I got rejected by 7 Business schools and waitlisted by 1. This has been a roller coaster journey of my deferred MBA application with a cinematic ending.
2022The Prelude: A Dream DeferredJanuary: I stumbled upon the deferred MBA program, and I casually started my GMAT preparations, confident that my impressive academic record and college leadership experience would pave the way.
May : I took a detour while pursuing an internship at Goldman Sachs.
September: After securing a PPO from GS, I became more relaxed and resumed my GMAT prep, albeit somewhat passively.
The First Shock: A Crushing 710December 21st: As the year drew to a close, I decided to take the GMAT plunge. Intense preparation, long hours, and high hopes culminated in my first official attempt - a disheartening 710. The stark reality set in - the schools I aimed for had a median GMAT score of around 730.
2023The Perseverance Phase: Against All OddsJanuary: Determined to overcome the GMAT hurdle, I dedicated two more months to preparation. Mock tests hinted at a breakthrough, with scores oscillating between 750 and 760. Hope was rekindled as I approached my second attempt.
February 17th: My second GMAT attempt, with unwavering confidence, ended in yet another devastating 710. The roller coaster of emotions took its toll.
February 26th: With one final shot in mind for March, I decided to take a practice GMAT test before that. Amidst panic and self-doubt throughout the exam, convinced I was failing miserably. The outcome was a shocking 740.
The Race Against Time: The Application MarathonMarch 15th: Exhausted from GMAT struggles, I realized the clock was ticking on MBA applications. Weeks turned into frenzied months, with over 60 hours per week spent meticulously crafting essays, seeking feedback, conducting informational interviews, and perfecting application forms.
April: One by one I submitted all the applications, in total 8.
The Beginning of the End: The Booth InterviewApril 28th: I received an interview invitation from Booth. Naively, I anticipated more interview calls and underestimated the significance of this opportunity.
May 8th: Booth Interview went below average because I panicked with unprepared questions.
The Rejection Avalanche: A Catastrophic Series of SetbacksMay 15th: Rejection from MIT Sloan.
May 16th: Rejection from Columbia.
May 25th: Double rejections from Stanford and Wharton.
May 30th: Rejection from Harvard.
June 23rd: Rejection from Haas.
A Flicker of Hope: The Kellogg InterviewMay 26th: A thin ray of hope emerged as I secured a Kellogg interview. However, the initial elation was met with reality checks from my previous failures. I couldn't afford to take this lightly.
June 8th: With a newfound determination, I embarked on extensive interview preparation for Kellogg. Armed with mock interviews and a well-rehearsed script, I entered the interview room. Confidence radiated from me, and the interview went remarkably well. I had hope again.
Ultimate D-Day (Decision Day): Battling Despair and Clinging to Kellogg's LifelineJuly 15th: Rejection from Booth after Interview added to the growing list of failures, amplifying the weight of despair.
July 28th: A flicker of hope in the form of a Kellogg waitlist was all that remained. But the grim reality of a mere 6% conversion rate from the waitlist just made me give up completely.
The Twist: A Surprise Kellogg AdmittanceAugust 22nd: As life settled into a routine in Hyderabad, working diligently at Goldman Sachs and finding solace in a 3 BHK flat within a gated society, an unforeseen crisis emerged. One of my flatmates abruptly decided to leave. We had recently moved in, and the deposit was still unpaid. We were going to get kicked out next morning. And then, in the midst of this turmoil, destiny delivered an unexpected twist. I received an email bearing the words, "Congratulations on your admittance to Kellogg!" It was the worst possible time for such good news. The threat of being ejected from our new home loomed large, and the chaos was palpable. However, I couldn't help but celebrate this remarkable culmination of my deferred MBA journey.
Every story need not have a happy ending but this one surely does. I am deeply grateful to Kellogg School of Management for granting me the opportunity to pursue a deferred MBA.
Here are some of the materials I used for my GMAT Prep:
GMATClub
Forum quizTTPAll free mock tests
Official guideOfficial mock 1,2,3,4,5,6
Hope you get into your dream school!!
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07 Sep 2023, 13:32
Too much effort again applying in a few years. 
