2008 Applicants - Where are you with the Apps?

Good stuff - gotta add to my checklist (and get started)!



Okay. Essays are critical to your application. Its a good idea to get cracking! Start off with generic ideas like - Why you want to do an MBA (Your career goals etc.), Why the specific schools you are applying to, Teamwork/Leadership examples, etc.

Regards,
Paddy

-I'm done with the GMAT
-I have an appointment for the TOEFL in july
-I'm nearly finished reading Montauk's and Bodine's books
-Gathering work history/bio data in progress
-Not started writing essays
-Not contacted recommenders yet (and I really HATE asking for recos... )
-Trying to make up my mind re schools to apply to: Stanford (100%), Harvard (60%), Wharton (70%), Haas (90%), Stern (90%), Chicago (80%), Kellogg (40%), Columbia (30%). I'm hoping to narrow down the list to 5 schools.

- Done with TOEFL

- Done with GMAT

- Contacting recommenders, contacted school for transcripts

- Not started on the essays at all

- Not even close to completing my research on schools to target (Except that I know I am going to target H/S/W). Either I won't try anywhere else this year or I'll add two more schools for R2

- Introspection process ongoing. Needless to say that a not-so-striking profile like mine can never be sure of an admit in the top 3. But I can't convince myself to not even try!! My problem is that, in case I don't get into the top 3, which option is better for me: (a) Go to a full-time MBA, even if it's not from the top 3 (b) Go to a top ranked (Read Chicago or Berkeley) part-time MBA program and continue adding value to myself at work too. Hopefully this introspection process will get me an answer to that question.

Good luck everyone. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster.

that's the main reason why im doing all this!

And boys... if you have friends... you might want to hang out with them now cause in a few months you wont have time.

You guys are awesome! This was me at this time last year:

I should totally think about that GMAT thing...I think i'm gonna buy a book (GMAT taken in Nov and Dec)

Well, I went to Cornell to visit....should I visit other schools? Gosh, I could go visit Tim in Dartmouth.
(Never went to Dartmouth; visited two other schools I didn't apply to and didn't visit the other three I did apply to)

I should really take a stats class...I wish I knew that stuff....huh...
(Taking it now)

Keep at it, guys.

- Done with GMAT
- Done with TOEFL (awaiting score)
- Introspection: Ongoing
- School research/selection: Ongoing
- Essays: BIG FAT 0
- Reccomenders: Formally solicited from one (yay!), have yet to speak mention B-school to the other

Paddy, you are already started with your essays?! Holy SH*T!

I totally agree... Just chill - after you have taken your GMAT, go and enjoy - ts relatively early to work on essays!

Well, there's not so much difference between the so called top 3, i.e. Harvard / Stanford / Wharton and the "next 4". Together they make the Ultra Elite Cluster and there's no objective data (other than prestige or perceived "eliteness") to quantify differences. Maybe Harvard and Stanford are in a league of their own, maybe it's just hype, I don't know. But for sure, in objective terms, there are no significant differences. If I were you, I would include the rest (Chicago, MIT, Kellogg, Columbia) in the same category.

Cheers. L.

I agree, these guys are way ahead. Last year this time I was just starting to prepare for GMAT (taken mid September, followed by TOEFL late September). Essays and the rest took from October to December (split between R1 and R2).

L.

- Done with Toefl and IELTS;
- Want to improve GMAT, so will take once more, probably the first august week;
- Visited one school, and went to some info sessions of others;
- Have a pool of recommenders, so they will not have much work ;
- Start doing some essays (goal and 5 years perspective) for the 3 top dream schools;
- Talking to my employers to see whether or not they will sponsor me;
- Preparing myself for the anxiety and hair loss I will have during the worst part of the process: the waiting part.

Other than that, still going to gym, drinking some beer with friends during weekend and working hard, let's see how can I support!!!

My first post was on the 23rd of May. Today is the 4th of June. I'm still 'starting with my Leadership/Teamwork essays'

Trying to research my schools in depth (when I'm not nodding off, that is)... so much for an early start

I also started on the "Who am I? Why MBA?" .. I am still at gathering points, introspecting, taking notes etc. MAN !! Now I am realizing what a horribly long and tiring this application process is going to be !!!

same here!!

You forgot 'competitive'




I know exactly what you mean. Even I thought I had tons of time when I was done with my GMAT. Now BANG! If I don't move along pretty soon, my 'head start' will be nothing more than a completely useless, pleasant memory...

Are you sure you don't need some more beer? Thats quite a schedule! I gotta get started on the gym