Quarterly Report - How are we doing?

Question

Ideas, criticisms, feature requests - please let us know.

Anyone else want to document their experiences on the wiki is welcome to do so.

maverick2011 · Answer

I copied this from a post I made under a different topic.

zakk · Answer

i've tried to fill out information on my wiki (is this even possible) and can't seem to edit or add anything. Is this for mod's only? If not, its hard to find the correct area to edit.

kryzak · Answer

I would second the push for a Peer Review sub-forum.

isa · Answer

I'll third that request

Also, I think it would be handy if there was a way to display someone's status in the b-school admit cycle under their username. So for instance, for me since I'm going to apply this fall, under ac8706 it would say "applying". For someone who's a current student, it would say "1st year". I think it would help add additional context to various posts...if that's not feasible, an alternative would be to have that as part of the user's public profile....

riverripper · Answer

Well the peer review forum is pretty much beat to death but I have an idea that may be a good idea for the very first page. with all the sub forums listed.

At the top I think it would be nice to have a place for mods/admins to post, either whether there is a random chat or a scheduled chat (along with subject or school a chat is aimed at). Right now its pretty slow around here but in a few months when it starts to pick up it would be a good thing to see. I am sure that a lot of folks never really even look at certain forums but might be curious to stop by a chat.

Since I think with so many people going to different schools we will probably be able to schedule some chats before deadlines for those of us at a specific program to answer questions on our school. It might even be possible to get some adcoms to come by and answer questions. So someone who doesnt go to the application area but sticks with the gmat section they may see a scheduled chat and want to stop by. We could also add an area for transcripts from these chats much like accepted.com but more informal and in the evening not mid-day to allow more participation.

As for ac's idea of having some more info in profiles, that is good idea but let me point out that 90% of the frequent posters have avatars that point to where they are going whether its a football player painted with michigan or a boat named the northwestern...thats one way to figure out where students are going.

isa · Answer

That's a good point river - the other 10% are the ones where it's a bit harder to figure out their spot in the cycle...I think I should just read the profile threads a bit more carefully :-D

cheers, ac.

riverripper · Answer

It wouldnt be bad to have something like School X 1st or 2nd, or applicant, alum...under names on the left side of the screen.

kryzak · Answer

interesting idea RR about the scheduled chat. It's a good idea, though I don't know if we have the "clout" to have formal chats with adcoms yet. I know most schools have regular chats on their own webpages and some with the bigger consultants (Stacy, Accepted, etc...). I think we can definitely get a few current students who were GMATClub "graduates" to come back and try to answer questions and that would be of good help for next year's applicants.

I truly think we need to be able to input some more information on ourselves in our Avatar "window". Things like our concentration/goals, age (optional), school we're going to, GMAT/GPA and where we're from might be useful "basic" info that goes along with each post we make.

Ozmba · Answer

Paid consulting services by gmatclub....

How about gmatclub providing a platform where Active Members offer their consulting services for a fee...

Gmatclub should provide a payment gateway( Paypal etc ) ,a rating system etc

dabots · Answer

i think rhyme runs a business that does this. myadmit is it?

riverripper · Answer

I am sure that some people from last year might be willing to review essays for small donations and some might help out of the goodness of their hearts. Personally I will probably help a few Kellogg folks, mainly people that are frequent contributors, ie the people replacing us as the ones with way too much time on their hands on here.

kryzak · Answer

having a more "formal" area for GMATClub consultants would be nice, but I don't know if there are ramifications of doing that which Praetorian might not like.

But like river, I think many of us would probably be willing to help a la "rhyme style" (for beer/coffee fund donations). And of course, the more someone contributes to the site, the more likely we'll help for free. (plus if you are applying to Haas, you are already on my good side

)

Ozmba · Answer

yeah i know that..But the problem with myadmit.com is

1. It lacks visibility, gmatclub attracts so many users. The site is ranked number 1 in the google search index..when any one who types gmat forums land on this ..

2. There is no way to find how good the reviewer is 
a. for example, any one who searches for posts by rhyme,ncprasad or lepium etc can see their history of contribution, their knowledge on the business school process and how active they are..

3. Myadmit focus is on current students, idea is good but the first year students hardly have the time to go through this...But on gmatclub the crowd of current admits can do a good business before they head to the school...

I have few more points but i hope i conveyed the point

I hope Praet will think about this

riverripper · Answer

Kelloggs essays just were released so if you get to work fast and have some rough drafts going I have time to help now...not sure how things will be come this fall. I can at least give some guidance on how positioning your candidacy.

I think the issue with this site becoming a consultancy is they will be responsible for how it turns out and if individual reviewers (consultants) do a poor job it reflects unfairly on this site. Can leave it up to individuals to determine how they want to help. I am sure many of us who offer to help wont turn down small cash donations to our tuition funds.

Ozmba · Answer

I don't think so...

Look at the example of Math tests, I and many of my friends paid 79$ to get access to these tests...It makes good business sense. Genuine Contributors got the access for free and inactive users who choose to benefit from the club paid for the questions...

ncp · Answer

Oz, Now that we are unemployed or tending towards unemployment, a lot of us matriculating MBAs would be willing to review essays for a small donation. Just PM folks and see if they can help you.

Ozmba · Answer

Dude, I am suggesting this feature for FUTURE applicants....Just some brainstorming ....

riverripper · Answer

But those challenges are done, they dont have to create them or have people grade them. I am saying if you have current students acting as consultants what do you think will be their priority...an upcoming exam or job interview preps, or some applicants essays? Now if Praet hired professional consultants thats one thing but then the cost would be prohibitive for most applicants. Its not a bad idea just the issues that would come along with it are a lot more than selling existing tests.

rhyme · Answer

One model could be for people to create an application resource or school resource - say for instance, someone takes the time to write up a 50 page document on a school - details about the program, ranking, culture, contact information for key student groups (eg who are the co-chairs of the IBG group), etc etc etc .... and gmatclub sells it for $10 as an e-book or similar. Then, gmatclub retains $5 and the writer gets $5.

As for myadmit, the above poster is spot on - the problem has been that first year students just dont have time. Make no mistake about it, fully 50 or 60% of you will sign off completely next year and never return. Its sad but true.

In any case, I think the b-school area has grown exceptionally well -- when myself and the others started it up we had only a few posts and it now has more posts than Share Your GMAT Experience. I suspect its the fastest growing section of gmatclub these days.

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