The evolution of your B-school pursuit

What a terrific thread, inspiring, captivating and insightful. I'll try to do this thread justice by providing equally poignant comments and experiences. Don't judge me if I can't.

How has your B-school plan evolved? When did you decide to pursue this, what were you goals and have those changed, and of course the rotating decision on what schools and which is your top?

When: I graduated from high school highly decorated, really, without tooting my own horn, the prototypical high school student. I was cocky in my belief that I'd be able to get in anywhere and my lack of effort and focus on my applications back then had their effect. I was denied from all my top choices and had to ultimately go to my safety school of UW-Madison. I was crushed. Fortunately my time at UW was unbelievable and life changing (proving that everything does work out for a reason). However, for how amazing it was I didn't give the effort I needed to and ultimately graduated with a mundane 3.2 GPA and without a clear focus. I took a job with Accenture because I was blinded by the perceived glamor of the consulting industry (read, platinum status at everything from airlines to hotels to Applebees). Having spent two years at the company my perceived sparckle of the job began to wear off and I was looking for an out. I had considered everything from entering into an industry job to taking my LSAT and pursuing what everyone told me was the career I was born for, law. Looking at my GPA, however, I realized I had no chance at a top tier law school and I figured without that there was no point. I had pondered an MBA but figured I'd have to wait 4-5 years before I'd be eligible to apply to an MBA program (that was me being naive).

It was a random Sunday trip to Barnes & Noble that changed the course of my life and brought me to this point. I picked up the book "Ahead of the Curve" and we set off for a quick lunch at Panera. Sitting outside, my girlfriend asked what the book was about so I began reading the summary and first few chapters to her. I was captivated and motivated to go home and begin looking into the MBA application process and began to realize that not only did it provide the out that I was looking for but that the timing (age) was right and that the opportunities it opened for me were perfect for what I was looking to accomplish.

I immediately signed up for a GMAT course and for the first month half-a### it thinking that by simply doing the material I'd be fine. It was halfway through it I began getting nervous that maybe this "work" wasn't going to pay off until I really poored my heart and soul into it. I did, staying up late nights, working around go-lives and project deadlines and burning the midnight oil practicing every question type imagineable. The test day came and I went in scared to death, sweating bullets and not able to hold down food. With my GPA I realized this was important, if not vital. My girlfriend was hugely supportive, showering me with compliments of my brilliance, yada yada yada, and other things girlfriends say all the time. I took the test and thought I did terribly, but couldn't live with the prospect of cancelling my score and having to do this all again. I hit the button to accept the test and display my score and voila, a 710. Happy? You're damn right. Could have I done better? I think so but who cares, I was over 700 and now I was on my way to having that first benchmark that would lead me to the next phase...choosing where...

Where This is where my research and interaction with all of you really had it's greatest influence. I began the search thinking that with what I perceived as a mediocre history would limit my prospects for top schools. I began thinking in the 30-something range by targeting the University of Minnesota (basically in my backyard), Notre Dame 1Y and UW-Madison. I posted the standard forum posts of "Where am I competitive" and the support was tremendous. I was told those schools are safeties at best and I needed to set my sights higher.

I took this advice a little too much to heart thinking great, H/S/W it is and then I'll throw 6 other apps out there. Again, naive. Everyone told me that's WAY too many applications and that you'll either submit crap or die trying to put together all of them. I then began to recognize that everyone else was right, and that maybe I was crazy. I decided that going to school in 2010 was important to me and thus decided to remove the ones that I felt I had zero chance at and focus on schools that were both a little lower in the rankings but nonetheless still exhilirated me. Much of my choices were a combination of schools I applied to for undergrad (possible seeking redemption) and schools that upon researching seemed to have everything I wanted. So I finalized a list around August of the following schools:

Kellogg: Easily my top choice. Love Chicago, love how close and accessible it is to Minneapolis (where my GF lives and will be living while I'm in school) and loved everything about the school. I won't go into great detail because upon reading the previous posts they've been well documented already. The schools placements with the MCs and access to clubs/organizations around the Airline/Transportation industry reaffirmed my feelings that it was a perfect fit. Unfortunately it was also my first application, first interview and first recommendations. I was proud of it all at the time. Looking back it was horrendous and I'm slightly ashamed, saddened and bitter that I didn't take everyones' advice and wait to apply to my first choice in R2. As you may have guessed I was dinged quite early.

Chicago: I applied to this school soley based on location. I went to a reception and was turned off by the alumni at the event. Now, I'm not saying all alumni are like this and in fact my interactions with the students and alumni on this site have been truly spectacular. But, I went to this reception with my GF and upon leaving, without saying anything she turned to me and said "You would not fit in there." I felt the exact same way and after being dinged there as well I have to say I was slightly relieved because had I gotten in I probably would have gone based solely on location and prestige.

Fuqua: This was my first visit that I was really blown away. This was one of those schools that I applied to for undergrad and going in I was probably motivated to redeem my previous performance. But upon getting there I fell in love. What a campus, what great people, everything. I went down for the open interview session and had every intention of submitting during R1 but after the visit I felt strongly I wanted to ace my essays and really put my best foot forward. I applied R2 and with the thanks of soon to be Fuqua student, Kidd38s, I put together great essays...for me. I ended up getting waitlisted but I was extremely satisfied with everything I submitted and have no regrets. I'm still on the waitlist as I write this but as you'll soon find out I'm 99% sure on where I'll be in August.

Ross: Midwest, prestige, etc motivated this choice. Never visited the school, had an awful interview with an alumni in Minneapolis that I didn't relate to well at all. I was pleasantly surprised by my waitlist but that's all I've got to say about that.

Darden: For some reason, through this entire process, I've had a particular fondness for this school. Before fully researching schools I just assumed I'd apply here because the thought of UVA just makes me happy. The late R1 date helped as well. I had the opportunity to attend a reception in Minneapolis before submitting the application and met the most unbelievable alumni I've had the opportunity to speak with. Down to Earth, personable, seemingly brilliant and reserved. I left that reception, again with my GF, and without saying anything she said "That's where you belong" (Note: This was the night after the Booth reception. I guess my GF's opinion resonates with me because as you've read she's been pretty important in all aspects of this process). I couldn't have agreed more. I went home that night and began working feaverishly on those essays and fine tuned the heck out of them. I submitted it early and then began the excruciatingly long wait. I swear, Darden makes you sweat it out: 1.25 months after the due date the first IV invites come out, then you have to wait nearly 2 more months before decisions are released. Ridiculous, but I was undaunted. I was among the first batch of invites and I immediately began fist pumping at my work computer with one arm while booking my flight, hotel, rental car with the other. I got there the day after a HUGE snow storm and was shocked to find emails in my inbox asking us to re-schedule if we weren't already there. I was thinking "Great, now they're going to be upset if we show because they don't want to be there." I couldn't have been more wrong. Similar to my reception experience the people were tremendous, the facilities gorgeous (despite the 20 inches of snow) and the culture perfectly aligned with my personality. It instantly shot to #1. I had my interview and because of the insight of this forum knew exactly what was coming. I aced the interview, got along terrificly with my interview (a 2Y) and couldn't wait for the final decision date. It came, calls were being reported and I was waiting, waiting, waiting. Finally I was interrupted by a meeting I had to lead in front of some client executives. I set up my laptop in the conference room and began the meeting thinking I'd been dinged and was thus thoroughly disappointed. Then, literally 15 seconds after I began speaking my phone went off with an "Unknown" number. I knew what it was and I said to hell with my meeting I'm taking this call. I quickly said "Sorry, I have to take this call, important personal stuff I'm waiting on." They were perplexed, who is this 25 year old kid blowing off directors, VPs and EVPs. I figured to hell with them, this is my moment. I removed myself, took the call and began gushing to the caller, a student rep. Pretty sure I freaked her out and a restraining order is probably pending because I was a little too excited. I immediately went back to my desk afterwards and began my meeting but needed to write an email to my GF and family letting them know the good news. Forgot I was displaying my screen on the projector so immediately everyone figured out what the "personal stuff" was. Needless to say, after all this I'm pumped to head to Charlottesville. I'm buying my UVA golf bag this weekend and look forward to using it and representing the school well on the links.

Through this whole process, as others have mentioned I learned a ton about myself but also have learned the benefits of having a wonderful support group around. My GF, my parents, ALL OF YOU have been unbelievable and I'm extremely indebted to all of you. I hope, going forward, I can pay it back as much as possible. I look forward to the relationships I've made on here playing out in the future as we will undoubtedly run into each other. You are the most remarkable collection of young people I've ever "met" and having just had this casual interaction with you has definitely made me a better person and again I thank you all!

Ok, so that was an EXTREMELY long post, sorry if I bored you. I didn't think I would write that much but I guess that just goes to show how great this process has been. Hopefully there are a few nuggets sandwiched between the garbage prose up there that someone can take away and utilize as they begin this process.