Calling Chicago GSB 2008 applicants

Nice explanation, rhyme.

My app status just changed to "Complete"

Max when did you submit your app? Mine still says received..

I submitted on 1/9. My second recommendation was submitted on 1/14.

That is probably true, but as rhyme already said, big tech firms will target GSB and Kellogg because of their name and strong students. But if your heart is set on tech, Haas, Stanford, and MIT will be better choices. I know Haas has a lot of tech conferences (not just your 1 or 2 per year ones) that address all sorts of tech. I was there for a consumer electronics "fair" once and it was pretty fun!

It probably has alot to do with what position you want. If you want a finance position GSB may provide better opportunities than Haas. If you are aiming for a marketing position, then Kellogg will probably have an advantage over MIT. Location helps but companies are becoming more global, and a school that is famous for a particular area probably will have a big advantage over schools no matter the location.

True, though there is also the argument that if the school's brand name is good, and you're a career switcher, you should try the school that's NOT famous for that field. For example, go to Kellogg if you want to switch into finance, or go to GSB to switch into marketing, etc. Less competition for you, since at GSB, you'll have to compete against all the very experienced and strong finance people, and similar for marketing.

As for tech, it may make sense to go to Kellogg/GSB if you want less competition, since a lot of people at Haas will be doing tech. The downside is slightly less exposure.

But I think any of the UE/E schools will be good, provided they're decent at your field. Fit is probably the most important.

I honestly believe that trying to "play" the game - go to GSB for marketing, or go to X for Y or whatever is a fruitless exercise. For all you know, GSB might get 30 people interested in marketing who are super strong - and they apply for all the same jobs you do. Or they might not apply to any of the jobs you apply to. There's just far far too many variables to categorically say that going to X instead of Y if you want to do Z actually gives you a leg up. Moreover, at the end of the day, at any school, if Google shows up, you are gonna get a lot of people - qualified and not - throwing in applications. In other words - at least within the UE's I wouldn't worry too much about this kind of stuff. The name opens all the doors you want -- and no matter which school you go to -- there will be people (and probably several people) who are smarter, more accomplished, more professional, more capable, more polished and more prepared than you are anyway. Banking on your classmates being comparatively weak is a sure fire way to end up in trouble.

Well, to each their own.

But as I said, in the end, it's where you feel most comfortable that matters. That's why I'm saying that you should NOT just choose GSB because you want to do finance or Kellogg because you want to do marketing, even if you feel that there is no "fit." I'm advocating that if you find the right "fit" at a UE (and some Elite) school, then go there, and just worry about the strengths or weaknesses.

Otherwise, I would not be considering Haas for tech, since everyone and their mother there is probably interested in tech.

Agreed, and I was just arguing the flipside of that coin. Were talking the same thing methinks. Tomato. Tomato.

yeah, I think after re-reading what you wrote, we're saying the same thing.

Either way, I'd be very very very happy with either a Haas or Kellogg admit, no matter what they're strong in!

Thanks rhyme! If all these companies are hiring, that's great...yeah, the student did tell me about the trip to the west coast too. Plus if I wanted to join a smaller start-uppy company, I know I will have to rely on my contacts/network more than the school.

And good discussion all of you. I agree, fit is most important.

So interview invites start on the 23rd?

Do they? I don't know... feeling anxious?

Yeah. According to the GSB Chat.

G-407106649__Guest_: Dear Ted, my name is Luiz, I live in Brazil, and it is a pleasure to participate in this chat with you. I applied for Chicago GSB and would like to know when you are starting to release interview appointments.

Joanne: Hi Luiz, I'll take your question. Round 2 invitations to interview will begin to be released next week on January 23rd. We'll release these decisions on a rolling basis through February 20th. These are released in random order.

Heh. Am definitely feeling anxious. Got dinged all around, Chicago GSB is the one that I want most, but it's my final fantasy. So hopefully, fingers crossed, I'll get an interview and an admit.

Ya my wife is really hoping I get into Chicago GSB. She doesn't fancy Ann Arbor.

My wife didn't even let me apply to Ross last year. I feel ya.

Looks like all the wives love Chicago. My wife is rooting me for me to get into GSB or Kellogg as well...