Re-Applying After an Unsuccessful Year

Question

I had an unsuccessful 1st round admissions experience, despite excellent grades from a top-5 undergrad institution, a very high GMAT, work experience at an employer that routinely sends people at my level to top MBA programs, and tons of volunteer experience. I am trying to reflect on what went wrong during the application process, but I sincerely have no idea. I am concerned that there may be some intangible factor that I'm not aware of. I've tried asking my recommenders, but they were surprised at my rejections and aren't sure what went wrong either. Does anyone have any advice on how to best reflect and determine what I need to improve? I understand the process is very competitive, but I thought I'd at least get in *somewhere.*

chromium73 · Answer

Don't lose hope. I got swept in 2011 with good stats (magna cum laude Ivy, 700+ GMAT), and you can see from my profile things turned out better this year. Sit on it for a month, and do some self-reflection. For me I realized the job I previously had was inconsistent with my career goals. It took me switching jobs for my story to really make sense. I know this is painful, I was absolutely devastated in 2011, but just understand this is a process and a game.

DefyingGravity · Answer

Sorry to hear things haven't gone as well as hoped for you. Did you thoroughly research all of the schools where you applied? What were your career goals? Did you tell a compelling story? Did you get interview invites, and then a ding? Or were you dinged w/o an interview? Are you from an over-represented population?

There's no way to really know what went wrong, but starting to answer some of these questions may help to determine your re-application strategy.

There's no way to really know what went wrong, but starting to answer some of these questions may help to determine your re-application strategy.

CityLights · Answer

Thanks for your advice.

There was 1 program that I realized was not a great fit after I visited campus and would not re-apply to next year, but several others that I thought were really excellent fits. I spent a lot of time on the essays, researching the schools (spending a lot of vacation time and money to visit them all in person), reflecting on my goals, etc. In fact, one interview even ended in the interviewer telling me that he thought that program was the best fit for me (which I had thought was a good thing). I don't think I'm overrepresented, although not really underrepresented either. I did not use any consulting services, although I had a friend look over my applications, and he thought they were well-written and convincing. I'm not sure if it was a case of being close but just not quite good enough, or if there was some red flag that I should be aware of and need to correct.

CMcAboy · Answer

Have you thought about applying to any other schools in round 2?

CityLights · Answer

I applied to all the programs that interested me in round 1. There are a few top programs that I did not apply to for specific reasons, but to be honest I'd rather stay at my current job than go to a program that isn't a good fit.

Re-Applying After an Unsuccessful Year

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