The 2013-2014 Zero Admit Club

I dnt know whether this is a rant, or something that I truthfully want to say and share will fellow "dingers"?. I have been a silent observant on gmatclub for over 2 years now. I have taken advice/advantage of a lot of resources here, but rarely contributed, for which I apologize. But this is something I wanted to do....after I got dinged by Booth yesterday, Kellogg on Monday, and by Tuck last Friday. I have spent almost the last 2 years on things related to an MBA. Started my prep seriously in Dec 2010, with the first attempt a meager 690 followed by a 2nd attempt with a 700. While the scores weren't bad, what makes them worse is that I am an Indian.
Still, I prepared for my applications with a whole lot of zest. I spent over 6 months in analyzing my strengths and weaknesses, thought of strong points, things to mention in the essays. In July, I suffered an ACL tear and having undergone surgery in August, it was a mountain of an effort to complete my application. I just applied to 4 schools and made the sure that I gave it my very best. While my acads and GMAT score are not exceptional, my extra curriculars do make me stand out quite well, both during under-grad and the stuff I am doing now. So I was really shocked why no school would want to take me in-- I do feel I stand out well and have a lot of factors working in my favor, and I genuinely believe I have a passionate individual who has much to contribute in class.

As I brush aside the dirt and wipe the blood, I know I feel the despair, the hopelessness of having to do it all over again. I know you feel burdened by it too. But I feel that we all have this little spark inside of us. This spark that makes us uncomfortable to just sit and go through the motions at our current jobs, this spark that wants us to do better than the millions who are satisfied with their current lives.

Don't loose that spark. I know I wont. I know I do not have the option and dnt want to give up. I know that the schools that didnt take us made a big mistake. I know I am better than this... And so are you.

Keep your head up folks. I got swept two years ago and this year got into more schools than I knew what to do with.

Another addition to the zero admit club this year

Age/Gender: 26/M
GMAT Score/GPA : 760
Work Experience: [industry/years] : Construction/ 3 years
Location: India
Schools applied to: MIT (R1), Stanford (R1), Harvard (R2), ISB (R2)
Any consulting services used: [Yes/NO, Who?] Yes just for HBS - my last application this year
#Interviews: ISB only
#WL: None

Which ding hurt the most and why? -
1. MIT because I REALLY wanted to study there.. probably more than HBS or GSB. and because I applied in R1 I thought I had higher chances of getting in.
2. ISB because it was my safe school. And its admission procedure is such that it makes it really difficult for the adcom to reject someone over 750 GMAT. (which means I screwed up my interview BIG time)

Why the lack of success?
1. I probably thought that my high GMAT will make it easier to get into top B schools. MIT, GSB and HBS were probably too high for a mediocre CV like mine.
2. I didnt take the help of any consultants to help in preparing my CV/Essays/etc. Did it all by myself. Only my last application (which was for HBS) looked something more of a well made application.
3. I guess I need some more dimensions in my resume. More of social service/ community membership in whacky clubs/ some weird hobbies/ etc to differentiate me and help my CV stand out from the crowd.

What next?
Spending the whole of last year researching different schools, writing so many essays all by myself, fine tuning my resume, etc I feel that I have a head start on the next year's application cycle. I am planning to apply to the maximum schools of my choice in R1. Let's see what happens!

Any comments are welcome.

What makes you think your high GMAT will get you in anywhere? It's something I really don't get with this forum - that there's such an emphasis on the GMAT for applications (GMAT forum...go figure!). I got 650 but if anyone thinks they can critically analyse a piece of information better than me, or communicate more effectively than me just because they have a better CR/SC score...they are seriously deluded. A high GMAT score means that you test well. It has no reflection on your intellect or academic ability!

What I recommend to you is to build yourself up...as a human, not as an applicant. Instead of spending the whole of next year on your applications, go learn a new skill. Bodybuild...travel...take drugs (have you ever tried opium?)...whatever...make yourself seem interesting. Don't do it for the sake of the application...do it for yourself!

Tendulker retired so you could probably get in to the Indian team now. Anyone is better than the bunch of morons you have now

Holla b!tches!!!

I took a year and a half off work to make myself interesting and figure out what life meant to me. I also have a 760. Neither one helped. I will be reserving my spot soon.

I took a year and a half off work to make myself interesting and figure out what life meant to me. I also have a 760. Neither one helped. I will be reserving my spot soon.

What makes you think your high GMAT will get you in anywhere? It's something I really don't get with this forum - that there's such an emphasis on the GMAT for applications (GMAT forum...go figure!). I got 650 but if anyone thinks they can critically analyse a piece of information better than me, or communicate more effectively than me just because they have a better CR/SC score...they are seriously deluded. A high GMAT score means that you test well. It has no reflection on your intellect or academic ability!

What I recommend to you is to build yourself up...as a human, not as an applicant. Instead of spending the whole of next year on your applications, go learn a new skill. Bodybuild...travel...take drugs (have you ever tried opium?)...whatever...make yourself seem interesting. Don't do it for the sake of the application...do it for yourself!

Tendulker retired so you could probably get in to the Indian team now. Anyone is better than the bunch of morons you have now

Holla b!tches!!!

Does all that help? I mean traveling, etc. I am traveler. Have covered quite some parts of the country, but how do I use this as a leverage on the application?

PS: I am in the midst of giving my GMAT. But I get scared when I come across this thread. If people with such great profiles haven't gotten through, I don't have a chance in hell.

I see that you 'un-bolded' my advice for taking drugs...suit yourself

re travel - I'm talking about travelling overseas. Go somewhere to experience a new culture and learn things you wouldn't learn at home. I hear Malaysian Airlines airfares are cheap...so now's the best time

And don't get put off by the monster GMAT scores that all these people post up. Watch this and you'll be fine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ

You're welcome!

Assman!

Inching closer every passing day..

gonna be a looooong summer ahead.

How'd you manage to fill out 14 applications?