on the below .
I wanted to know more about the HBS application process , as how to build my profile and highlight my achievements . 
What are main points to take care about in the Essay ?
Who are eligible for the providing the recommendations ?

2017 Application Strategy - Class of 2019

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