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jmjmjmjm
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 04:44
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Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 04:50
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jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?
Show more

Strongly encourage you to reflect on your applications, better yet, get a ding analysis on the other applications.


If you think Duke can get you where you want to go post-MBA, Duke still has a good brand value.

(You should negotiate a slightly higher scholarship though. Duke isn't so bad at a 100k, right?)
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jmjmjmjm
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GMAT 1: 710 Q44 V42
GPA: 3.96
Schools: Wharton '27 (D) Booth '27 (D) MIT '27 (WL) Yale '27 (D) ISB '27 (A) Fuqua '27 (A$$)
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 04:53
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Hello,
Thanks a lot for your prompt response!
Any suggestions/posts on how to negotiate for higher scholarship?
For my other applications, I am aware my essays weren't great - so there's definite scope for improvement. But is my profile good enough for M7 given the competition?

Businessconquerer
jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?

Strongly encourage you to reflect on your applications, better yet, get a ding analysis on the other applications.


If you think Duke can get you where you want to go post-MBA, Duke still has a good brand value.

(You should negotiate a slightly higher scholarship though. Duke isn't so bad at a 100k, right?)
Show more
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 04:57
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jmjmjmjm
Hello,
Thanks a lot for your prompt response!
Any suggestions/posts on how to negotiate for higher scholarship?
For my other applications, I am aware my essays weren't great - so there's definite scope for improvement. But is my profile good enough for M7 given the competition?

Businessconquerer
jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?

Strongly encourage you to reflect on your applications, better yet, get a ding analysis on the other applications.


If you think Duke can get you where you want to go post-MBA, Duke still has a good brand value.

(You should negotiate a slightly higher scholarship though. Duke isn't so bad at a 100k, right?)
Show more


Well, I do help with scholarship negotiations each year so I can tell you one thing for certain -it's personalized & based on your application.

The general tangible ways to get an increase is through competing offers (which at the moment you don't have), new GMAT (I'm guessing that's not something you have either), or a promotion (and I can still guarantee you- from experience that despite all these, people have still not gotten an increase)


There are non-tangible ways too. But haven't seen your application so can't comment on that yet
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 05:10
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Hey, congrats on the Duke offer and progress so far. If M7's remain your target, boosting your GMAT might help your profile, your old 710 roughly converts to about a 665 (around the 92.6 percentile) on the new scale (there’s also a 655 option depending on specifics). Also, I’m applying to R3 this year and would appreciate any advice or insights you have.
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 06:48
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jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?
Show more
Congrats jmjmjmjm ! You’re in a great position with an offer from Duke Fuqua and a $70K scholarship, an opportunity that many would be thrilled to have. That said, it's understandable why you're considering a reapplication to the M7. The key question is: will another year significantly improve your odds? While a higher GMAT (740+) could help, M7 schools will also look for deeper leadership impact, clearer career progression, and a compelling reason for reapplying. If you genuinely believe you can strengthen your profile in a way that makes a material difference, and if M7 is essential for your long-term goals (like top-tier IB, PE, or consulting), then waiting could be an option. But Fuqua is still an elite program with good recruiting, and the scholarship makes it even more attractive. Plus, you’d be accelerating your career now rather than delaying for an uncertain outcome. If MIT’s waitlist turns into an offer(rough road), that changes the equation, but otherwise, Fuqua is a fantastic choice if that can still get you where you want to go. Ultimately, it comes down to whether the potential upside of reapplying outweighs the very real benefits you already have on the table. Network with more alumns and current students from the schools, to gather more insights and what would suit you best. Good luck and best wishes for your future : )
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 06:49
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jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?
Show more

Hi, I think you have an attractive offer from Duke. Glad to see you converting a waitlist and getting a good scholarship.
Whether to go to Duke- If it helps you achieve your post MBA career roles, then why not? Its a great MBA program and has a solid pipeline for the traditional career paths- consulting/ IB/ PM.
If you plan to reapply for M7s- you will most definitely need to take the GMAT again. You will be considered a reapplicant at some of these programs, so keep that in mind, as you will have to show growth in your profile over and have a new application strategy for the next round of applications. While you may score some neat admits, especially as you say your applications could have been better, do remember, there will be a risk of not making it anywhere.
Also consider, how attractive does the scholarship make the Duke offer for you. if you were to have an M7 admit without a scholarship offer, would it still be as attractive as going to Fuqua with scholarship?

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation : https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
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guidance in Finalising B-School 17 Mar 2025, 06:51
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Karanjotsingh
Hey, congrats on the Duke offer and progress so far. If M7's remain your target, boosting your GMAT might help your profile, your old 710 roughly converts to about a 665 (around the 92.6 percentile) on the new scale (there’s also a 655 option depending on specifics). Also, I’m applying to R3 this year and would appreciate any advice or insights you have.
Show more

Hi Karan,

R3 applications are mostly risky. Why not wait to apply in R1 in September? If Fuqua is very high on your priority, you can do an early application

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation : https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
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GMAT 1: 710 Q44 V42
GPA: 3.96
Schools: Wharton '27 (D) Booth '27 (D) MIT '27 (WL) Yale '27 (D) ISB '27 (A) Fuqua '27 (A$$)
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guidance in Finalising B-School 18 Mar 2025, 06:20
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Hello,
Thanks a lot for your guidance - it is helping me think clearly! :)

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jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?
Congrats jmjmjmjm ! You’re in a great position with an offer from Duke Fuqua and a $70K scholarship, an opportunity that many would be thrilled to have. That said, it's understandable why you're considering a reapplication to the M7. The key question is: will another year significantly improve your odds? While a higher GMAT (740+) could help, M7 schools will also look for deeper leadership impact, clearer career progression, and a compelling reason for reapplying. If you genuinely believe you can strengthen your profile in a way that makes a material difference, and if M7 is essential for your long-term goals (like top-tier IB, PE, or consulting), then waiting could be an option. But Fuqua is still an elite program with good recruiting, and the scholarship makes it even more attractive. Plus, you’d be accelerating your career now rather than delaying for an uncertain outcome. If MIT’s waitlist turns into an offer(rough road), that changes the equation, but otherwise, Fuqua is a fantastic choice if that can still get you where you want to go. Ultimately, it comes down to whether the potential upside of reapplying outweighs the very real benefits you already have on the table. Network with more alumns and current students from the schools, to gather more insights and what would suit you best. Good luck and best wishes for your future : )
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jmjmjmjm
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GMAT 1: 710 Q44 V42
GPA: 3.96
Schools: Wharton '27 (D) Booth '27 (D) MIT '27 (WL) Yale '27 (D) ISB '27 (A) Fuqua '27 (A$$)
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guidance in Finalising B-School 18 Mar 2025, 06:22
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Hello,
Thanks a lot for your advice! I do believe M7 without is scholarship seems less attractive than Duke with Scholarship. Thank you for your insights!

MBADecoder
jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?

Hi, I think you have an attractive offer from Duke. Glad to see you converting a waitlist and getting a good scholarship.
Whether to go to Duke- If it helps you achieve your post MBA career roles, then why not? Its a great MBA program and has a solid pipeline for the traditional career paths- consulting/ IB/ PM.
If you plan to reapply for M7s- you will most definitely need to take the GMAT again. You will be considered a reapplicant at some of these programs, so keep that in mind, as you will have to show growth in your profile over and have a new application strategy for the next round of applications. While you may score some neat admits, especially as you say your applications could have been better, do remember, there will be a risk of not making it anywhere.
Also consider, how attractive does the scholarship make the Duke offer for you. if you were to have an M7 admit without a scholarship offer, would it still be as attractive as going to Fuqua with scholarship?

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation : https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
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guidance in Finalising B-School 18 Mar 2025, 07:40
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Glad to help! In the current economic scenario, it makes more sense to minimize your risks (Duke scholl v's no scholl at M7). Eventually, you will not get an opportunities on a platter even at an M7 and Fuqua is not a compromise either. its a solid program :)

jmjmjmjm
Hello,
Thanks a lot for your advice! I do believe M7 without is scholarship seems less attractive than Duke with Scholarship. Thank you for your insights!

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guidance in Finalising B-School 19 Mar 2025, 00:51
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Hello jmjmjmjm,

With the existing GMAT score, Duke is a great admit to have and you should consider it; however, if you really want to apply to the M7 programs and have a decent chance, you should be looking at improving your GMAT score.

All the best!
jmjmjmjm
Hi,
I had applied to M7 and a couple of universities this year in Round 1 with a GMAT score of 710, CFA charter, 3.96/4.00 gpa, and 4 years of workex(1.5 years at barclays, 2.5 years at family business) . I was rejected by all except MIT (waitlisted before Interview) and Duke (Waitlisted in R1). I was able to convert Duke Fuqua in R2 with a $70,000 scholarship.
My target was M7, preferably, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT or Stanford.
Should I try again next year for M7 with a better GMAT score or should I take up Duke's offer?
Show more