Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 08:52 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 08:52
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

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

Track
Your Progress

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

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
saeedt
User avatar
Joined: 06 Feb 2011
Last visit: 28 Mar 2012
Posts: 170
Own Kudos:
47
 [1]
Given Kudos: 57
Affiliations: University of Tehran
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Grad GPA: 4
Concentration: Marketing
Schools: BU
GMAT 1: 680 Q45 V38
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Retail: E-commerce)
Schools: BU
GMAT 1: 680 Q45 V38
Posts: 170
Kudos: 47
 [1]
Is "fit" so important? 16 Mar 2011, 04:10
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
hi all,

I’m informed about the importance of fit. I have left aside, for instance, Cornel since the dominant stream underlying faculty research is psychology while my interests include quantitative issues like pricing.

But, I feel guilty if I'm a bit oversensitive about it You know, Cornel is not the only dream school I’ve turned a blind eye just for this “fit” reason while other factors, including the state, weather, accommodation, etc may be very desirable in these “unfit” schools. My question is that is “fit” a big enough issue to totally leave out a school for lacking it?

what is the cut point between fit/unfit? Is it sufficient to say a school is unfit for you just because there's no prof there with the same interests as you?

Thanks
User avatar
Praetorian
User avatar
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Last visit: 27 Dec 2017
Posts: 2,868
Own Kudos:
1,705
 [1]
Given Kudos: 781
Posts: 2,868
Kudos: 1,705
 [1]
Is "fit" so important? 12 Apr 2011, 03:57
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The cut off point, if any, will be determined by your undergrad GPA, the courses you have taken, and GMAT scores. Keep an open mind about what you want to work on for your Ph.D. Many faculty will let you pursue your research interests, which may change as you take more classes, meet more people and attend a couple of conferences.

Many a time, the university will make the decision on fit for you. Ph.D. admissions are just like any other hiring process. Your expertise is matched against departmental requirements. A school may gets 100 applications of which only 2-3 Ph.D. students are admitted. Look up tenure track appointments of recent graduates, review their research focus and their background. If recent graduates have backgrounds too dissimilar from yours, chances are you are not a good fit for the Ph.D. program.
User avatar
saeedt
User avatar
Joined: 06 Feb 2011
Last visit: 28 Mar 2012
Posts: 170
Own Kudos:
47
Given Kudos: 57
Affiliations: University of Tehran
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Grad GPA: 4
Concentration: Marketing
Schools: BU
GMAT 1: 680 Q45 V38
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Retail: E-commerce)
Schools: BU
GMAT 1: 680 Q45 V38
Posts: 170
Kudos: 47
Is "fit" so important? 12 Apr 2011, 23:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Praetorian,

Thanks a lot for the reply and kudos to you. But my question is how important fit is. Please reread my explanation above
User avatar
Praetorian
User avatar
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Last visit: 27 Dec 2017
Posts: 2,868
Own Kudos:
1,705
Given Kudos: 781
Posts: 2,868
Kudos: 1,705
Is "fit" so important? 13 Apr 2011, 01:45
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
saeedt
Praetorian,

Thanks a lot for the reply and kudos to you. But my question is how important fit is. Please reread my explanation above
Show more

Fit is extremely important and that should not surprise anyone. What matters on graduation is letters of recommendation from faculty who have worked with you for 4-5 years. Unless I publish in your area of interest and/ or I am a co-author on your papers, it will be hard for me to write your recommendation because it will be harder for anyone to believe me.
Moderator:
said.tojiboev
PhD Forum Moderator
65 posts