Calling all US Military Fall 2012 Applicants!

I decided relatively recently after running across an article about social enterprise. I have a few family members and friends that have MBAs and I never really saw myself going that route, but once I recognized the potential for market mechanisms to shape positive social change, I realized that an MBA would allow me to have a greater impact than just flying in circles week after week.



I've been out since '05 and I'm applying now. Although, I'm not sure how relevant my comments will be, as my background isn't quite as impressive as most of the posters on this thread and I'm not applying to H/S/W.

Got dinged at Kelley.

All my apps are finally in. Regardless of outcome, the feeling of the "shackles coming off" is pretty great. Just a few interviews and decisions and then I can be done with the process.

todd, good luck man. Don't let these sites discourage you, it's like a portable hangout for me. For what it's worth I think the app process gets overblown, making it feel like a dissertation when it's only ~4-5 pages of essays at the end. Not to belittle the work but just to balance out the mega-load feel you might get reading around. Procrastination was the biggest chunk of my workload. I put in too much energy researching stuff and lost some steam when it came time to hunker down and just write.

mapple, I was in the NG for my entire time, at one point reaching as high as SPC, worked as an engineer for about 4 years now.

285south, gl with Tepper! No love for Krannert? GL ebonn & all the rest of you.

Thanks segfault. I just need to iron out my last few essays and I'll be done. I'm only applying to one school, so I had a relatively lighter workload.

First, I would like to thank all the contributors here and at Military to Business, the info has been super helpful and is highly appreciated.

Gonna throw my hat in with my brothers/sisters in arms as we wait for interviews or dings. Good luck to everyone!

My story in brief: USAFA with low GPA, but graduated #1 in tech school and Weapons School (AF for Top Gun). I was a fast burner but got diagnosed with a nasty cancer and survived with major disabilities. In remission since Sept, but about to get med retirement. Started GMAT study after I went into remission, and put in some apps for R2.

My questions for the group:
Any wisdom on R3? I'm not comfortable at all with my current apps given my age and GPA. Do I have a good excuse for a late CBS, Darden? Or should I aim lower?
Current studs: What's employability look like for old AF dude? Dream job is Social Enterprise Consulting at MBB/Bridgespan...
Letters of Support: i got immediate supervisors to write recs as suggested, but there are a couple 3* who know me pretty well. Would a short note from them to adcoms help or possibly detract?

Fez, I'm far from qualified to speak on the subject, but I would think an Ad-Com would be insane to fault you for applying in R3. IMHO, the other areas of your profile more than compensate for a low GPA. As long as the person reviewing your app understands how intellectually challenging flying fighters is (and not just a technical skill) I would think that you have a good shot any school. That being said, if you feel like you have a few more apps in you, a safety net is never a bad thing. Just my $.02..

i received an invite from cornell...

i heard all military candidates interview with one particular faculty member. is that what some of you experienced?

Congrats! I also received mine two weeks ago. I have a few friends who were also accepted, and we were all interviewed by the same retired LTC. So I would venture to say that's a good assumption.

Correct... at least it was last year. I was interviewed by the same retired LTC that interviewed a few friends of mine. If you haven't already, reach out to the Veterans Club, they can give you some good gouge.

Yes, it will likely be Bill Huling or Megan Andros. Megan's working in Admissions this year. She was an Army officer and is married to a current second year.

Hey guys,

First post. Lurked a tiny bit prior.

Stats:
- 4 years active / ~1 year drilling reservist Marine Officer - Logistics
- 12 mo. deployment to OIF - Iraqi Army training mission
- 3.8 GPA Ivy (non-H/Y/P)
- Finance Major
- 700 GMAT
- ~1 year post-military trading stocks at bulge bracket bank

Not feeling optimistic after reading some of the dings on here, from some impressive individuals, plus the sentiment that apps are up among us folks.

Wish everyone the best of luck in the process & echo the appreciation towards fellow veterans at aforementioned schools who helped me greatly along the way.

Waiting game begins...

i also received an interview invite for yale.... has anyone interviewed with yale yet?

for cornell, bill huling is my interviewer.... megan is my classmate from west point, which is probably why she isn't my interviewer!

I am certainly not an expert but I think with a 3.81 GPA in finance, Ivy education, and current exposure to BB banking, you'd have an excellent shot at all three of your schools. Did you apply anywhere else?

Thanks for the support! to play devils advocate on myself tho - I believe there is a bias at hbs and Stanford from what I hear altho I won't be applying there against traders as opposed to investment bankers. also the issue of why I took this job since it doesn't mesh w my ultimate vision of general management and my short time at the job. I think I attempt to address all of those issues in the essays... I just hope I did enough merit to make it to the next round and have the chance to explain further. question would he "why didn't I just get an mba right out of the corps?"

certainly my gmat wouldve been aided by a few more points...

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Sorry. no other schools. really only want to leave what I'm doing now for the right fit. maybe ill revavleuate next year if I find myself in anticipated ding city.

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Personally I wouldn't hold one year of IB post-USMC against you. In fact you could probably make a compelling argument along the lines of "I left the corps, though IB was the place for me, after doing it now I realize I need an MBA so I can move to career field X because now I know that is a better place for my interests."

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