Safe school or reapply next year?

It really depends. What do you want to do after b school? Also, your GMAT is very good. I wouldn't think it alone kept you out.

Can you mention the schools you applied to? That will make it easier for people trying to assess your situation. Also, what are your career goals post-MBA? You have to consider whether your safety school will provide ample opportunities for you in that particular field.

It depends is the right answer. Realistically, if this schools is the best option that you have and there are not going to be many changes to your profile in the coming year, then think hard about it and think of ways to make the most of this experience. If you can change your profile, expand your list of schools and improve the quality of your application, then you might consider foregoing this experience that you do not sound so inspired by and try again next year. However, there are so many complicated factors that go into this decision. Just realize that business school is just one aspect of your future career and I am sure that if you are motivated that no matter where you go, many opportunities will be presented to you.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

Thanks guys for the help. I was admitted to Emory and declined by HBS and MIT. My short-term CG is to switch my career and find a better job (I'm not very into my current business and have been demotivated by the company culture/bias towards a non-native). I'm also looking forward to starting up my own company in the next 3 years. Really not sure if it's worth struggling another year in my current job and starting all over for a better school (not trying to be offensive, Emory is a great school!) I wish I had applied more schools so that have more choices.

Your career goals sound pretty vague at this point (not that there's anything wrong with that!). I'd suggest taking a look at the Emory employment report to see whether you'd like to work for the companies that typically hire from there. Keep in mind, too, that Emory is a more regional school than HBS and Sloan. Would you be happy working and living in Atlanta after school?

If you're on the younger side, I don't see anything wrong with passing up Emory to go to a school you really want to be at. At the end of the day, you only get to do this once, so make sure you end up somewhere you'll be happy. If you decide to pass on Emory, do some research and find schools that will meet your personal and professional goals. HBS/Sloan then Emory, seems like an odd combo. There's more to MBA programs then rankings.

Yeah I think the problem was you applied to two schools in the top 5 and then to Emory which is a top 20 school. You should include a few like Ross, Darden and Duke if you want to reapply next year.