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homefry
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Explaining a 4 month gap in employment 18 Dec 2006, 19:14
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Is it necessary to explain a 4 month gap in my employment?
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pelihu
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Explaining a 4 month gap in employment 18 Dec 2006, 20:14
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I believe most schools ask you to explain any gaps in employment so you will probably have to say something about this.
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Explaining a 4 month gap in employment 18 Dec 2006, 20:29
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Probably will require explanation yes.
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homefry
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Explaining a 4 month gap in employment 18 Dec 2006, 20:56
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UCLA asks to give an explanation, but I'm already using the optional essay to explain another situation.

Should I mention it in the job history?
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PatelM
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Explaining a 4 month gap in employment 20 Dec 2006, 09:52
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I failed to explain a 3 month gap in employment in my Darden and Michigan applications. I even failed to take advantage of the "is there anything else you want us to know" question in both interviews. WTF was I thinking, you ask? I will be asking the same while kicking myself in the teeth for this until I hear back from them.

Anyway, will not repeat this mistake for R2 schools. Curious to know how people have or would handle this situation. Focus on what happened to cause the gap or what I did with the time? In my case, the gap wasn't a conscious decision - I wasn't fired or anything, just had an offer for a new job rescinded (budget constraints) after quitting my old job. Rather than settle for the next full time job that came along, I ended up pursuing some personal interests (grassroots political involvement, classical dance, spending time with family) and studying for the GMAT until the right opportunity arose. Any one have any advice?

Thanks!
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lhotseface
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Explaining a 4 month gap in employment 20 Dec 2006, 10:44
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You have a good explanation - job offer rescinded. I wouldn't mention the GMAT preparation part and pick one of the other personal interests to show how well I utilized the 3 months of downtime.

PatelM
I failed to explain a 3 month gap in employment in my Darden and Michigan applications. I even failed to take advantage of the "is there anything else you want us to know" question in both interviews. WTF was I thinking, you ask? I will be asking the same while kicking myself in the teeth for this until I hear back from them.

Anyway, will not repeat this mistake for R2 schools. Curious to know how people have or would handle this situation. Focus on what happened to cause the gap or what I did with the time? In my case, the gap wasn't a conscious decision - I wasn't fired or anything, just had an offer for a new job rescinded (budget constraints) after quitting my old job. Rather than settle for the next full time job that came along, I ended up pursuing some personal interests (grassroots political involvement, classical dance, spending time with family) and studying for the GMAT until the right opportunity arose. Any one have any advice?

Thanks!
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Priyah
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Explaining a 4 month gap in employment 20 Dec 2006, 16:13
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This has been bothering me too!...I'm applying to Michigan State Univ, not any of the top ones, but needed advice from all u guys.

I am on dependant visa in the US since mid 2005. My visa status does not allow me to work.

My 2 essay topics are
a)How do I contribute to the diversity?
b)Given ur area of primary area of concentraion, describe 2-3 careers you might pursue after the mba and how the mba and the concentration fit into ur plan.

Is my sitting-at-home something that I should explain in the optional anything -else-u -wanna-say essay?...I cant seem to fit it into the above 2 essays and frankly, I cant seem justify the almost 2 year period...I travelled and indulged in a couple of hobbies....wud it be wise to just not mention it at all?

Very much appreciate some feedbaack on this, guys !