NonYankee wrote:
You sound like a man after my own heart. In fact, you sound a lot like me.
After undergrad I did an accelerated master's at the same university. I didn't need to take the GRE to get in, but I took it just for fun (no prep) and got 800 Q/670 V. After grad school I realized I didn't really want to take the engineering jobs available to me at the time (in 2009, it was pretty slim pickings). I decided to do Peace Corps for 2 years, during which time I heard about management consulting for the first time and fell in love. I thought that consulting for the nonprofit/public sectors would be amazing. The trouble is, it's notoriously difficult to break in to the industry for an early-career applicant not applying through a target school. You know that.
My Peace Corps service was scheduled to wrap up in November, leaving me with a really awkward schedule (just like you!): I'd have to apply to b-schools in round 1 prior to my return to the states, then wait until the following fall to start classes (assuming I get in!). Well it turned out that I didn't get into the three schools I applied to round 1. As you've probably deduced, I applied to those schools without visiting, as I was abroad. You probably won't face that hurdle. But in round 2 I was accepted. I think there were a few differences. For one, I had the benefit of visiting campuses. Also, I had the benefit of my previous failed applications/interviews. And also, I had an additional position on my resume, thought it was only an (ongoing) internship that I began upon the end of Peace Corps. My takeaway is that I suggest you apply in round 1 and 2, putting your top choices in round 2, and also shoot to find a job following your current contract. If you get a job, it will improve your chances of admission because your resume will be stronger, you will appear more desirable to schools, and you will have more stories during your interviews (assuming you've started your new job by the time you interview). Also, it could give you more options for recommendation-writers and money in your pocket. There is also the possibility that you will enjoy your job so much that you will choose to defer your acceptance to the following year, and after a year, your new employer will love you so much that they will sponsor you.
Also, there is the possibility that you won't be accepted, so the job would be good to have. No offense intended, I'm just trying to be realistic.
Thanks for the great insight. I really am in the same spot you had been...
So I understand u applied to H/S/W in the first round? If you don't mind me asking, what do you think was the biggest reason why u didn't get accepted? Were you dinged after interviews? Also, you mentioned that visiting the campus made a lot of difference in applying, but exactly in what ways did it make a difference (exposure to the adcom, motivation, better understanding of the school's curriculum, or etc..)
once again, thanks for the great help!