This thread has retired. For new discussion on MBA application phases please move here phases-of-mba-application-review-147148.html Edit by rhyme: The below is humorous, but frankly, it's very very true and it gives you an idea of what to really expect after the GMAT. For those of you applying next year (at this point 2008), you should really read through this - get an idea of whats to come. I'm attempting to summarize what most of us have gone through or will be going through in our path to B-school. I was partially motivated by several other posts within the forum (which I thank for) and partially on self experience (though the characters in this story are fictional, etc., you know the drill). School names are used as examples and by no means I intend to mock any organization or person, this is just an attempt at summarizing, in a humorous way, this rocky personal journey. i.Introduction Let's say you are 2 or 3 years out of college and the thought of an MBA starts lingering in your mind. Either you've heard some stories of former colleagues going for it and are curious about it or you think the name sounds cool. You can talk to MBA alumni (if you have access to them) to start your research, or maybe to some friends. But this initial conversations can be biased (name 1 alumni who "officially" thinks his/her school sucked and you'll get a bonus!) for all you know. So you decide you need some "objective data" to continue your research and you go pick up the latest issue of US news/ B-week, or whichever one is available at newsstands. You browse through their pages and start wondering: 1st phase (the MBA honeymoon): - Wait, wasn't Kellogg a cereal brand? - What's with the GMAT scores? why 700? over 1000? that's weird. What's GMAT btw? - Ah, finally, I know Yale, I know Harvard, I know Stanford, MIT and UCLA. But where's Princeton? And Brown? - I like International Business, so as per these rankings I should better be attending Thunderbird. But why are the starting salaries from there so much lower than from other schools? - I loved Miami when I visited on spring break. Lemme see what their school's like. 2nd phase (Delussional optimism): - I'm a wise person, so GMAT shouldn't be a problem for me. Maybe I'll take one of these intensive 1-week courses and go for it! Why would anybody spend months studying? That doesn't make any sense. I mean it's high school level math and English for crying out loud. Heck, I can speak English, I've taken Calculus classes. - I'm a clear admit at HBS, plus I'll get a full scholarship. After all I'll get a top GMAT, I do speak four languages and have made steady progress at work so far. 3rd phase (Depression while taming the beast): - GMAT sucks. My friends no longer talk to me. My girlfriend broke up with me and spending 150k for an MBA doesn't make much sense to me anymore (nor does it make sense to my family, my former friends nor my girlfriend). Do I really, really want to do this? Otherwise I could go back to having a life right now. - Ok, so I'm headed for a 600 score, if I'm lucky. Let's see what that would do for me. Hmm, I'd better score at least 650. Wait, 650 ain't that bad! Oh boy, I'd kill for a 650. - "So Johnny (an acquaintance of yours), how did your GMAT go?" Johnny: "Oh man, I'm so depressed. I bombed my 7th attempt. I just can't get past 550. I'm about giving up" You: "Crap, Johnny, after all the effort you've put into this, I can't believe what you are telling me. I mean, I'm still a zillion hours away from your study record to date. By the way, I'll better be heading home and attack those SCs again!" - (at 4am in the morning on a working day): I suck, I suck, I suck! I can't believe the silly mistakes I'm making. Sigh, I wish I'd remember more about Statistics... 4th phase (post GMAT preliminary research) - Ok, so I got a pretty decent GMAT. Now let me write sth and send my app right away so we can finally bring this "I'll pretend I read your app." game to an end. Let's check the instructions. 1st question) What matters most to you an why? Hmm. Maybe I'll leave this one for tomorrow. Or let me brainstorm and write a shortlist: 1st shortlist (prior to any research): a) Money. b) Success. c) Beer. d) Getting my ticket stamped to land an IB job. 2nd shortlist (after some research): a) Being mother Theresa. b) Saving humanity. c) Saving the environment. d) "Changing the world". - I'll apply to 147 schools. That way, I'd maximize my chances of getting a scholarship. - What's with the letter of recommendation? Should I tell my boss about my plans? It looks like the point of no return to me. 5th phase (applying, AKA the emotional roller-coaster) : This sucks! I can't believe how boring I sound. I should re-start from scratch! - I should write about the snooker tournament I won when I was 16. That'd be original, plus I can spin it to show how I used my leadership, analytical and teamwork skills. - Beh, I can apply in Round 2 as well. - Crap! my recommenders haven't even accessed the website yet and it's only 2 days left! I'll send them "friendly reminder #27". No, wait, I sent #26 just 5 minutes ago. Maybe I'll wait another half hour. - Wait, was Kellogg's deadline on the 5th? Or was that MIT? Maybe I should drop Wharton. I can't make deadlines on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th. OK, I'll just drop Wharton from my list and have it as "fresh" backup for next year just in case. - I wish I had applied to more schools in Round 1. Look at all these people getting interviews and admits! 6th phase (post application blues) - Shoot, I won't get in anywhere. I mean look at the profiles of applicants! I should retake GMAT. My 700 is not enough. I should aim for 790+. - Crap! Yale dinged me without interview! Ohmigod! If they did it, ANYONE can do it! THEY COULD ALL DO IT! - I have an idea! I'll check which schools have rolling admissions and apply to those. I still have time! - Suddenly University of Phoenix Online doesn't sound that bad. - Why? Why? Why didn't apply to more backups? Why did I have to shake my interviewer's hand so firmly? Why didn't I coach my recommenders more thoroughly? I wonder what they've written. Probably nothing good. I wish I had submitted my app. a day earlier, that way I would have looked as a well organized person. I read that Kellogg dings all applicants above 28 years old who haven't made directors positions. Wait, is that a typo on my MIT essays? That's one school less, buddy. I'm soo doomed. 7th phase (endless joy) - Hell yeah! I've made it! I've been admitted next year! I rule! I can't wait to get recruited by . When is admitted students weekend? - 2nd admit! I rule! - Should I go to with a 7k scholarship or to with a 25 k scholarship? - Work? What's work? Ah, right, that thing I'm supposed to be doing daily on weekdays from 9 to 5... - I wonder whether spending this 150k makes sense after all... - I'm so gonna get grilled at B-school! What if I mess up? I'd better start brushing up on some skills. Hope you enjoy, and feel free to propose edits or add-ons. After all, we're all together in this journey! Cheers. L.

Last visit was: 29 Apr 2026, 23:46

It is currently 29 Apr 2026, 23:46

Toolkit

Business School and MBA

The B-School Applications

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Apr 30
Applying from a finance background
10:00 AM EDT
-
11:00 AM EDT
Applying to business school from a finance background? Personal MBA Coach is here to help with this quick tips video on how to set yourself apart during the MBA application process!
Apr 30
Why Reach/Target/Safety Is the Wrong Framework for MBA School Selection
10:00 AM EDT
-
10:30 AM EDT
Sia Admissions Founder Susan Berishaj will walk through why reach/target/safety produces the wrong list for many specific profiles, how admissions committees at different programs read the same background differently, and more...
Apr 30
Amplify Hourly Packages
12:00 PM EDT
-
01:00 PM EDT
Starting at $975 and offering up to $545 of savings, our new Amplify Hourly Packages offer structure and support in certain high-value areas (story development, resume, essays, interviewing) to help get your applications across the finish line.
Apr 30
Consulting to PE/VC: How to Position Your Profile, Skills & Story for Top Roles
09:00 PM IST
-
10:00 PM IST
Thinking about PE/VC? Most consultants are. Few actually make it. Learn how to position your profile, build the right skills, and break into Private Equity & Venture Capital.
Apr 29
Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with ARINGO MBA admission consultants
09:00 AM PDT
-
10:00 AM PDT
What’s in it for you- Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with Jenifer Turtschanow, CEO, ARINGO. Come with your details prepared and ARINGO will share insights! Pre-MBA Role/Industry, YOE, Exam Score, C/GPA, ECs Post-MBA Role/ Industry & School List.
Apr 29
MBA Class of 2028: AMA with Juno's Founder
08:00 PM EDT
-
09:00 PM EDT
Join us for a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Juno’s Co-Founder, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about financing your MBA in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
May 01
Emory MBA Info Session (Online)
08:30 AM EDT
-
09:15 AM EDT
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
May 01
Emory MBA Info Sessions (Online)
08:30 AM EDT
-
09:30 AM EDT
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great and how you can present a strong MBA application. Explore the difference between our One-Year MBA and Two-Year MBA programs, talk to our admissions team, and meet students.
May 01
Free profile evaluation and guarantee statement
08:00 PM PDT
-
09:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
May 05
Learn How to Get Ahead of MBA Recruiting Now
07:00 PM EDT
-
08:00 PM EDT
In this live 60-minute masterclass, How to Get Ahead of MBA Recruiting Now, we’ll walk through the four biggest mistakes incoming MBAs make and how to avoid them so you’re not scrambling to catch up once recruiting begins.

Back to Forum

Create Topic

The 7 phases of B-school application

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

bherronp

Current Student

Joined: 24 Apr 2007

Last visit: 30 Mar 2010

Posts: 588

Own Kudos:

Posts: 588

Kudos: 17

26 Aug 2007, 10:38

Kudos

Bookmarks

kryzak

All you R1 applicants... we are officially in Phase 5 now... *only* 2 more phases to go!

Ya, but this phase still goes for another 2 months

Nitty

Joined: 25 Aug 2007

Last visit: 28 Jan 2009

Posts: 100

Own Kudos:

Location: NYC Baby!!!

Posts: 100

Kudos: 18

26 Aug 2007, 11:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

That was great! Brought a smile to my face as I get ready to work on more SC question! I am glad to see I am not alone in this. I have def lost some friends during this process but this will help you determine who your real friends and supporters are. Didn't lose the boyfriend yet, lol, he keeps me from quitting. Now that I know most of the grammar rules and have gotten involved with my community, I am not considered as"cool" anymore! LMAO

networKING

Joined: 20 Mar 2006

Last visit: 03 Dec 2007

Posts: 10

Kudos: 0

23 Nov 2007, 22:45

Kudos

Bookmarks

Simply awesome!! You have put in everything which everyone out here feel. I was laughing aloud:D:D:D
FYI I'm still in between 4-5.
Way to go...

bsd_lover

Joined: 17 May 2007

Last visit: 15 Mar 2020

Posts: 2,432

Own Kudos:

1,751

Given Kudos: 210

Posts: 2,432

Kudos: 1,751

24 Nov 2007, 02:25

Kudos

Bookmarks

Yup .. in the 6th phase after repeated dings !! ..

clobo

Joined: 26 Sep 2007

Last visit: 05 Aug 2008

Posts: 264

Own Kudos:

Posts: 264

Kudos: 4

24 Nov 2007, 06:05

Kudos

Bookmarks

LOL

Lepium's post was pretty funny. Hopefully, it turns out well for all of us.

jay02

Joined: 07 Jan 2008

Last visit: 05 Mar 2008

Posts: 68

Own Kudos:

321

Posts: 68

Kudos: 321

16 Jan 2008, 09:18

Kudos

Bookmarks

lepium...what a great post!!!!

it seems that I am not the only crazy one out there...I am stuck at the stage 6 and am going through the same emotional roller coaster you all guys went through last year.

I got my first ding from cornell and now I am scared all the other three first round apps will be dinged

I wish I had applied to more school...as Lepium said "university of Phoenix seems like a good option"

Reading these posts have freaked me out, I have a 700 in GMAT but now I don't think it's good enough... got to look for schools that still have second round deadline...

this is such a great forum...wish I had found it earlier...

casbroker

Joined: 20 Nov 2007

Last visit: 13 Mar 2010

Posts: 80

Own Kudos:

Posts: 80

Kudos: 1

16 Jan 2008, 12:15

Kudos

Bookmarks

I am at the "I don't want to be a part of any country club that will have me" stage. I get an admit, am happy about it and then start to think "if they accepted me, maybe the school isn't so great after all".

bsd_lover

Joined: 17 May 2007

Last visit: 15 Mar 2020

Posts: 2,432

Own Kudos:

1,751

Given Kudos: 210

Posts: 2,432

Kudos: 1,751

16 Jan 2008, 17:09

Kudos

Bookmarks

Still in Phase 6 - Two schools have dinged me , they will ALL do that me :shock:

uphillclimb

Joined: 11 Sep 2006

Last visit: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 456

Own Kudos:

Posts: 456

Kudos: 49

17 Jan 2008, 07:46

Kudos

Bookmarks

Firmly, FIRMLY in the sixth phase, as we speak... :cry:

lepium

Joined: 24 Sep 2006

Last visit: 22 Oct 2012

Posts: 1,359

Own Kudos:

209

Posts: 1,359

Kudos: 209

27 Jan 2008, 00:09

Kudos

Bookmarks

To give some hope to everyone reading this post, most people go through the phases and end up at a pretty decent school (myself included), so don't despair. It'll all turn out right in the end.

L.

GMAT4Lyfe

Joined: 14 Sep 2007

Last visit: 28 Feb 2009

Posts: 36

Own Kudos:

Posts: 36

Kudos: 5

01 Feb 2008, 07:39

Kudos

Bookmarks

hahahaha awsome!

Travel09

Joined: 16 Dec 2007

Last visit: 21 Jun 2010

Posts: 192

Own Kudos:

Location: San Diego,CA

Schools:Kellogg (R2), UCLA (R2)

Posts: 192

Kudos: 36

01 Feb 2008, 08:58

Kudos

Bookmarks

Very funny :lol:

All of us seem to have similar experiences. I did actually go to Thunderbird website and wondered a the salaries

PokerFace

Joined: 06 Feb 2008

Last visit: 29 Feb 2008

Posts: 8

Kudos: 0

09 Feb 2008, 08:09

Kudos

Bookmarks

LOL

i'm in the sixth phase too :cry:

dinged

from my round one schools :cry:

now waiting for 5 round two schools to show me some love

700willdo

Joined: 03 Oct 2006

Last visit: 24 Jun 2010

Posts: 147

Own Kudos:

Location: Nepal

Posts: 147

Kudos: 6

03 Mar 2008, 19:56

Kudos

Bookmarks

6th phase (post application blues)

- Shoot, I won't get in anywhere. I mean look at the profiles of applicants! I should retake GMAT. My 700 is not enough. I should aim for 790+.

- Crap! Yale dinged me without interview! Ohmigod! If they did it, ANYONE can do it! THEY COULD ALL DO IT!

- I have an idea! I'll check which schools have rolling admissions and apply to those. I still have time!

- Suddenly University of Phoenix Online doesn't sound that bad.

- Why? Why? Why didn't apply to more backups? Why did I have to shake my interviewer's hand so firmly? Why didn't I coach my recommenders more thoroughly? I wonder what they've written. Probably nothing good. I wish I had submitted my app. a day earlier, that way I would have looked as a well organized person. I read that Kellogg dings all applicants above 28 years old who haven't made directors positions. Wait, is that a typo on my MIT essays? That's one school less, buddy. I'm soo doomed.

7th phase (endless joy)

- Hell yeah! I've made it! I've been admitted [dream school X] next year! I rule! I can't wait to get recruited by [dream employer]. When is admitted students weekend?

- 2nd admit! I rule!

- Should I go to [School X] with a 7k scholarship or to [School Y] with a 25 k scholarship?

- Work? What's work? Ah, right, that thing I'm supposed to be doing daily on weekdays from 9 to 5...

- I wonder whether spending this 150k makes sense after all...

- I'm so gonna get grilled at B-school! What if I mess up? I'd better start brushing up on some skills.

Hope you enjoy, and feel free to propose edits or add-ons. After all, we're all together in this journey!

Cheers. L.

Now that m at the end of this process I fully understand what all this means. I had read this post a few months ago and didnt identify too much with it and was surprised at how this post became so popular. Now that I have been thru the entire process myself I understand and can exactly understand y this post is so gr8. I can particularly identify with the 6th step because I too was dinged by Yale without an interview and started thinkin that I wudnt get in anywhere. My target school was Foster which I was pretty confident of getting into but after the Yale ding I was scared as hell that i might not get in. Thanx for the gr8 post guys.
Cheers!!!

tikpaklong

Joined: 14 Feb 2007

Last visit: 17 Sep 2008

Posts: 8

Own Kudos:

Posts: 8

Kudos: 4

26 Mar 2008, 14:10

Kudos

Bookmarks

This post is so great! I no longer feel alone!

westsider

Joined: 23 Jan 2008

Last visit: 17 Dec 2009

Posts: 498

Own Kudos:

Posts: 498

Kudos: 62

26 Mar 2008, 14:49

Kudos

Bookmarks

aaudetat

Mark4124

Partner??? What happened to boyfriend? Does everything have to be in Cambridge speak?

Boyfriends are the boys I made out with my mom's car in high school. At this point in my life, I feel a bit beyond that designation. However, I find "the guy that I have committed my life and finances to but to whom I am not married because we both have serious doubts about the institution itself and are too lazy to bother anyway" is just too wordy.

If anyone has any recommendations, I am happy to take them under consideration.

Personally, I use the phrase "sugar momma" for my wife. :-D

aaudetat

Joined: 01 Nov 2006

Last visit: 10 Jan 2016

Posts: 1,854

Own Kudos:

233

Given Kudos: 2

Concentration: Social Enterprise

Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009

Posts: 1,854

Kudos: 233

26 Mar 2008, 15:41

Kudos

Bookmarks

westsider

aaudetat

Mark4124

Partner??? What happened to boyfriend? Does everything have to be in Cambridge speak?

Personally, I use the phrase "sugar momma" for my wife. :-D

Well, ndhlp has actually been promoted to my hausfrau. He's finishing his thesis and taking care of me. Laundry, cooking me breakfast, sometimes packing my lunch....I encourage all MBAs to find themselves a hausfrau before starting school. I's really a good idea.

mattk

Joined: 03 Apr 2008

Last visit: 04 Apr 2008

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

04 Apr 2008, 00:00

Kudos

Bookmarks

jay02

Seems like the general consensus around here is that it's all about your GMAT score... Do you guys really believe that? I don't. It's the entire package. Letter's of recommendation and essays are HUGE, from what I've read. I'm going to be applying to Stanford's GSB, and speaking from their documentation, it's everything as a whole you're evaluated on and individually assessed.

mNeo

Current Student

Joined: 22 Apr 2007

Last visit: 04 Sep 2009

Posts: 1,034

Own Kudos:

Posts: 1,034

Kudos: 30

04 Apr 2008, 00:14

Kudos

Bookmarks

mattk

Seems like the general consensus around here is that it's all about your GMAT score.

I have no idea what made you think that the general consensus here is that it's all about the GMAT score (well, except for the website name - GMATClub :roll:

). In fact, unlike the forum that should not be named, we very rarely ask people about their "stats". I think that the regular visitors of this site have a fair idea of what the schools want, and they don't blind themselves with merely the GMAT scores.

kryzak

Major Poster

Joined: 04 Jun 2007

Last visit: 10 Aug 2013

Posts: 5,452

Own Kudos:

751

Given Kudos: 14

Status:Um... what do you want to know?

Location: SF, CA, USA

Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment

Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010

GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE

WE 1: Social Gaming

Posts: 5,452

Kudos: 751

04 Apr 2008, 01:39

Kudos

Bookmarks

mNeo is right, after the GMAT is done, you really notice that everything ELSE is more important for your application. There are a few "I got only 6XX, should I retake" type questions here and there, but most of the questions you see here are, "how do I get good recs, how do I convey this in my essay, etc..."