Calling all US Military Fall 2010 Applicants!

The Calling all US Military Fall 2009 Applicants thread was a good one and last year's group had pretty good results with their apps. https://gmatclub.com/forum/calling-all-us-military-fall-2009-applicants-75290.html

It looks like there's enough applicants this year to start a new thread so here it is. To kick things off, the following links are a good place to start if you're a military applicant.

Many of the top schools will waive your application fee, in addition to some other benefits.
https://www.mba.com/mba/WhyBSchool/MilitaryCandidates/MilitaryFriendlySchools.htm

If you qualify, the new Post 9-11 GI Bill offers great benefits to help make going to school financially viable.
https://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Post-911.htm

Good luck on everyone's apps!

*Reposted from 2009 thread*

Great to see a Mil oriented thread. Just got out last year (USMC), and have been working in various industries since then.

I was planning on applying round 1 to my schools (HBS/Stan/Kellogg/Darden/Haas/Anderson), but decided against since I wasn't getting on the GMAT score I wanted in my prep tests. I'm taking the official test tomorrow, (writing this post during a short break) and am still considering applying for R1 for HBS, that is, if my GMAT score turns out alright tomorrow. The thought is though, if I'm applying to the majority of my schools in R2, what's the point of applying to 1 school in R1? The advice given to me was if you have doubts, especially being short on time, go R2 and make sure that you've got a good app. Then again, anecdotal stories have said better chances for R1 vs R2. Thoughts?

Anyway, I wanted to ask, am I the only guy here who actually earned his paycheck (*enlisted*) applying to b-school? Nothing like hanging out with a bunch of "sirs" to ruin a good party.

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I wanted add something to the topic of recommendations.

i concur with the quality over rank advice. I know in the previous post, i made a snark about officers and such, but all kidding aside, some of the officers i've run into makes you think twice about the value of a college education. you can quickly those officers who graduated with a degree in P.E. just to qualify to get into OCS. so my advice, go to your superiors who really know who you are, the great, good, bad, and ugly characteristics. i'm going to attach a transcript of an interview with a Stanford application reviewer who gave tips and a general talk about how to approach a potential recommender and advice to the person writing the recommendation. it's really great. i've personally given every one of my recommenders a copy of this transcript and the feedback that i've received from all of them has been very positive about its guidance.

I've got a mix of civvy recommenders mixed with my mil recommendations, trying to get a good mix to show a well rounded picture of who I am, and have decided to go "out of the box" with a few recommendations. For instance: for my HBS application, I asked my Chaplain if he could recommend me. Although not in my chain of command, he was able to see the positive contributions via troop morale I was able to make after I was attached to a particular company of Marines.

So again, just because a guy has an oak cluster doesn't necessarily mean he's the best guy to ask for recommendations. Read the Stanford Transcript I've attached, and as the last of the 3 knights from the Last Crusades would say, "Choose Wisely".

Toss my name in the hat - I'm trying to get Round 1 applications finished while doing combat ready work-ups with the squadron. It will be a very busy month, and if I have to slide to round 2, so be it. I need to place equal value on, well, not crashing. Anyone else applying from overseas / deployment?

Lakai777, awesome attachment about the recommendations - I appreciate you sharing that with us. Should we end up at the same academic institution, your first whisky is on me, my friend.

Are you still applying to the same schools that you posted about in last year's thread? (H/S/W, Columbia, Tuck). If you're targeting five schools, that seems like a great number to spread between two rounds. There's different perspectives on application strategy in terms of app order and rounds, but here's a really good blog post from a new first year at HBS:
https://militarytobusiness.blogspot.com/2009/04/application-strategy.html

For anyone following this thread, I highly recommend reading through all his posts, there's some good advice, much of it military applicant related.

I'll repost since there is now a thread for this year. I'm a Navy guy who just returned from a deployment studying for the GMAT (test is in 2 days) and starting the application process at five schools: Kellogg (R1), Darden (R1), HBS (R2), Duke (R2), UNC (R2). I've got another deployment coming up early next year, and I need to make sure to have all of my applications finished (and hopefully interviews) by the time we pull out of port.

I can also vouch for https://militarytobusiness.blogspot.com as a very good resource. The blog really helped me get started studying for the GMAT and deciding on my school list as I was heading home from deployment.

I will just be finishing my initial commitment next summer, so no post-9/11 GI Bill for me (ROTC scholarship). I don't really know how many military applicants are in this situation, and how the new GI Bill will affect the application process and financial aid for military applicants. Is there anyone else here in the same boat?

Great point, and yes, I am definitely spreading them between two rounds. Five in one round is a great recipe to go 0-for-5. I'm aiming to get three in for round 1. Still applying to those five schools, but I'm leaning to include a safety school in that list - probably Texas. At the end of the day, we are all just rolling the dice. I personally have lost 5 straight rolls at the tables before, so you never can be too safe......

I decided on B-school well before the 9/11 GI-bill was even dreamed of, but what a gift from the sky. Is anybody else here "old enough" to use it? It seems to me that most of the "typical officers" (Service Academy or ROTC scholarship grads) cashing in are pilots - with the ten years of mandatory service. I personally know a few heading off to law or medical school, but nobody on the MBA path. Toss in flight pay and the bonus, and most people in my year group are making good money in a bad economy - to say nothing of the satisfaction you get from flying jets. I'm not sure how the GI-bill will shake up the numbers, but most of my peers seem to be staying in and using the GI-bill on part-time masters programs in a number of disciplines.

https://militarytobusiness.blogspot.com is great - finally, an MBA blog that is not chock full of 20 paragraph posts about trips to Ikea or daily "waitlist update" existentialism. He has a great post about the GI-bill I just finished reading. I'm guessing his blog will attain mythic status among military applicants - he should certainly drink for free on all of us who used his advice.

I've read that blog before, and I agree that its a terrific source of information. After doing a refresher reading, I'm thinking about spreading them between rounds too, except before I was considering doing HBS in R1, then the rest of the field, to try to take advantage of the mythical R1 higher acceptance rate. After reading the blog, now I'm considering doing my safe school first, Anderson, and doing the rest of the field in R2. Regardless, if I get to HBS, and he's still there, whiskey's on me. And losing 5 straight rolls? Remind me to not stand by you if we go to Vegas together.

I too dreamed of attending BSchool before the 9/11 GI Bill (which I think is an incomplete bill to begin with) but I'm not sure if I qualify either. I fulfill the "service" time requirement, but because I used my Montgomery GI Bill for my BA, I'm not sure if I qualify for 9/11 Bill + the Yellow Ribbon program. Plus since it seems like I'll be the only non-officer whose applying, I'm somewhat of an outlier as well regarding military statistics. For me, I look at the young PFC/Lance Corporals I left behind, now getting their BA totally and absolutely paid for, and I turn absolutely green with envy.

Posting here as I saw the 2009 message string first.

Im a former Army Officer, out since late 2007. I wanted to spend a couple years in the civilian sector prior to going back to school. I have been working as a consultant for almost 2 years and decided that Fall of 2010 would be my year. The Army had other plans however, as I have been recalled from the IRR back to active duty with a 13 month deployment to Afghanistan. Nothing like getting huge plans interrupted by the unexpected.

Prior to leaving Im going to retake the GMAT since 1st attempt didnt quite meet my expectations, and hopefully complete applications from overseas and hope for Fall 2011.

A comment on the new GI Bill: This seems to be a great deal when combined with the yellow ribbon program. Some schools contribute quite a bit towards tuition. You can visit the VA website and get a listing of what each school will contribute. The range is quite shocking from school to school.

Schools: Wash U (Olin), Dartmouth, Yale, Texas

Hey Brother. Welcome to forum. Your profile seems similar to mine (other than the officer part), and I'd make it a priority to knock that GMAT out before you deploy. That way, you can work on your app during your off time. I know 4 guys that applied to various programs while I Iraq, and all 4 of them got in. I think the "i'm applying from Iraq!" gives you a compelling angle. Not to say you should be thrilled you get to go to the 'Stan, but hey, take whatever advantage you've got.

With the Yellow Ribbon Program, I think for the schools you're applying too, they are extremely generous with the matching funds. The Yellow Ribbon Program is the one thing that really makes up for some the gigantic holes in the GI Bill that the congress cared less about because they were just looking to pass something and use it as a club to beat their opponents with. But the yellow ribbon program really helps out a whole lot.

But I will say to you, what I say to all my brothers who deploy, "Stay safe. Don't get fat. Don't buy too many hajii dvds cause you'll never watch them back her at home. Bring back more good memories than bad. And always watch your 6. We'll leave the light on for you till you get home."

Semper Fi brother.

GrantChap, it sounds you are taking things in stride and making the best of it. I've heard from friends in the Army about the effect that stop-loss and involuntary recalls have had on many people's lives. Several of the schools on your short list are known for being veteran friendly and plus you've got work experience to complement the military background. Good luck with studying!

Grant,

If you are serious about Tuck, I would simply "cold call" admissions now - they are SUPERB with veterans and the enrollment director is an Annapolis graduate. Since you have a year, I would talk to them early and often - quite a few veterans there that will help you out. PM me if you want a few more details.

**Edited contact info**

Popping my head in and saying hello to all the new prospective military applicants. If anybody has any questions, feel free to hit me up!

Congrats on Ross armycamel!!

Same deal here as far as questions, etc.

Great to see all the current student support! I'm going to do my best to actually work on apps and not check this site every hour but keep the good discussion going. Hopefully once a couple of them are done then I can take a breather before it's time to worry about interview invites

Vets are welcome at MIT Sloan, and I can answer questions.

Not too much recent activity here, so I figured I'd provide an update on apps. Submitted Wharton R1 right before the deadline and now working on Kellogg and Booth for upcoming deadline. Got a trip to Chicago the week they're due for an interview in Evanston and Booth Live so that's good motivation. How's everyone else's studying and apps going?

Went up to Stanford for a school visit and was throughly impressed with their faculty and their new curriculum. the takeaway i got from Stanford was that they're a CEO factory and place much more emphasis on graduates to go out and make a global difference, rather than being just a well read and talented employee. i loved the fact that they emphasized following your passion and giving you the tools you need to go out and achieve your dreams.

contrast that with Kellogg. I went to their info session later in the day in the silicon valley, and I must say, I was unimpressed. i think the problem was that i attended a session that was tailored for their high tech silicon valley audience. every question I asked which geared away from marketing and/or high tech, was replied with an answer that veered back to how great they were in marketing and great for high tech. marketing this marketing that. marketing marketing marketing. okay i get it. i asked about non profits and global affect, public policy and business partnerships and their history with societal impact. their answer: we have a great marketing program. don't get me wrong, i certainly believe Kellogg is a top school, i'd be a fool to not believe so, but at the end of the day, it seems that Kellogg is a school that spits out very well trained and educated employees and operators (probably the best in the biz), but not game changers and CEOs.

So i feel like schools like Stanford and HBS are just in totally different levels than Kellogg and other schools. Stanford and HBS know they have the cream of the crop, and gear their programs around becoming a springboard for their students to achieve great things, as opposed to Kellogg which knows they have extremely highly capable people who are looking to expand their experience to advance their careers.

this has caused me to broaden my search of schools to overseas and i've now added London Business School, INSEAD, and Oxford as possible schools to apply to, with Kellogg falling on the list.

anyone else?

To be fair, not every school should aim at become a CEO factory, its simply unrealistic. There are plenty of CEOs born outside of H/S. You experience at an info section certainly does not equate to the quality of a school. The choice is yours, but you should not make haste judgement.

billyjeans,

you are absolutely right. i wasn't trying to imply that all schools should be CEO focused and that one should dismiss Kellogg simply from an info session. I was trying to condense my experience into a short post and I guess it didn't come out as well as i had hoped. so let me clarify.

Kellogg certainly has its fair share of CEOs and regardless of how many CEOs come out of school, the potential applicant should make his decision based upon student fit and expectations of the program. I want to reiterate the fact that i believe kellogg is one of the best schools in the world. but just as every school has a particular reputation, the take away i had from the info session at kellogg was that their entire school revolves around their marketing program, and the majority of their students simply want a great set of alumni and an mba to check the box to springboard them to a better job. nothing wrong with that whatsoever. i'm sure that represents 99.9% of all applicants of all schools.

what i saw at kellogg was that they attract extremely fine talent, their alumni are quite impressive, and their student experience what essentially was described as a 2 year "summer camp" where they learned lots of cool things, did lots of fun activities, and left with a great set of friends and with new opportunities ahead. for most, that's exactly what they're looking for, and again, there's nothing wrong with that at all.

but for me, i'm looking for something more than just a certificate, friends, and an alumni network. so right or wrong, kellogg dropped on my list. it doesn't mean that i'm definitely not going to apply, its just not on my definitely WILL apply list.

(besides, i don't think they'll miss me anyway. 90% of the people applying to kellogg are probably more talented and qualified than me anyway)

Hey man, that's fit, and dont let anyone tell you that information sessions dont convey a small bit of that. Not everyone needs the obscure class visit, lunch in the cafeteria, “University” sweatshirt from the gift shop or whatever other dog and pony show is tossed your way to assess this fit. Defintiely reach out to a few veterans at the school - I know an ex-military person or two who graduated recently if you want to talk to someone, and I believe there is a vet here on GMATclub currently at Kellogg who can give you some perspective on the school. In the end, YOU are the one dropping $200K and 2 years, and if it the school doesn't seem right to you, it wont be.

From my perspectitve, I got the exact same vibe about the place - something about it was just a bit less serious than what I wanted. I can't put my thumb on it, but I think I share your feeling. Talking to those friends and attending an information session only validated that feeling. It is an eternal top-10 school, places well in EVERYTHING, and apparently is a damn fun time - but I really dont see me fitting in the place. We should all be so lucky to elimate top-10 schools from our wish list, but I'm not applying there either. The biggest reason for that, though, is the fact that I have no desire to live in Chicago.