Q&A: 9 Questions with msdayMatriculating @: HBS - Class of 2011
GMAT: 790msday, is a
legend @ Gclub. During the Fall 2009 Application season, he
swept every single school that he applied to - including HBS, Stanford, Wharton, MIT and Cornell.
msday makes bschool application process easy. In fact, msday is the only survivor of
MIT R1 massacre at GMATClub forum - an event where just about every other applicant in R1 got rejected from MIT. We all knew back then, that we should get in line and get msday's
autograph (and also make him a Facebook buddy).... This autograph's value will
skyrocket in the next 10 years, and I am banking my
retirement plan on it.... Oh eBay, here I come.
Msday, congrats on HBS admit (among many other admits this app season). Some say that you are the best thing that happened to HBS since they came up with "Case-Method" curriculum. Are you as handsome as they say? Thank you, nink. I am unfortunately not that good-looking, but I make up for it with my general niceness.Indeed, anyone who agrees to this interview is almost Mother-Teresa-ish. You applied to some of the most competitive schools in the nation and swept them all. What factors made your application so attractive in the eyes of the adcoms?In my opinion, GPA and GMAT, while important, can't really be influenced past a certain point. If you have a 3.4, you can't change it, and if you have a 700 GMAT, you can't fix that either. So I spent a lot of time researching schools, while also working hard on my essays and on my general positioning strategy. I think that time paid off in the end!Your GMAT score was god-like. I mean, god-LIKE!!! Are you disappointed that you didn't score perfect 800? I heard that you didn't even study for your GMAT.Lol. I am not disappointed...I did study for the GMAT, although I couldn't put too much time into it. I was pleasantly surprised with my score - I thought I'd make it over the 700 mark, but did not expect a 790.What weighs more on one's bschool application in your opinion? GMAT score, UG GPA, extra curricular activities, career progression, career goals, essays, or GMATclub avatar?Like I said earlier, GMAT and GPA are fixed, so you can't really change them. I think most important are your essays and recommendations. In the end, business is about people, and business schools admit people, not numbers. That's why so many high GPA/high GMAT people don't succeed in the admissions process. I would recommend getting involved in extracurricular activities - if for nothing else, they help you lead a more well-rounded life, and I really think that helps your personal satisfaction level. I think career goals are important (they're a subset of Essays, really) because adcoms want to know that you are realistic about your goals and know why you are applying to business schools.
All that being said, it seems clear to me that GMATclub avatar seems to impact admissions the most If I buy a HBS hoody, would you autograph it?I am more likely to steal it from you as I will be in deep debt and probably very cold as soon as November comes around.What's your goal after MBA? Do you want to rule the world? You have a stiff competition from Stewie (Family Guy), and Brain (Pinky and the Brain). How will you beat them?I want to do MC, then general management at a F50 company. Now, I am about 80% sure that this is the path I will ultimately choose. This seems to be the way it goes for most recent admits. I don't think I could defeat Stewie. Brain, on the other hand, seems like the kind of guy who can talk the big game but can't play it. I feel good about my chances against him.Unfortunately, you've met zoinnk in person. My condolences.... Why does zoinnk hate Harvard so much?zoinnk is a very cool guy. He went to Harvard undergrad, and has lived in Boston for longer than recommended. A change of scenery is going to do him wonders, and I think he's going to enjoy Wharton and its amenities very much!I heard a rumor that HBS plans on re-naming the business school after you in the near future. Any truth to that?I will pay you $100 if HBS ever removes "Harvard" from its name.If you can give an advice to the next msday of GMATclub, what would it be?Stay nervous and stay hungry. Take every part of the application process very seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously. Listen to any free advice with a grain of salt. If you are going to use a consultant, make sure you talk to folks who have been through recent admissions cycles as they will know the process best. Lastly, don't forget to thank the people who got you here.