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bsd_lover
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900 posts [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 26 Mar 2008, 16:29
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900 posts and I'm back to square one. Expended copious amounts of effort and money without the results that I was hoping for. On the upside, I've met some incredible people here at gmatclub and also at the Universities that I visited. I am more convinced than ever that b-school is the path forward for me; in many ways I'm more determined than ever as well.

I was naive this year. My best applications didn't turn up till R2. By then the competition got that much tougher. Not that its going to be any easier next year, but I feel that with enough effort I can do better. I draw inspiration from re applicants here on the forum - helg, nupur, DJM etc. who've all experienced the indignation of rejections and have come back stronger to get admitted to the school(s) of their dreams.

So what do I do next ? I can't really improve my professional profile too much, nor can I improve my extra-curriculars (not without them sounding very contrived). Here is what I will do :
- Retake the GMAT (around End of May / June period). Its one thing I can control and I will try my best to improve my score to 750.
- Rewrite my essays from scratch. My current essays are not bad, in fact I am sure I'll be able to reuse content from them. But I hope to access some admitted students' essays and analyse the X-factor that made those essays so successful and then incorporate what I learn into my own style.
- Reposition my aims and talk a lot more about the variety of my life experiences. I still don't think that my true self was on full display on these essays. I've got the best people to help me in this process at the club forums.
- Finish my essays by R1 next year. This is the best way to maximise my chances in what will be a very tough MBA admission year. Also, an early admit would mean that I can plan my life around the school as an international admit.

To those who have helped me this year, a big thank you !! You guys have been with me through thick and thin and I wish you the very best in your pursuit of a top MBA and your life goals thereafter. To the others who've shared disappointments this year, don't give up. Rejections and disappointments are part and parcel of life.

So here we go. Back to the drawing board. Back to where I started. Back to the GMAT forums. See you all in the b-school applications board in a couple of months when I start writing my next set of essays.

Originally posted by bsd_lover on 26 Mar 2008, 16:20.
Last edited by bsd_lover on 26 Mar 2008, 16:29, edited 1 time in total.
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aaudetat
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 16:27
good luck, man. you're way ahead of next year's game already. that can only bode well.
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 16:38
Good luck bsd_lover. And I hope you get off the WL from Stern and I meet you in the Fall in NYC.

Best!
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riverripper
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 16:49
If you apply to Kellogg next year, we got you covered BSD. Definitely check out GSB, Kellogg, Duke, and Ross...tons of love for clubbers from them.
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bsd_lover
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 16:49
Amen to that river - Kellog and GSB are definitely on my hitlist.
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Columbia08
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 16:55
bsd_lover wrote:
900 posts and I'm back to square one. Expended copious amounts of effort and money without the results that I was hoping for. On the upside, I've met some incredible people here at gmatclub and also at the Universities that I visited. I am more convinced than ever that b-school is the path forward for me; in many ways I'm more determined than ever as well.

I was naive this year. My best applications didn't turn up till R2. By then the competition got that much tougher. Not that its going to be any easier next year, but I feel that with enough effort I can do better. I draw inspiration from re applicants here on the forum - helg, nupur, DJM etc. who've all experienced the indignation of rejections and have come back stronger to get admitted to the school(s) of their dreams.

So what do I do next ? I can't really improve my professional profile too much, nor can I improve my extra-curriculars (not without them sounding very contrived). Here is what I will do :
- Retake the GMAT (around End of May / June period). Its one thing I can control and I will try my best to improve my score to 750.
- Rewrite my essays from scratch. My current essays are not bad, in fact I am sure I'll be able to reuse content from them. But I hope to access some admitted students' essays and analyse the X-factor that made those essays so successful and then incorporate what I learn into my own style.
- Reposition my aims and talk a lot more about the variety of my life experiences. I still don't think that my true self was on full display on these essays. I've got the best people to help me in this process at the club forums.
- Finish my essays by R1 next year. This is the best way to maximise my chances in what will be a very tough MBA admission year. Also, an early admit would mean that I can plan my life around the school as an international admit.

To those who have helped me this year, a big thank you !! You guys have been with me through thick and thin and I wish you the very best in your pursuit of a top MBA and your life goals thereafter. To the others who've shared disappointments this year, don't give up. Rejections and disappointments are part and parcel of life.

So here we go. Back to the drawing board. Back to where I started. Back to the GMAT forums. See you all in the b-school applications board in a couple of months when I start writing my next set of essays.


Hey bsd, my sentiments exactly. I guess I'll be seeing and interacting with you on the GMAT side of the forum!! What doesn't break you can only make you better right? I believe I will be a much better candidate for the next application cycle and it certainly is encouraging that I got interviews.
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 17:17
Hi Columbia - indeed. See you at the gmat forums :)
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msday
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 17:37
I feel for you bsd...no pain, no gain, I guess. I look forward to helping each other out for fall 09 admissions :)
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 19:13
BSD,
You have the right mentality. I can really see Stern accepting you if you get a 750+. If you do not get in off of the WL, however, you will do well with your early and thorough preparation for the R1 apps. You will get accepted to a school or multiple schools of your choice, and you will be able to coast for months into Fall '09; travelling, relaxing at work, enjoying the fruits of your labor. And the very last thing on your mind will be the dings and WL's from this year's apps.

But, I still hope you get into Stern this year...NYC baby!
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 19:26
All the best, bsd! You are definitely taking it very well. You have plenty of time to prepare yourself and your apps for R1 of fall 09. So tighten that belt!
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 20:08
bsd - i was really really pulling for you. i'm so sorry things didn't work out this time around. you have a large group of people behind you though, and when you're ready for applications, you can bet that a bunch of us will be ready to help. i admire your dedication and your resolve to see this through. you seem like a very genuine, smart, and determined person, and all of the schools would be lucky to have you. i have no doubt that this will happen for you, and you'll end up at the right place at the right time. be sure to call on us when the time comes!
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 21:54
Thanks guys. All this support confirms that I am doing the right thing. I have a second wait list at London Business School as well, however I am not holding my breath for either. However, I will send them a letter of intent in a couple of weeks. No looking back now, I've already ordered most of the Manhattan gmat series from Amazon :)
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2008, 23:42
bsd_lover wrote:
Thanks guys. All this support confirms that I am doing the right thing. I have a second wait list at London Business School as well, however I am not holding my breath for either. However, I will send them a letter of intent in a couple of weeks. No looking back now, I've already ordered most of the Manhattan gmat series from Amazon :)


BSD, I love your attitude and your thought process. As hard as rejections are, if you know B school is the next step for your career, its worth re-applying. I had written a fairly detailed post on the Wharton chain on what I did for my re-application, which might help you with your process.

In addition to all the suggestion in this thread, dont forget to get a feedback session. While its not very useful, it will be an additional data point. Start early and get done early. This way, you will get to enjoy almost 9 months before school starts next year!

Good Luck
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2008, 02:34
If you want to have a crack at International, i can help if you need it.
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catgmat
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2008, 03:54
bsd_lover wrote:
Thanks guys. All this support confirms that I am doing the right thing. I have a second wait list at London Business School as well, however I am not holding my breath for either. However, I will send them a letter of intent in a couple of weeks. No looking back now, I've already ordered most of the Manhattan gmat series from Amazon :)


Hey BSD,

Bad to hear that you have another waitlist and ding! However, we are both still in the race for LBS. I recommend to show LBS Adcom your interest as soon as possible, since waitlist review is on 16th April and this time R2 WL are in the same boat! hope that Adcom will really reconsider our applications after round3 in middle of June...they will probably not offer a seat for WL before that date!

Regarding your GMAT, I am not really sure, if this will dramatically increase your chances for next year, since you already have an impressive score. But I am not AdCom specialist, so why not to give a try?! Maybe community work would pay off better for US schools?

Lastly, INSEAD January09 intake would be still open for a try in the meantime....

cheers mate!
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2008, 07:22
bsd, I love your attitude, it is admirable.
For me, 1100+ posts and 3 straight dings left me thinking the same. I only have Columbia left, and I am not expecting much after my previous results. Good luck bud, and you will definitely see me in GMAT forums if I decide to reapply.
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2008, 07:45
mad props for such a positive attitude.. Not that I got into all the schools, I wanted to go to - I am more than happy to help in whichever way I can!
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ryguy904
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2008, 08:46
bsd_lover wrote:
Thanks guys. All this support confirms that I am doing the right thing. I have a second wait list at London Business School as well, however I am not holding my breath for either. However, I will send them a letter of intent in a couple of weeks. No looking back now, I've already ordered most of the Manhattan gmat series from Amazon :)


I recall from the NYU thread that you were saying a waitlist is almost like a ding for an international app...? Is that the case, or are you able to work the waitlist route and hold out? Obviously it's not desirable, but whatever works at this point...

All the best,
RG
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sudden
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2008, 09:37
good luck bsd! I think a higher GMAT score and R1 submission will definitely help you. i might be joining you here next year if things don't take a turn for the better here pretty soon... :roll:
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2008, 09:42
Hey BSD.. good luck with both the waitlists.. I hope you can get off one of them.. I am in the same boat at Chicago myself so I guess we can just keep waiting.

You mentioned that you hope to access some admitted students' essays. Is there a forum where these are available? While I am hoping to convert my WL to an admit, I also want to start planning if I need to reapp next year.
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Re: 900 posts [#permalink]
27 Mar 2008, 09:42
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