Does anyone feel insecure about not being offered $$

Question

Hello everyone

After getting back from admitted students weekends and trying to figure where I will attend next year, I started feeling insecure about attending some top MBA programs. I was admitted to some topr schools.....Duke, Michigan, NYU and Goergetown. I was not offered any money anywhere. I felt that most students I talked at these events were saying "I was offered consortium this, fellowship that, nice offer here, half tuition, negotiated more money etc." I dont know, just made me feel like I was the only one not offered any scholarship money. Not sure if it means anything long term (besides debt) but wanted to know if anyone else felt the same way after going to different events? Also, do recruiters assume if you are not offered money, that you a less desirable candidate? Just felt like I am not really wanted by these programs.....

aviroop · Answer

Does it matter?

Such conversations will always continue, be it recruitment, internships, job offers or grades. If the schools felt you were unworthy, then you would not have been offered an admit.

ex21 · Answer

it didn't make me insecure, it made me angry that I didn't get more money :-D

don't worry about it though. Most people who get money get a smaller amount but its not the end of world. Getting in can be a crap shoot and scholarships well that is even weirder. Who knows what strategies went into that. Here are some possibilities i thought of in a few minutes. I'm not saying they are valid, just trying to show how they might consider giving out money: Attract an amazing candidate who they absolutely want Attract an average candidate who fits extremely well with the program/community Attract a candidate who is unique or less represented at that school Attract a candidate who has a profile or interest that fits well with another school (either peer or higher ranked) Attract a candidate that the adcom really develops an interest in or feels connection with My brain stopped working at this point Don't worry about it though, it would have been nice to have but not having it doesn't mean you are not as good/qualified as those who received them. At the end of the day, this is the adcoms assessment of the applicants. Adcoms are not the end all be all predictor of success. I would focus on the fact that you were accepted to multiple highly ranked and exclusive programs. That is a great accomplishment in itself, but if it really bothered you, you could always request the adcom reconsider your financial aid offer!

tctc33 · Answer

One other thing to remember is that a large proportion of scholarship/fellowship money is donor-directed. The school can't always just give money to the student they feel is most worthy; they have to give money to the best student who grew up in Romania, or who went to college in Iowa, or who is active in equestrian events, or whatever. That adds a lot of noise to the process.

And I wouldn't worry about it affecting recruiting later on. Just as an example, at one school I visited, the first year student I was chatting with was the only one in his/her class to snag an MBB summer offer in a particularly desirable office. S/he also admitted to being let in off the waitlist - so probably no money there.

You got into some great schools! Congrats!!

Two64 · Answer

Focus on what you can control and hope for the best. You cant control who gets money, but you can focus on what you'll learn these next few years. From a business perspective, it seems like that's a better way to spend your time.

Regardless, congrats on the programs you were admitted to. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you keep coming by to drop advice!!

Regardless, congrats on the programs you were admitted to. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you keep coming by to drop advice!!

novanative · Answer

So you know, scholarship money could open up as other students who were accepted at the schools you applied turn down those offers. Don't hold out hope that you may get something.

Does anyone feel insecure about not being offered $$

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