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coccinelle13
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? Updated on: 21 Feb 2024, 06:15
Originally posted by coccinelle13 on 21 Feb 2024, 00:54.
Last edited by coccinelle13 on 21 Feb 2024, 06:15, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
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coccinelle13
Hi everone,

:cry:

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

:lol: but seriously - any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea what else I could possibly do, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program than I... and yet they were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!
Show more
­

Sorry for your unfortunate result, and I truly appreciate all the effort you put into your application. Were you a reapplicant here, in which case, you will be a second time reapplicant and it will only be tougher. 
In my opinion, you should try getting feedback from the adcom. Most b-schools don't give one, so try explaining to them about your deep interest in the program. If they agree to a feedbcak, you will have some data points for improvement directly from them. Moreover, seeking feedback from MBA consultants will be an equally good way to know where your application may have lacked or how you can make improvements for a future attempt.

If you were to apply this year, technically it wuld be your second attempt only as you applied to only one preogram last year. Hope that makes you feel better! This year, I would suggest you submit applications to more b-schools. Maybe if you had done that the past year, you would have some admits in hand. Its a risk to apply to just one b-school and getting a reject from them in no way suggests that you are not a good enough candidate. So do widen you net this time around to include a larger list of b-schools. I am sure that with adequate research, you will find many other b-schools can help you reach the same career goals as your first choice b-school. 
Hope that helps,
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Profile evaluation: https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/

 ­
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 21 Feb 2024, 07:48
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Thank you Namita @MBADecoder for your thoughtful reply and advice on how to proceed. I will try and see whether the adcom is willing to shed some light that would be helpful for a potential reapplication. Thank you so much for your time in posting a reply, I really appreciate it.­
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 21 Feb 2024, 11:31
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coccinelle13
Thank you Namita @MBADecoder for your thoughtful reply and advice on how to proceed. I will try and see whether the adcom is willing to shed some light that would be helpful for a potential reapplication. Thank you so much for your time in posting a reply, I really appreciate it.­
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­All the best to you. And dont take this setback as a deterrant to your MBA plans, if MBA still remains desirable. 

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Profile evaluation: https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 21 Feb 2024, 21:27
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coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
Show more
­coccinelle13

When we analyze diverse profiles that made it to our dream schools, we try to find attributes that seem like common traits(between us and them). But we fail to acknowledge that hundreds of other similar profiles may have been rejected from the same pool. The alumni you got the feedback from may have been swayed by Selection Bias too when it came to giving feedback to diverse profiles. Maybe you come from a pool that anyway finds a very small representation in this program and for good reason because this M7 program is intrinsically focused on something else. Without knowing further details about your career and goals, it's impossible to comment on what could have led to this rejection.

M7 schools have high standards when it comes to academics and career progression. Since you have shown a significant turnaround through your GMAT score and other courses, maybe you are missing a key link here as to why you did not get a shortlist. Likely, the adcom doesn't think your career trajectory and your goals align well with the school. Why that may be the case, we don't know. But I hope you get the gist that instead of mulling over this rejection, you should move on, perhaps look at other schools or other ways to attain your long-term career goals. I am sure you have great potential to succeed.

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­­­



 
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coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
Show more

Hi there!  

Ok so first of all, the idea to reach out to the MBA program and ask why you were rejected is probably not going to get a response, if you applied to an elite program. The top programs are VERY clear about when they do / do not give feedback  (e.g., in previous years, HBS would offer feedback *ONLY* to applicants rejected *after interview*).  So if you want to try again for the same program, I would in fact NOT reach out and ask for feedback unless they say they're open to giving it... it risks being irritating / "Why does this person think that the usual rules don't apply to them? Don't they know that we reject literally several thousand people per year? Why do they think they are special / deserve this extra special treatment???"  (Note that *I* am not saying that I think this about you; I'm just "putting on my adcom hat" and thinking about how such a query might actually backfire / actually risks making a negative impression). 

Second of all, something that jumped out was the "since graduating from college 7 years ago" part of your profile -- that would put you at the 8-year mark upon enrollment, which is probably about 2 - 3 years higher than what would be ideal / average for most of the top programs.  In fact, this is exactly why Stanford offers its "MSx" program option overtly for people with 8+ years of experience (i.e., where you are now) -- it's an option to get a Stanford degree, even for folks who might otherwise be considered "too old" for the "typical" two year MBA. 

Another tricky thing that entrepreneurs face is the very "opportunity cost" trade-off you mention: some entrepreneurs aren't successful enough, pre-MBA (e.g. the business they built is too small to fire up adcoms' engines)... or it's TOO successful, in which case: "Well, do they really even need the MBA?!?" OR "Well, will the company collapse if they leave for 1 - 2 years? Why would anyone risk leaving a highly-successful business, just for an MBA, when there are SO MANY OTHER ways to get this education in a way that would not require them to quit?".   

Re: the other facets of your profile, while I agree that the GPA probably gave them pause, given the solid GMAT + other factors (ie you had a good reason for the grades being what they were), my gut is saying that the GPA wasn't "The Thing" that had the most impact. 

So, if I *had* to guess, going on the (understandably!) limited info posted here, I'd say it's *more*: 
  • Being at 7 years of experience
  • Your business perhaps being "not successful enough to impress us" or "so successful why bother with an MBA [a two year, full-time one, at least]?" 

So my advice here is to first, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remove this idea of "there is only 1 school worth attending" idea. While concepts like a "one true soul mate / Prince(ss) Charming" work splendidly in Hallmark movies, real life is thankfully one where SERIOUSLY, MANY SCHOOLS  / PROGRAMS can get you were you want to go.

(And, if I were to play Devil's Advocate here -- thinking that "there is only 1 MBA program worth going to" actually makes me wonder if the "does this person even need the MBA?" reason might have been the downfall here --- after all, if someone truly needs an MBA, wouldn't they maximize their chances by applying to many schools?)

[UPDATE after reading your PM to me:  I also wonder if the Specific Specialized Program you applied to thought that you already have *enough* experience in That Specialized Thing That They Do... and as such, that you wouldn't really benefit from Their Full Specialized Program [vs. 1 or 2 electives, which you could have taken even if not in that Specialized Program?].  Since the program you mentioned comes at ADDITIONAL time and also considerable additonal cost, if anything, as an entrepreneur, it's a WORSE fit for you?  [ is this what THEY might have been thinking?  shouldn't you want to get back into the workforce *asap*, and also with , let's say, $X0k less in student loans?]

So -- *IF* my gut is on the right track here re: possible reasons it didn't work out, then re-applying in the next cycle will probably not address those reasons (if anything, the situation may be slightly worse) -- so hey, look, re-apply because why not? BUT ALSO I AM BEGGING YOU PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE: 


PLEASE consider applying to more than just one program!!! PRETTY PLEASE??


Specifically for you?  I'd *love* to see you apply to programs that might be stronger fits for you, such as: 
  • Columbia's "J-Term" program (applications open in the summer): an incredible option for entrepreneurs
  • Stanford MSx (open to older, er, I mean "more seasoned" candidates... plus, if you've been successful at entrepeneurship they are more likely to *value* / cherish that, vs. the program you did apply to) 
  • Kellogg 1-year MBA (they have some pre-reqs but you might have already covered those via your prep anyway, and if you didn't, I think they're pretty easy to fulfill in advance?) and/or any other 1-year program
  • I feel like an INSEAD could really like this story, as could Oxford / Cambridge / LBS 
  • Other programs that MIGHT be able to give you MANY of the benefits of the specialized program you were aiming for at first -- e.g. Yale is insanely flexible with the ability to take other classes across the broader university, probably including the Specific Specialized Thing that made you crush on the program you applied to?  

While I know how easy it is for us and our falliable human brains to think that there is ONE AND ONLY ONE potential [job / school / mate / sandwich] out there that will bring us eternal bliss, the bad news is, no such magical perpetual-bliss-thing exists. The GOOD news is, since there is honestly no such thing as "only 1 perfect" option, it means that there are a TONNNNN of other potential [jobs / schools / mates / sandwiches] that can JUST as easily get us what we want out of life (we might even realize in retrospect that they were better for us all along!) and it would be a real shame to miss out on an "equally good or maybe better" situation because we've convinced ourselves of the lie (sorry to be blunt, but it is indeed a lie)  that "there's only 1 that could possibly work for me, and I'm going to shoot myself in the foot by closing my mind to any other possibility". 

TL;DR: Yes apply to other MBA programs again (you can try this one again too but... well, be realistic about it)... and if your answer continues to be: "It must be that program or nothing else", then that might be a sign that you actually don't really need the MBA, and perhaps the admissions committee sensed that and paradoxically, the "lack of actually needing this thing" might have seeped through, in subtle / barely-perceptible-but-perceptible-nonetheless ways? 


Warmly, 
Maria "50% of Tough Love is Love; this comes from a place of good intentions!" Wich-Vila­­­

(edited to fix some funky formatting)­­­­­­­­­
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 21 Feb 2024, 22:04
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coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
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­Hi coccinelle13,

Disheartened to know that you got dinged! However, your perseverance is worth an appreciation. 

You should be applying to more schools to ensure better chances of acceptance. We recommend doing the same in the coming cycle. 
Our MBA consultants have helped ample students get admits to their dream business schools after getting dinged several times. You can connect with the team for a free consultation to understand your profile, short as well as long-term goals, aspirations, your dinged applications, and much more in detail.  That would help the team identify the roadblocks in your application that can be omitted in the coming applications.

You can schedule your free call with our consultants here. 
You can also connect with our MBA team directly via call at +91 7780769732
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 22 Feb 2024, 00:54
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coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
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­Hi coccinelle13,

Sorry to know that you got dinged from your top-choice program. Just applying again, will not help. You need to understand what went wrong. The schools especially the M7 are very competitive. So, we suggest you to apply to more schools to mitigate risk. The school selection should be well thought off. You have a good GMAT score. Revisit your essays, career goals, career trajectory, CV, etc. Also, have some quantifiable results on what changed since you last applied.
Don't get overwhelmed. Here is a list of things that you can do when reapplying-https://aringo.com/reapplying-for-top-mba-programs-tips/.
Every year ARINGO helps many reapplicants with their applications with great success. Send your CV to priyanka@aringo.com and I would love to connect you with our CEO for further discussion.

All the best!­­­­
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Thank you so much Maria for having taken the time to reply to my post, it made my month (not just my day!).

I will use the time between now and next rounds to look into the programs that you suggested. Thank you so much for all you do, it was a great pleasure to go through ApplicantLab and I would encourage anyone reading this post who has not tried out the platform to give it a shot instead of trying to figure it out on their own.

Thank you Maria, I really appreciate it (wasn't expecting a reply from the guru of all gurus in the world of admissions!) :)
ApplicantLab

coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!

Hi there!  

Ok so first of all, the idea to reach out to the MBA program and ask why you were rejected is probably not going to get a response, if you applied to an elite program. The top programs are VERY clear about when they do / do not give feedback  (e.g., in previous years, HBS would offer feedback *ONLY* to applicants rejected *after interview*).  So if you want to try again for the same program, I would in fact NOT reach out and ask for feedback unless they say they're open to giving it... it risks being irritating / "Why does this person think that the usual rules don't apply to them? Don't they know that we reject literally several thousand people per year? Why do they think they are special / deserve this extra special treatment???"  (Note that *I* am not saying that I think this about you; I'm just "putting on my adcom hat" and thinking about how such a query might actually backfire / actually risks making a negative impression). 

Second of all, something that jumped out was the "since graduating from college 7 years ago" part of your profile -- that would put you at the 8-year mark upon enrollment, which is probably about 2 - 3 years higher than what would be ideal / average for most of the top programs.  In fact, this is exactly why Stanford offers its "MSx" program option overtly for people with 8+ years of experience (i.e., where you are now) -- it's an option to get a Stanford degree, even for folks who might otherwise be considered "too old" for the "typical" two year MBA. 

Another tricky thing that entrepreneurs face is the very "opportunity cost" trade-off you mention: some entrepreneurs aren't successful enough, pre-MBA (e.g. the business they built is too small to fire up adcoms' engines)... or it's TOO successful, in which case: "Well, do they really even need the MBA?!?" OR "Well, will the company collapse if they leave for 1 - 2 years? Why would anyone risk leaving a highly-successful business, just for an MBA, when there are SO MANY OTHER ways to get this education in a way that would not require them to quit?".   

Re: the other facets of your profile, while I agree that the GPA probably gave them pause, given the solid GMAT + other factors (ie you had a good reason for the grades being what they were), my gut is saying that the GPA wasn't "The Thing" that had the most impact. 

So, if I *had* to guess, going on the (understandably!) limited info posted here, I'd say it's *more*: 
  • Being at 7 years of experience
  • Your business perhaps being "not successful enough to impress us" or "so successful why bother with an MBA [a two year, full-time one, at least]?" 

So my advice here is to first, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remove this idea of "there is only 1 school worth attending" idea. While concepts like a "one true soul mate / Prince(ss) Charming" work splendidly in Hallmark movies, real life is thankfully one where SERIOUSLY, MANY SCHOOLS  / PROGRAMS can get you were you want to go.

(And, if I were to play Devil's Advocate here -- thinking that "there is only 1 MBA program worth going to" actually makes me wonder if the "does this person even need the MBA?" reason might have been the downfall here --- after all, if someone truly needs an MBA, wouldn't they maximize their chances by applying to many schools?)

[UPDATE after reading your PM to me:  I also wonder if the Specific Specialized Program you applied to thought that you already have *enough* experience in That Specialized Thing That They Do... and as such, that you wouldn't really benefit from Their Full Specialized Program [vs. 1 or 2 electives, which you could have taken even if not in that Specialized Program?].  Since the program you mentioned comes at ADDITIONAL time and also considerable additonal cost, if anything, as an entrepreneur, it's a WORSE fit for you?  [ is this what THEY might have been thinking?  shouldn't you want to get back into the workforce *asap*, and also with , let's say, $X0k less in student loans?]

So -- *IF* my gut is on the right track here re: possible reasons it didn't work out, then re-applying in the next cycle will probably not address those reasons (if anything, the situation may be slightly worse) -- so hey, look, re-apply because why not? BUT ALSO I AM BEGGING YOU PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE: 


PLEASE consider applying to more than just one program!!! PRETTY PLEASE??


Specifically for you?  I'd *love* to see you apply to programs that might be stronger fits for you, such as: 
  • Columbia's "J-Term" program (applications open in the summer): an incredible option for entrepreneurs
  • Stanford MSx (open to older, er, I mean "more seasoned" candidates... plus, if you've been successful at entrepeneurship they are more likely to *value* / cherish that, vs. the program you did apply to) 
  • Kellogg 1-year MBA (they have some pre-reqs but you might have already covered those via your prep anyway, and if you didn't, I think they're pretty easy to fulfill in advance?) and/or any other 1-year program
  • I feel like an INSEAD could really like this story, as could Oxford / Cambridge / LBS 
  • Other programs that MIGHT be able to give you MANY of the benefits of the specialized program you were aiming for at first -- e.g. Yale is insanely flexible with the ability to take other classes across the broader university, probably including the Specific Specialized Thing that made you crush on the program you applied to?  

While I know how easy it is for us and our falliable human brains to think that there is ONE AND ONLY ONE potential [job / school / mate / sandwich] out there that will bring us eternal bliss, the bad news is, no such magical perpetual-bliss-thing exists. The GOOD news is, since there is honestly no such thing as "only 1 perfect" option, it means that there are a TONNNNN of other potential [jobs / schools / mates / sandwiches] that can JUST as easily get us what we want out of life (we might even realize in retrospect that they were better for us all along!) and it would be a real shame to miss out on an "equally good or maybe better" situation because we've convinced ourselves of the lie (sorry to be blunt, but it is indeed a lie)  that "there's only 1 that could possibly work for me, and I'm going to shoot myself in the foot by closing my mind to any other possibility". 

TL;DR: Yes apply to other MBA programs again (you can try this one again too but... well, be realistic about it)... and if your answer continues to be: "It must be that program or nothing else", then that might be a sign that you actually don't really need the MBA, and perhaps the admissions committee sensed that and paradoxically, the "lack of actually needing this thing" might have seeped through, in subtle / barely-perceptible-but-perceptible-nonetheless ways? 


Warmly, 
Maria "50% of Tough Love is Love; this comes from a place of good intentions!" Wich-Vila­­­

(edited to fix some funky formatting)­­­­­­­­­
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Thank you for your insights, I agree it is difficult to know what might have been the reason, and you are right the pool of applicants is huge. It's possible that my entrepreneurial goals are just not a good fit as you say. I will think it over and see what might be the best course of action for the next round of admissions, thank you!
MBAGuide

coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
­coccinelle13

When we analyze diverse profiles that made it to our dream schools, we try to find attributes that seem like common traits(between us and them). But we fail to acknowledge that hundreds of other similar profiles may have been rejected from the same pool. The alumni you got the feedback from may have been swayed by Selection Bias too when it came to giving feedback to diverse profiles. Maybe you come from a pool that anyway finds a very small representation in this program and for good reason because this M7 program is intrinsically focused on something else. Without knowing further details about your career and goals, it's impossible to comment on what could have led to this rejection.

M7 schools have high standards when it comes to academics and career progression. Since you have shown a significant turnaround through your GMAT score and other courses, maybe you are missing a key link here as to why you did not get a shortlist. Likely, the adcom doesn't think your career trajectory and your goals align well with the school. Why that may be the case, we don't know. But I hope you get the gist that instead of mulling over this rejection, you should move on, perhaps look at other schools or other ways to attain your long-term career goals. I am sure you have great potential to succeed.

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­­­




 
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 22 Feb 2024, 08:57
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Thank you for getting back to me, I will educate myself about other programs and go from there, thank you!
TheRedPen

coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
­Hi coccinelle13,

Disheartened to know that you got dinged! However, your perseverance is worth an appreciation. 

You should be applying to more schools to ensure better chances of acceptance. We recommend doing the same in the coming cycle. 
Our MBA consultants have helped ample students get admits to their dream business schools after getting dinged several times. You can connect with the team for a free consultation to understand your profile, short as well as long-term goals, aspirations, your dinged applications, and much more in detail.  That would help the team identify the roadblocks in your application that can be omitted in the coming applications.

You can schedule your free call with our consultants here. 
You can also connect with our MBA team directly via call at +91 7780769732
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 22 Feb 2024, 08:58
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Thank you for the link, I will look into widening my net as you suggested and check out your resources, appreciate your insights!
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coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
­Hi coccinelle13,

Sorry to know that you got dinged from your top-choice program. Just applying again, will not help. You need to understand what went wrong. The schools especially the M7 are very competitive. So, we suggest you to apply to more schools to mitigate risk. The school selection should be well thought off. You have a good GMAT score. Revisit your essays, career goals, career trajectory, CV, etc. Also, have some quantifiable results on what changed since you last applied.
Don't get overwhelmed. Here is a list of things that you can do when reapplying-https://aringo.com/reapplying-for-top-mba-programs-tips/.
Every year ARINGO helps many reapplicants with their applications with great success. Send your CV to priyanka@aringo.com and I would love to connect you with our CEO for further discussion.

All the best!­­­­
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 22 Feb 2024, 10:25
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Hello coccinelle13,

Your commitment and passion for the M7 niche program are evident, and it's commendable that you've put in significant effort and research. Reapplying can indeed be a strategic move to showcase perseverance and dedication. While there might be a slight negative stigma attached to reapplying, it's outweighed by the opportunity to demonstrate growth and improvement in your application.

To enhance your reapplication, consider seeking more specific feedback on your previous applications. Address any weaknesses highlighted in the feedback and showcase additional accomplishments or experiences that have occurred since your last attempt. Emphasize personal and professional growth, and how these developments make you an even stronger candidate for the program.

Continue to refine your essays, ensuring they convey your passion for the program and how it aligns with your career goals. Highlight any further steps you've taken to familiarize yourself with the school, such as additional networking with alumni or attending virtual events. Use this information to strengthen your case for why you are an ideal fit for the program.

In your essays, discuss how you've overcome challenges and evolved since your last application. Emphasize the value you bring to the program and your commitment to contributing to the school's community. Demonstrating self-awareness and a clear understanding of how the program aligns with your goals can strengthen your candidacy.

While reapplying, consider showcasing any additional skills or experiences you've acquired, including those from Coursera courses or other professional development opportunities. Admissions committees appreciate applicants who continuously seek growth and improvement.

Overall, reapplying can be a positive move if approached strategically. Use feedback to identify areas for improvement, highlight your growth, and emphasize your genuine passion for the program. The key is to demonstrate that each application cycle has been a stepping stone toward becoming the best possible candidate for the program.

Best of luck with your MBA journey!

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A FREE PROFILE EVALUATION CALL WITH ALUMS AND CURRENT STUDENTS OF TOP B-SCHOOLS!
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coccinelle13
Hi everone,

Trying to evaluate whether this is time to say goodbye and move on with life and would appreciate the community's two cents on this.

I applied to an M7 niche program only (yes, I did realize the chances of getting it were slim, but as an entrepreneur, there's a high opportunity cost in leaving your business and moving somewhere else (let alone financing the degree), so I felt like unless the program really "clicks", I might not be happy with my decision in the longterm).

My background:
Female, low income, first gen, non-competitive demographic, entrepreneur ever since graduating from college 7 years ago. Below 3 GPA from Ivy League, due to extenuating circumstances I explained in my optional essay.

First attempt (2023 intake):
Due to my bad GPA, I focused on the GMAT, scored an average 730 (Quant 49 (73%), Verbal 41 (93%), AWA 5 (56%), IR 7 (79%)). I applied R2 and would say my focus breakdown was 60% GMAT, 20% program research, 20% essay writing. Got dinged with no interview. Asked for feedback, none given.

Second attempt (2024 intake):
I was torn whether to retake the GMAT (although 730 was above my usual practice scores, so getting a higher score might not be possible), the majority of people told me to focus on the rest of my application and that my GMAT was good enough. During this second attempt I discovered ApplicantLab that I was unfortunately unaware of during my first attempt or it would have made a big difference in crafting my story. This time I would say my focus was 70% essay writing, 20% program research, 10% academics booster (I took 5 Coursera courses hosted by that school, finished MBAMath). Again, dinged with no interview.

I am still absolutely in love with the program, I have researched all there is to research about it, I feel like I could work for their admissions and give these Zoom conferences explaining the program at this point, honestly. (I am not saying this to brag, just to put into perspective that I believe I have really done my research over the past 2 years). I reached out to 10 alumni, had deeper conversations/ feedback with 3 of them. The only thing I couldn't do is visit campus since I am too far away. Everyone I have shared my background with who knows this program a bit better agrees my background is ideal/ diverse for this program and they don't see why I didn't even get a chance for interview.

Any advice whatsoever what I could do? I have put so much effort into preparing this application that I have no idea how to improve, I happened to get in touch with some applicants who did get an interview invite this year and they seem much less passionate about the program (and know much less about it) than I... and yet they clearly were the better choice. Any two cents someone might be willing to share would be much appreciated!­

If you have no opinion on the above, could you shed some light into the negative stigma attached to applying to the same school several times, since I fail to see it? To me this whole process seems like going to the Olympics, and while everyone would love to go there for the first time and get a gold medal, some people run faster than others/ have better trainers/ etc. so it's unrealistic to expect winning gold in the first run. As a spectator I'd be much more impressed by an athlete who participates several times in the Olympics and moves from 20th in the ranking to gold, wouldn't you? It would show perseverance, that they are willing to work on their skills, and that they have a clear aim. I guess what I am failing to see is, how does this not apply for an MBA application? I do understand that for some people they have to start their MBA journey in a particular year for various reasons (maybe end of a contract/ they are planning a move/ family obligations etc). So it makes sense to cast a wider net so you can be sure to have at least one "gold medal" in your bucket. But if you don't mind starting your MBA in a different year, wouldn't someone who keeps applying to the same program and improves their "package", show an adcom how passionate they are about their program and how much they have invested to become their "ideal candidate"? I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question but I truly fail to see how reapplying makes things more difficult, if not the contrary? Cheers for any replies I might get on this, really appreciate it!
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Hmmmm... should I apply for a 3rd time??? 23 Feb 2024, 05:54
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­Hello, 

Your unwavering interest and efforts towards the M7 niche program shine through, and it's impressive to see your readiness to reapply. Despite a minor concern some might have about reapplicants, the chance to illustrate your progress and resilience far outweighs it. For a stronger reapplication, actively seek out detailed feedback on your prior attempts. Focus on rectifying any shortcomings identified and highlight new achievements or experiences since your last application. Showcasing your growth in both personal and professional spheres can significantly strengthen your reapplication. Revise your essays to better communicate your enthusiasm for the program and its alignment with your future ambitions. Incorporate details of further interactions with the school community, like engaging with alumni or attending school-related events, to reinforce your fit for the program.

Your essays should also reflect on how you've navigated past challenges and matured since your previous application. Highlight your readiness to contribute uniquely to the program and your proactive approach to becoming an integral part of the school's ecosystem. Demonstrating a heightened level of self-reflection and a deep understanding of the program's value to your career will enhance your reapplication. In the process of reapplying, also emphasize any new skills or knowledge you've acquired, perhaps through online courses or professional advancements. Admissions panels look favorably upon applicants who are committed to their personal and professional growth.

In essence, approaching your reapplication with a well-thought-out strategy can be advantageous. Leverage feedback to make necessary improvements, accentuate your development, and reiterate your authentic enthusiasm for the program. Showing that you've viewed each application cycle as an opportunity for self-improvement can make you a standout candidate. In case you are looking to finance your MBA journey, reach out to GyanDhan here.