Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 09:09 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 09:09
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
sofla328
User avatar
Joined: 05 Apr 2008
Last visit: 28 Apr 2020
Posts: 28
Own Kudos:
4
Schools: LBS '14 (A)
Schools: LBS '14 (A)
Posts: 28
Kudos: 4
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 09 Apr 2008, 11:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
aaudetat


My two cents: if you're going into nonprofit, I would worry less about your volunteer service. I spent 6 years in the nonprofit world, and emphasized parts of my application that needed more assistance. for me, that was my quant background and why B-school made sense for someone like me. For me, my whole JOB was a giant volunteer gig. I didn't need extra stuff to prove to the adcoms that I cared about the community, that I wasn't money-hungry, that I was a giver. That was a given with my profile.

I would say, though, that everyone wants to appear well-rounded. If you work in a homeless shelter and volunteer at a food bank, you're a little one-dimensional. If you work at the shelter and enjoy competitive kayaking or showing your dogs, that's more interesting.

Am I making sense?
Show more
aaudetat
kryzak


May I suggest you add Haas to your list if you want to do non-profit? :)

K

Well, in that case, here are two resources you don't want to miss:

https://beyondgreypinstripes.org/index.cfm
and
https://netimpact.org/displaycommon.cfm? ... lenbr=1020

Be aware that schools vary in what kind of nonprofit work they focus on. One school I looked at was great at environmental stuff, and decent at international development. Domestic nonprofits, however, weren't on their radar.
Show more
Very Useful suggestions and resources, thanks guys
avatar
spideyeclipse27
avatar
Current Student
Joined: 30 Jan 2008
Last visit: 09 Oct 2012
Posts: 156
Own Kudos:
11
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: General,
Schools:Cornell, Duke, Kellogg, Ross
WE 1: 5
Posts: 156
Kudos: 11
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 10 Apr 2008, 15:43
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thank you aaudetat. Appreciate the response. I visited Duke last Monday and liked the school culture.

aaudetat
spideyeclipse27
Can someone let me know how the national reputation for Duke is like...

From where I sit - a FY student at Duke MBA program - I think it's pretty good stuff.

Here's why:

Duke is especially well-known for marketing (#2, behind Kellogg) social impact (top 10 - don't remember exactly), and HSM. Overall, we're a well-regarded general mgt school.

We get lots of recruiters from all industries and from all parts of the country. The Big 3 in consulting, the big dogs of finance, the major CPGs, etc, all recruit here.

Our students work in companies all over the country. We've got a decent distribution, though it is, I am sure, no surprise that the south, mid-atlantic, and northeast take most of our graduates. We've got 12, 13 and 15 % abroad, the west, and the midwest. (Only about 7% in the Texas-y part of the country.)

And, of course, we're Duke. Duke's a well-known university with strength at both the undergrad and grad levels.

So that's my VERY biased opinion. In spite of our recent slide in the rankings, we've got a solid national brand.
Show more
User avatar
aaudetat
User avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Last visit: 10 Jan 2016
Posts: 1,854
Own Kudos:
233
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009
Posts: 1,854
Kudos: 233
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 10 Apr 2008, 17:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
spideyeclipse27
Thank you aaudetat. Appreciate the response. I visited Duke last Monday and liked the school culture.

Show more

R3 applicant, or super-on-the-ball for next year??
User avatar
Omne
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Last visit: 07 Apr 2010
Posts: 148
Own Kudos:
8
Schools:Georgetown, UNC, UCLA, Duke, Wake Forest
Posts: 148
Kudos: 8
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 13 Apr 2008, 13:45
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Well I am back! Actually, I got back late Tuesday night, but I've been busy since then. Quick notes: I LOVED USC! Seriously, the visit was wonderful. Sat in on a global strategy class discussing the Russian oil market, and I found the discussion extremely lively and interesting. First day there ended up sleeping 16 hours (went for a nap at 4PM, woke up at 8AM..oops!), but Sunday I went to Hollywood and Highland, did some sightseeing and shopping, ate lunch at the Pig N' Whistle, then dinner at LA Prime. Monday, took a cab (seriously, I don't remember cab rides being as expensive as they were in LA) to USC, walked around campus for awhile, then did the info session and class visit. Overall, I loved every minute of it!

I'll post a more detailed recap, including everything said to us in the info session, when I get some more time. Oh, and to anyone who was with me during the info session (11:15AM with Veronica) or class visit (12:30, Global Strategy), it was good talking to you all!
User avatar
agold
User avatar
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Last visit: 01 Mar 2009
Posts: 1,578
Own Kudos:
300
Location: Southern California
Concentration: Investment Banking
Schools:Chicago (dinged), Tuck (November), Columbia (RD)
Posts: 1,578
Kudos: 300
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 13 Apr 2008, 13:48
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Omne
Well I am back! Actually, I got back late Tuesday night, but I've been busy since then. Quick notes: I LOVED USC! Seriously, the visit was wonderful. Sat in on a global strategy class discussing the Russian oil market, and I found the discussion extremely lively and interesting. First day there ended up sleeping 16 hours (went for a nap at 4PM, woke up at 8AM..oops!), but Sunday I went to Hollywood and Highland, did some sightseeing and shopping, ate lunch at the Pig N' Whistle, then dinner at LA Prime. Monday, took a cab (seriously, I don't remember cab rides being as expensive as they were in LA) to USC, walked around campus for awhile, then did the info session and class visit. Overall, I loved every minute of it!

I'll post a more detailed recap, including everything said to us in the info session, when I get some more time. Oh, and to anyone who was with me during the info session (11:15AM with Veronica) or class visit (12:30, Global Strategy), it was good talking to you all!
Show more

If you were this fascinated by USC, I highly recommend you take some time to visit UCLA. UCLA's campus/neighborhood/curriculum blows it away, and to boot it is cheaper than USC's program. Cabs out here are expensive - that's just a fact of life in LA. You will require a car if you want to live out here.
User avatar
kryzak
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Last visit: 10 Aug 2013
Posts: 5,452
Own Kudos:
744
Given Kudos: 14
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Posts: 5,452
Kudos: 744
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 13 Apr 2008, 14:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Sounds like a great trip Omne! From the sounds of it, UCLA should be even more interesting, as that's the impression I got from visiting both campuses (not the business school per se for USC).
User avatar
sm332
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Last visit: 26 Apr 2011
Posts: 449
Own Kudos:
39
Given Kudos: 16
Schools:F2010 - HBS (R1 - denied w/o interview ), INSEAD (R1 - admitted), Wharton (R1 - waitlisted & ding), Ivey (R2 - admitted w/ 60% tuition)
GPA: 3.8
WE 1: 3.5yrs as a Strategy Consultant - Big 4
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 449
Kudos: 39
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 14 Apr 2008, 13:11
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1) What schools are on your list right now? Harvard, Wharton,Kellogg, followed by INSEAD,LBS followed by Rotman. and Ivey

2) What is the state of your current preparations? Taking GMAT (Apr 26th), researching different program strengths. Specifically I'm looking at programs providing strong mobility to career changers and with a long term view to moving to Indial.

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point? Examining the blogosphere and forums to learn that there are a multitude of accomplished people competing against me.

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point? Fairly serious although given my age I may decide to push it out by a year such that both me and my wife can go together.
User avatar
ashaker
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Last visit: 13 Aug 2010
Posts: 169
Own Kudos:
16
Schools:HBS Stanford Kellogg Wharton Tuck MIT Sloan
Posts: 169
Kudos: 16
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 14 Apr 2008, 21:54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Folks,

After postponing my apps for a year (with an intervening marriage, and a good career break that hopefully bolsters my application..) I am ready to jump back into the application process.

1) What schools are on your list right now? Harvard, Stanford, Wharton. MIT Sloan, Kellog, Haas, INSEAD and IMD. I am still thinking about the R1 R2 strategy.. am also wondering if i am being too ambitious in my apps..none of these feel like a "safety" school. !

2) What is the state of your current preparations? Did the GMAT last year, managed a 770. Doing some introspection now into what I want to do after doing the MBA.(Stick to Industry? Try to move to IB/consulting ?)

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point? I am going to have to really work hard on developing my "arc". and expressing it well in the essay.. Co ordinating the MBA with my spouse's career is also going to be very difficult since we are in very different industries..

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point? Very serious...Have already discussed it with my employer and lined up potential recommenders. I am planning to visit US campuses in July with my spouse...Not sure if classes would be ongoing in the summer ? May have to go earlier..

ALL the best to everyone guys !
User avatar
sm332
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Last visit: 26 Apr 2011
Posts: 449
Own Kudos:
39
Given Kudos: 16
Schools:F2010 - HBS (R1 - denied w/o interview ), INSEAD (R1 - admitted), Wharton (R1 - waitlisted & ding), Ivey (R2 - admitted w/ 60% tuition)
GPA: 3.8
WE 1: 3.5yrs as a Strategy Consultant - Big 4
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 449
Kudos: 39
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 15 Apr 2008, 06:10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Good luck mate although I reckon classes wont be in session in the summer. I too missed the boat on that one.


ashaker
Hi Folks,

After postponing my apps for a year (with an intervening marriage, and a good career break that hopefully bolsters my application..) I am ready to jump back into the application process.

1) What schools are on your list right now? Harvard, Stanford, Wharton. MIT Sloan, Kellog, Haas, INSEAD and IMD. I am still thinking about the R1 R2 strategy.. am also wondering if i am being too ambitious in my apps..none of these feel like a "safety" school. !

2) What is the state of your current preparations? Did the GMAT last year, managed a 770. Doing some introspection now into what I want to do after doing the MBA.(Stick to Industry? Try to move to IB/consulting ?)

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point? I am going to have to really work hard on developing my "arc". and expressing it well in the essay.. Co ordinating the MBA with my spouse's career is also going to be very difficult since we are in very different industries..

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point? Very serious...Have already discussed it with my employer and lined up potential recommenders. I am planning to visit US campuses in July with my spouse...Not sure if classes would be ongoing in the summer ? May have to go earlier..

ALL the best to everyone guys !
Show more
User avatar
Maple
User avatar
Joined: 16 Sep 2007
Last visit: 05 May 2009
Posts: 98
Own Kudos:
23
Posts: 98
Kudos: 23
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 16 Apr 2008, 09:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1) What schools are on your list right now?
Stanford, Haas... some place that does not freeze.

2) What is the state of your current preparations?
Took the GMAT 3 years ago for my public policy app(1 week study). Currently preparing for a 700+ GMAT run.

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point?
Reading the ding/accepted/WL posts.

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point?
Not very... but I have time.
User avatar
kryzak
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Last visit: 10 Aug 2013
Posts: 5,452
Own Kudos:
744
Given Kudos: 14
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Posts: 5,452
Kudos: 744
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 16 Apr 2008, 10:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Maple
1) What schools are on your list right now?
Stanford, Haas... some place that does not freeze.
Show more

LOL! quoted for truth. :lol:

let me know if you need to know anything about Haas (and STanford) this fall.
User avatar
Omne
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Last visit: 07 Apr 2010
Posts: 148
Own Kudos:
8
Schools:Georgetown, UNC, UCLA, Duke, Wake Forest
Posts: 148
Kudos: 8
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 16 Apr 2008, 15:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I finally got around to posting my trip recap, the link is in my signature.

As far as summer visits: I'll be doing a few, and from what the AdCom at USC said, they are always open for people to walk in and visit. You just miss out on a class visit or speaking with many students
User avatar
lumone
User avatar
Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Last visit: 26 Oct 2010
Posts: 275
Own Kudos:
286
Schools:St Gallen, Cambridge, HEC Montreal
Posts: 275
Kudos: 286
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 17 Apr 2008, 04:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1) What schools are on your list right now?
Insead and the others: HEC, IE, Esade, Oxford and Cambridge

2) What is the state of your current preparations?
Taking the GMAT some time in June/July
Started to write Insead essays and downloaded the other applications

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point?
Nothing really "scary", a few problems that every applicant has: will I be able to finance it? who can I ask for rec's? can I really handle the workload of b-school? etc.. etc..

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point?
90%. The other 10% are the scenario whereby I change my mind and take the Chartered Accountant course and exam. In the event whereby I got ding's only, I will go for CA.
User avatar
sterny
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Last visit: 23 Feb 2011
Posts: 162
Own Kudos:
182
Schools:Wharton
Posts: 162
Kudos: 182
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 19 Apr 2008, 11:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1) What schools are on your list right now?
Chicago, Columbia, Stern, Tuck , Yale and Cornell

2) What is the state of your current preparations?
Took the GMAT once and just broke past 700. Given that I am an Indian I will be part of the competitive pool, therefore retaking the GMAT.
Also, giving CFA1, as I want to transition from management consulting to IB and want to show in my apps that I have done my homework regarding finance
Started to write draft personal statements essays and researching school. Yet to reach out to professors/alumni fully.

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point?
I think I have a solidified story, but the scariest part of the whole application is knowing your 'own worth'. It is easy for me to think that if I execute well, I have a shot at the schools listed above. But the reality may be something different. What makes sense to me may not make sense to the adcomm in terms of my career aspirations. Also, given that the applications are expected to rocket up next year, its a little disconcerting that my best may not be good enough.
Of course, leaving my current comfort zone of work and income to go back to college life and being broke and under debt is scary as well!!

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point?
It is the only thing I think about.
avatar
dghazer
avatar
Current Student
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Last visit: 19 Mar 2011
Posts: 136
Own Kudos:
2
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Schools:Ross,Johnson, Darden, McCombs, Simon
Posts: 136
Kudos: 2
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 20 Apr 2008, 17:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1) What schools are on your list right now? Johnson, Ross, Darden, McCombs...maybe Columbia, MIT, Wharton.

2) What is the state of your current preparations? Retaking GMAT in a month or two. Took it a year ago, scored 700, but did not prepare properly at all. I have a weak undergrad transcript that I would like to counter with an amazing GMAT. We'll see

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point? Trying to figure out what level of delusion is necessary to take a look at schools like Columbia, MIT, and Wharton. Finding recs will also be a little more difficult as I own a business and have not remained in consistant contact with former employers.

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point? 100%
User avatar
isa
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Last visit: 21 Jan 2010
Posts: 1,687
Own Kudos:
224
Given Kudos: 31
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy, MC
Schools:Kellogg '11
Posts: 1,687
Kudos: 224
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 20 Apr 2008, 17:43
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1) What schools are on your list right now? in no order: MIT, Duke, Chicago, Columbia, HBS, Stanford, Wharton; am still considering Cornell, Tuck, Kellogg; yes the list is still getting sorted out.

2) What is the state of your current preparations? Took the GMAT, got a 760 (yay); working on amping up the extracurriculars. I just really have one - don't think it'll be sufficient by itself. Short-term goals also include creating the list of schools, figuring out when to go visit.

3) What's the scariest part of the process at this point? Trying to figure out my "story" and how to best explain why I want the MBA at this point in the career.

4) How serious is your pursuit at this point? #1 priority! :)
User avatar
sonibubu
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 20 Aug 2007
Last visit: 18 Aug 2011
Posts: 810
Own Kudos:
158
Given Kudos: 1
Location: Chicago
Concentration: Strategy, Management, Finance
Schools:Chicago Booth 2011
Posts: 810
Kudos: 158
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 20 Apr 2008, 21:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dghazer
Finding recs will also be a little more difficult as I own a business and have not remained in consistant contact with former employers.
Show more

Use your clients as recommenders.
avatar
dghazer
avatar
Current Student
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Last visit: 19 Mar 2011
Posts: 136
Own Kudos:
2
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Schools:Ross,Johnson, Darden, McCombs, Simon
Posts: 136
Kudos: 2
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 21 Apr 2008, 03:52
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sonibubu
dghazer
Finding recs will also be a little more difficult as I own a business and have not remained in consistant contact with former employers.

Use your clients as recommenders.
Show more

That's what I have been thinking about. Is this considered acceptable by most schools? Also, what about a recommendation from my banker? Is that a possibility?
User avatar
sonibubu
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 20 Aug 2007
Last visit: 18 Aug 2011
Posts: 810
Own Kudos:
158
Given Kudos: 1
Location: Chicago
Concentration: Strategy, Management, Finance
Schools:Chicago Booth 2011
Posts: 810
Kudos: 158
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 21 Apr 2008, 09:04
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dghazer
sonibubu
dghazer
Finding recs will also be a little more difficult as I own a business and have not remained in consistant contact with former employers.

Use your clients as recommenders.

That's what I have been thinking about. Is this considered acceptable by most schools? Also, what about a recommendation from my banker? Is that a possibility?
Show more

Not sure if a banker will work, unless they are a client/customer and can talk about you in detail. In other words, somebody who relies on you as a customer will not work, whereas somebody who you rely on and interact with frequently will work as a recommender.

I've heard more than one adcom say that clients/customers usually will not hesitate to discuss an applicant's shortcomings when asked to, i.e. they have very honest recs.
avatar
dghazer
avatar
Current Student
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Last visit: 19 Mar 2011
Posts: 136
Own Kudos:
2
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Schools:Ross,Johnson, Darden, McCombs, Simon
Posts: 136
Kudos: 2
Early Birds: Fall 2009 Applicants 21 Apr 2008, 19:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
That makes sense, thanks.
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11