Help bsd_lover schedule an interview with Chicago

Question

Hi this post should really go in the GSB applications thread. However, I felt that this issue could arise regardless of the school. I have been offered an interview at Chicago GSB. I have the option of an on-campus or an alumni interview. On campus is not an option for me at the moment. I went through the list of all the locations offered at the GSB website - however, I couldn't find an alumni in Australia or New Zealand (I live in Sydney). The closest locations I can interview are at Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo - both about 6-8 hours away from Sydney.

This is quite silly, since I know that there are alumni in both Sydney and Melbourne. The alumni club of Australia is hosted here: https://www.chicagogsb.edu/alumni/clubs/australia/. In fact, during my research I spoke to an alumnus who now works at an investment bank in Sydney. I feel that an interview outside of Australia, especially at locations in Tokyo and KL would put me at a significant disadvantage. I need the interviewer to be able to empathise with my situation in Australia and understand my experiences - which are at regionally significant corporations. Not to mention an Australian has a higher chance of "getting" my jokes.

So then how do I word my e-mails to the Chicago interview guys such that they feel compelled to make the extra effort and set me up with an Australian alumni?

ps. Does the low profile of GSB in Oceania mean that I have a better chance at GSB ? I mean they have alumni who can interview in places like Keerbergen, Neuvo, Almaty (no offence to my Belgian, Mexican and Kazakh friends) so why not Sydney ?

kwam · Answer

bsd

When I got the interview invite, only Madrid and Milan were available for me, but when I hit the search at GSB's site, then someone in Portugal was available, have you already tried to search?

If so, I believe that an 8 hours flight for interview is way too much, get in touch with ad office and ask if they don't have someone in Australia, New Zealand pr Fiji

...

togafoot · Answer

They will probably find someone in Perth :lol:

bsd_lover · Answer

I did the search. Nothing in Sydney. I am going to e-mail the ad office tonight. I want to phrase this very carefully - I dont want to sound "pushy". Perhaps I should come up with good reasons for not being able to go to Asia ?

dosa_don · Answer

My guess is they will offer a phone interview.

my guess as to your situation- though there are a lot of alums in Sydney, a lot of them might not be involved with the interviews?

bsd_lover · Answer

I'd hate a phone interview even more, I prefer the one-on-one interaction. I am willing to go to Melbourne or Auckland (other hubs in Oceania). I find it difficult to believe that a school of Chicago's stature has no one to interview with in all these locations.

dabots · Answer

i was disappointed in the number of alumni interviewers available. i am in washington dc and there were no interviewers left within 100 miles when i got my invite. ended up going on campus.

bsd_lover · Answer

LOL dabots. I am talking 4000 miles here ... I'd jump to take anything under 1000 miles.

bee186 · Answer

hi bsd, first of all, congratulations for the interview invite!

I was in the same position when I chose the place. it's a 5-6 hours flight to a hub interview for hbs.. if I didn't take that hub spot I would probably ended up with phone interview.

I agree with dosa, maybe the alums there aren't involved in the admissions process.

try to write a letter that conveys a message that you don't mind flying to asia if there isn't any other options in aus or nz..

djhouse81 · Answer

How would you feel about spending a week in the States? If you have the money and vacation time, you should travel to Chicago to interview. I know it sounds like a lot, but if this is your number one choice then it will undoubtedly make a statement by traveling to Chicago, checking out the city and school, and interviewing on campus. I have put myself in both your shoes and those of the adcom. If I had the money and time (both luxuries for all of us, so for those reasons I understand when this suggestion gets swept into the pile), I would travel to another country. Especially, when so many fellow GMAT Clubbers would show you around! As an adcom, I would be tremendously impressed by your eagerness to attend Chicago that you show by traveling all the way from Australia. If, while you are at Chicago GSB, you make some good convos with the adcoms, they will remember your story because it will be a unique one during interview time (during visiting time, there are plenty of int'l's who visit the schools before they apply). With determination and dedication like that, coupled with a stellar interview, it would be hard to ding you!

However, if you choose to go any of the other routes, this is not to say that those are guaranteed dings. In fact, they are most certainly not dings! I just think my suggestion, if feasible, is a golden ticket.

However, if you choose to go any of the other routes, this is not to say that those are guaranteed dings. In fact, they are most certainly not dings! I just think my suggestion, if feasible, is a golden ticket.

hbs.aspirant · Answer

I think we are making some assumptions here, "eagerness" is not in the selection criteria. Keeping myself in an ideal adcom's shoes, visit to Chicago in itself would not have any influence on your decision, an stellar interview performance definitely will.

Well, that's my opinion, and my stronger opinion is that you should seek Rhyme's inputs. Real world is often different from "ideal" world.

bsd_lover · Answer

I hear you hbs and I take your point too dj. You are both right, but there is no way that I can take a week off to visit the US in the next two months as I've just started work on a new, rather involved, project. I feel that I'd maximize my chances of a stellar interview, if I did it with an Australian or with someone in Australia - I'd just be able to relate more to the interviewer. Having said that, I'd still prefer a face to face interview to a phone interview - I feel I do better when talking to someone in person; so if I can't have an interview in Australia, I *might* be open to a 6 hour, $750 flight to Malaysia.This is easier than a 20 hour $2000 flight to Chicago but its still a big price to pay for an interview where I'd have less than 50% chance of an admit. LBS was a lot easier - just up the road from work and the alumni was allocated to me directly via the LBS admissions people in my home city (take note Chicago).

What I find infuriating is that there ARE alumni present in Australia, but perhaps they are just never used for interviews - since the number of applicants from Australia may be a bit low. Anyway no-one's really responded to my core question - which is "How do I phrase this e-mail to the Admissions people at Chicago?"

djhouse81 · Answer

I did not say it was a selection criteria, it is a tactic that can help separate you during the admissions process. Adcoms want to create a class of unique, strong students who are eager to attend school X. Take two identical candidates--interview, stats, and all. However, one has more interest in the school than the other, and shows it. Who do you think the adcom is going to remember, connect more with, and want to admit? It may separate you from that candidate who will fill the role that you fill within the class. That's why visiting schools, attending receptions, conversing with adcoms, etc, can make a difference. It is not part of the selection criteria, hence it is not a deal breaker if you do not visit schools. But, you better believe that if you create a rapport with members of the admissions staff, they are going to want you around come Fall semester, as long as you can show you are strong candidate through the established selection criteria.

Like I said before, if bsd cannot go to the States, which he cannot, it will not be a deal breaker by any means. No adcom would in their right mind expect that from him. However, interviewing at Chicago is just one route to making that connection with the school and showing one's eagerness to connect with the school.

Ozmba · Answer

Hey how about you reaching out to the GSB Sydney alumni president and request him to volunteer -to interview you !!! -he can send an email to GSB adcom and they would be happy to oblige --Just try !

I am sure, Aussie GSB alumni would do any thing to help you out! --after all - aren't they aussies renowed for "taking care of fellow aussies"

Just ask them... All the best for your interview

cheers
PS: Last year, a friend of mine couldnt get any alumni to interview him and he was offered admission with out an interview -( not even phone interview --so just chill - I can help you connect to me if u want to talk to him --Interview is not a big deal --but as Djhouse81 -said --if you can try to differentiate --take the chance and fly to chicago --- )

kryzak · Answer

I would have to disagree partly and go with djhouse on this one. I agree that it's not a "selection criteria", but like everyone said, every differentiating factor will help you, no matter how miniscule. With upwards of 5000-7000 applicants at some of these schools, there are bound to be a bunch of people with very similar backgrounds, strengths, interview skills as you. But if you visited and talked with the adcom and showed your enthusiasm, versus someone who didn't, you will probably have an edge over that person if all else is similar.

buffdaddy · Answer

i have a feeling deep down inside, bsd aint an aussie...kinda like darth vader, he has some good left in him :-D

congrats for the interview bsd, hope it goes well mate.

aviroop · Answer

When I scheduled my interview, I searched for alumni in Los Angeles. The nearest they had was in San Jose. I thought it was odd. I chose to go on campus since it worked out to be the same for me.

However, your case is completely different. I would strongly ask ad-com to help you out failing which you would have to do a phone interview.

bsd_lover · Answer

Ok tis decided ~ it was either phone interview or the Chicago campus. There is definitely positively no way that I can have a face to face interview in Australia. The alum in Australia I talked to, was actually an American

. I tried a phone interview with a friend; it went terribly, I wouldn't have any confidence if I did it over the phone. I have decided to fly out to Chicago in early March (close to interview deadline date) for five days. I think its the best course of action for me. As djhouse mentioned earlier - its a serious show of intent on my part. Also, I can get the feel for the place; things like accommodation, commute and some initial networking. Once I am there, I think it makes sense for me to take a quick detour to NYC to check out NYU - another target school of mine. Could have bought a new laptop with the ticket and accommodation money - however, unless there's an admit, there's no need for a new laptop. Will be an interesting session of excuses and ticket bookings on Monday - I think if I have an excuse good enough, I should be able to buy a week (but only just)... I'll post more details after I finalize the tickets. I'd be keen to meet as many gmatclubbers as I can

ps. buff don't worry I'll give my Kiwi roots their due recognition when I am in Chicago.

djhouse81 · Answer

Bsd,
If the stars are aligned (i.e. money, vaction time, timing, etc) I say go for it! If you are accepted, frame that plane ticket because it will be a good reminder in future situations. If not, use it as TP. However, the latter is not going to happen because you are a very strong candidate, you will be prepared for the interview, and Chicago GSB will know by accepting you that you are all of the above plus someone who is going dedicate themselves to the Chicago GSB community.

Plus, the AUS $/US $ is almost 1 to 1.

bsd_lover · Answer

Yup - time-off is approved - although my employers think that I am going to the US to attend a mate's wedding (note avi - this line of reasoning is very acceptable OUTSIDE the consulting world). Although, to keep project on schedule, I'll have to work on weekends (are you listening Chicago ?). Onwards to flight scheduling now...

thanks for your vote of confidence dj. I certainly hope to meet you when I am there ...

thanks for your vote of confidence dj. I certainly hope to meet you when I am there ...

Help bsd_lover schedule an interview with Chicago

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