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doggdetroit
27 Dec 2010, 15:07
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Hello,
I took the GMAT for a 5th time on December 18th, and I managed to get the 700 score that I was desparately striving for. I thought that I would have enough time to work on applications for the upcoming round 2 deadlines, but because of work obligations, spending Christmas with my family, and being out of the country for New Year's, I have not had much free time nor will I have much free time before the deadlines arrive. Therefore, instead of putting together a half assed application package, I have decided to apply for round 3. Here is my thinking...
This whole GMAT / MBA road has been a long one, almost a year and a half to be exact. I took a MGMAT prep course in July of 2009, and my first GMAT attempt was in November of 2009. I was determined to get a higher score so I postponed round 2 applications for fall 2010. After a second attempt fell short, I decided to postpone round 3 for fall 2010, and apply for fall 2011. After my 3rd and 4th attempts fell short, I passed on round 1 of this year's deadlines. I originally scheduled my 5th attempt for before Thanksgiving, but I was feeling uncomfortable, and pushed it back to December 6th. Because I did not get any studying done over Thanksgiving, I pushed it back yet again, this time to the 18th. I finally got the much needed score, without which, there would be no admission to any reputable school. The bottom line, is that I've waited and waited and waited. Waiting another year, for round 1 for fall 2012, is simply not an option.
(As a side note, why do schools even have round 3 deadlines if it is so difficult to gain admittance? Why not have two rounds and be done with it? In my situation, I'm not waiting until the last minute nor am I applying to schools as a last resort because I didn't get in elsewhere. I delayed applying earlier because I needed to get a higher GMAT score, without which I would have no shot at admission. I've got the score, why should I have to wait another year?)
Anyway, sorry for the rant, but I would like to apply to about 4-5 of the following schools:
NYU (could probably apply round 2)
Michigan*
North Carolina
Texas (could probably apply round 2)
Georgetown
Emory (could probably apply round 2)
Wisconsin (could probably apply round 2)
Vanderbilt
*Michigan is my dream school, and if accepted, I would enroll in a heartbeat. In fact, part of the reason I'm delaying this process until round 3, is because I'm probably not going to be able to make Michigan's round 2 deadline, (January 5th,) in time.
Profile:
Sex: Male
Age upon start of MBA program: 29
Years of work experience: 5+ in commercial banking
Education: The College of Wooster, graduated in 2004
Extracurriculars:
-4 year letter winner, Men's Lacrosse
-Studied abroad in Spain
-Contributor to student newspaper
GPA: 2.716
Major: English
GMAT: 700 (90%), 45Q (72%), 40V (89%)
*Clearly my GPA is lower than most schools' 80% range. Sadly, I did not take school very seriously back then, but it is what it is. I have since taken a couple of college level courses post college to help alleviate some concerns and I plan on addressing this in the optional essay.
**My letters of recommendation won't be terrible, but they won't be great. I do feel that I could put together excellent essays, if I devote enough time to them. The only other negative would be volunteer experience, of which I have had almost zero since college. The only type of volunteer experience that schools may be looking for is the fact that I am a "big brother" to a few kids from low income familes near my hometown. This started as a summer job during college, but I have since maintained communication with a couple of them, and I make a point to see them and help them out as best as I can whenever I am home for the holidays. Other than this, I'm screwed when it comes to volunteer experience.
I would be interested in hearing what my chances are. Thanks for reading.
I took the GMAT for a 5th time on December 18th, and I managed to get the 700 score that I was desparately striving for. I thought that I would have enough time to work on applications for the upcoming round 2 deadlines, but because of work obligations, spending Christmas with my family, and being out of the country for New Year's, I have not had much free time nor will I have much free time before the deadlines arrive. Therefore, instead of putting together a half assed application package, I have decided to apply for round 3. Here is my thinking...
This whole GMAT / MBA road has been a long one, almost a year and a half to be exact. I took a MGMAT prep course in July of 2009, and my first GMAT attempt was in November of 2009. I was determined to get a higher score so I postponed round 2 applications for fall 2010. After a second attempt fell short, I decided to postpone round 3 for fall 2010, and apply for fall 2011. After my 3rd and 4th attempts fell short, I passed on round 1 of this year's deadlines. I originally scheduled my 5th attempt for before Thanksgiving, but I was feeling uncomfortable, and pushed it back to December 6th. Because I did not get any studying done over Thanksgiving, I pushed it back yet again, this time to the 18th. I finally got the much needed score, without which, there would be no admission to any reputable school. The bottom line, is that I've waited and waited and waited. Waiting another year, for round 1 for fall 2012, is simply not an option.
(As a side note, why do schools even have round 3 deadlines if it is so difficult to gain admittance? Why not have two rounds and be done with it? In my situation, I'm not waiting until the last minute nor am I applying to schools as a last resort because I didn't get in elsewhere. I delayed applying earlier because I needed to get a higher GMAT score, without which I would have no shot at admission. I've got the score, why should I have to wait another year?)
Anyway, sorry for the rant, but I would like to apply to about 4-5 of the following schools:
NYU (could probably apply round 2)
Michigan*
North Carolina
Texas (could probably apply round 2)
Georgetown
Emory (could probably apply round 2)
Wisconsin (could probably apply round 2)
Vanderbilt
*Michigan is my dream school, and if accepted, I would enroll in a heartbeat. In fact, part of the reason I'm delaying this process until round 3, is because I'm probably not going to be able to make Michigan's round 2 deadline, (January 5th,) in time.
Profile:
Sex: Male
Age upon start of MBA program: 29
Years of work experience: 5+ in commercial banking
Education: The College of Wooster, graduated in 2004
Extracurriculars:
-4 year letter winner, Men's Lacrosse
-Studied abroad in Spain
-Contributor to student newspaper
GPA: 2.716
Major: English
GMAT: 700 (90%), 45Q (72%), 40V (89%)
*Clearly my GPA is lower than most schools' 80% range. Sadly, I did not take school very seriously back then, but it is what it is. I have since taken a couple of college level courses post college to help alleviate some concerns and I plan on addressing this in the optional essay.
**My letters of recommendation won't be terrible, but they won't be great. I do feel that I could put together excellent essays, if I devote enough time to them. The only other negative would be volunteer experience, of which I have had almost zero since college. The only type of volunteer experience that schools may be looking for is the fact that I am a "big brother" to a few kids from low income familes near my hometown. This started as a summer job during college, but I have since maintained communication with a couple of them, and I make a point to see them and help them out as best as I can whenever I am home for the holidays. Other than this, I'm screwed when it comes to volunteer experience.
I would be interested in hearing what my chances are. Thanks for reading.
29 Dec 2010, 17:17
Kudos
Bookmarks
Round 3 is so difficult because schools are basically filling out the last few slots in their classes. Thus, they can be extremely selective.
Like you stated in your profile, it's going to be difficult for you to get in to the top schools in round 3. I agree with addressing your GPA in the optional essays. Something like, "Over the past xx years, I took yy classes at zz school at got a (hopefully) 4.0. I chose these classes to prepare me for business school because___. When combined with my undergraduate grades, my overall GPA is (hopefully) 3._. I had a sub-3.0 GPA and retook several classes to make the grades look better. Call your undergrad registrar, they may be able to help you out there if any of the classes were duplicates.
I'll get to Ross in a minute, but because you have some issues with grades a late application, and need to go this year, consider applying somewhere a little lower ranked--maybe Michigan State or OSU if you're in the midwest and want to stay there (I know, I'm a Michigan fan too). A 700 GMAT will look much more impressive and seriously help you get in.
Ross is my dream school too. It's home, I love the Tauber Institute, and I love the atmosphere there. I've applied, interviewed, and am awaiting a Round 1 decision. I have a very average profile for Ross and am a year older than you are. Everyone I talked to told me to heavily emphasize fit in my essays. Michigan had a 71% yield rate last year, which is excellent for an MBA program and preserving that helps keep the school elite. In my career essay, I talked extensively about MAP, the Tauber Institute, and Action-Based Learning--and how each would make me a better leader and more successful after Ross. Also, I mentioned that I had family there and that they were important to my decision, finishing by saying that everything together made Ross my number 1 choice. I can't guarantee it will work, but understanding the program and emphasizing (briefly) that you'll attend should help.
As for a timing strategy, try to get an application out to a realistic school relatively quickly to get used to the process and then spend the next 6-8 weeks hammering out three excellent packages to Michigan, another school, and a safety school. Consider shelling out for an admissions consultant. You're under the gun and probably need some help to be successful.
Best of luck.
Like you stated in your profile, it's going to be difficult for you to get in to the top schools in round 3. I agree with addressing your GPA in the optional essays. Something like, "Over the past xx years, I took yy classes at zz school at got a (hopefully) 4.0. I chose these classes to prepare me for business school because___. When combined with my undergraduate grades, my overall GPA is (hopefully) 3._. I had a sub-3.0 GPA and retook several classes to make the grades look better. Call your undergrad registrar, they may be able to help you out there if any of the classes were duplicates.
I'll get to Ross in a minute, but because you have some issues with grades a late application, and need to go this year, consider applying somewhere a little lower ranked--maybe Michigan State or OSU if you're in the midwest and want to stay there (I know, I'm a Michigan fan too). A 700 GMAT will look much more impressive and seriously help you get in.
Ross is my dream school too. It's home, I love the Tauber Institute, and I love the atmosphere there. I've applied, interviewed, and am awaiting a Round 1 decision. I have a very average profile for Ross and am a year older than you are. Everyone I talked to told me to heavily emphasize fit in my essays. Michigan had a 71% yield rate last year, which is excellent for an MBA program and preserving that helps keep the school elite. In my career essay, I talked extensively about MAP, the Tauber Institute, and Action-Based Learning--and how each would make me a better leader and more successful after Ross. Also, I mentioned that I had family there and that they were important to my decision, finishing by saying that everything together made Ross my number 1 choice. I can't guarantee it will work, but understanding the program and emphasizing (briefly) that you'll attend should help.
As for a timing strategy, try to get an application out to a realistic school relatively quickly to get used to the process and then spend the next 6-8 weeks hammering out three excellent packages to Michigan, another school, and a safety school. Consider shelling out for an admissions consultant. You're under the gun and probably need some help to be successful.
Best of luck.
doggdetroit
05 Jan 2011, 09:36
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for the response, and I wish you the best of luck as well in terms of getting into Ross.
I understand why Round 3 is so difficult, I just wish that schools would not hold it against you. Just because I'm applying in Round 3 shouldn't be perceived as slight to the school or an indication that I'm not prepared. In my case, I love the University of Michigan so much that I refused to accept a lower GMAT score. The timing just didn't work out.
In terms of looking at Michigan State or Ohio State, well I'm originally from the east coast and I went to college in Ohio. I have lived in Chicago for the past 5 years and while I have enjoyed my time in the midwest, and love Chicago, I would like to experience something different for the next two years. Therefore, apart from Michigan and Wisconsin, (one of my safety schools,) I'm not really looking at any other midwestern schools. I am also a huge Michigan sports fan, and as stupid as it may seem, I could never go to school at OSU, MSU, or Notre Dame, no matter how regarded those MBA programs may be. (By the way, how do you feel about the Rich Rodriguez era finally coming to an end?)
Interesting how in your essays you talked about having family in Ann Arbor. I too have family there, and my sister, father, grandfather, and great grandfather all attended Michigan for undergrad. I never really thought about talking about it in my essays, but you make a good point in terms of talking about how Ross would be a great fit on a personal level. Do you think I should touch on this in my essays?
I understand why Round 3 is so difficult, I just wish that schools would not hold it against you. Just because I'm applying in Round 3 shouldn't be perceived as slight to the school or an indication that I'm not prepared. In my case, I love the University of Michigan so much that I refused to accept a lower GMAT score. The timing just didn't work out.
In terms of looking at Michigan State or Ohio State, well I'm originally from the east coast and I went to college in Ohio. I have lived in Chicago for the past 5 years and while I have enjoyed my time in the midwest, and love Chicago, I would like to experience something different for the next two years. Therefore, apart from Michigan and Wisconsin, (one of my safety schools,) I'm not really looking at any other midwestern schools. I am also a huge Michigan sports fan, and as stupid as it may seem, I could never go to school at OSU, MSU, or Notre Dame, no matter how regarded those MBA programs may be. (By the way, how do you feel about the Rich Rodriguez era finally coming to an end?)
Interesting how in your essays you talked about having family in Ann Arbor. I too have family there, and my sister, father, grandfather, and great grandfather all attended Michigan for undergrad. I never really thought about talking about it in my essays, but you make a good point in terms of talking about how Ross would be a great fit on a personal level. Do you think I should touch on this in my essays?
