To Apply to More or Not

Question

Here is my situation:

Applied to:
Darden - R1 WL
Yale - R1 Ding
Cornell - R2 Ding
Kellogg - R2 Ding
USC - R1 WL

I hear from Darden and USC over the next 2 weeks and I am a little nervous. I think I have a good shot at Darden but we will see what they come back with next week.

As far as profile goes - 
2.55 GPA from Boston University - B.A. in Econ
VP of Student Council for 2 years and President for 2 years
710 GMAT Q48 V38 AWA 5.5 (just retook last week, the dings and WL all came with a 640 GMAT)
5 Years of experience, 1 in Law 4 in Commercial Real Estate - management position, promoted twice on the job and most recent promotion was in November.
EC - sit on Board of Advisors of Non Profit

The question is - what schools are still taking apps, since the rounds are so late is it even work it? I see Tuck has an April Round - I just want to cover my a$$ in case Darden doesn't work out.

Any recommendations? I am looking to get a General Management Degree - probably go into commercial real estate development.

kidderek · Answer

It's pretty late in the game, but your new gmat score would certainly offset your gpa and gives you a stronger candidacy.

GMATT73 · Answer

There are a couple of top 20 schools with R4 apps in April, but if time is on your side then maybe consider R1 for 08`? You would have enough time to prepare one stunning application package.

johnnyx9 · Answer

I agree, if you're willing to wait a year you could put together a strong application w/ your new GMAT.

By the way, you said in another where I mentioned I applied to BU, you said as undergrad you didn't like the grading system or something, what's the deal with their grading system?

OasisNYK · Answer

The grading system there is rediculous - most students have a C average in the school and it has been well documented that BU grades thier students harder because they are trying to improve their image against Harvard and MIT. A lot of classes have downward curves etc. It has become such a big issue that in one of the recent alum magazines there was a 5 page spread on it and it was the cover story.

Put it this way - I am a strong writer - and I was getting C's on papers left and right for no apparent reason. It is possible to do well there, you just have to work your butt off - and for the money I just dont think its worth it. I have talked to many alums who feel exactly the same way. However I am not sure how the graduate program is, but if you interview there I would ask.

EconGirl · Answer

Have you sent your new score to Darden? I think it will help a lot. If they encourage submitting updates when on WL then I'd focus my energy on that instead on applying elsewhere. It is kinda late in the game but who knows.

good luck!

OasisNYK · Answer

Yeah - I sent it to the admissions director, we have been in touch throughout. I have a good feeling dont get me wrong. But there are no gurantees and I need a plan B is Darden doesn't pan out.

philkriger · Answer

The rolling deadline for Mccombs (Texas) is 4/1. It may be worth looking into. Plus, if you want to pursue real estate, they have a specialization, research center, etc.

An unrelated question about Darden's waitlist (I'm on it too)... They said they were reviewing waitlist candidates in the next round, but I didn't get an impression they were giving another concrete decision. Have you been told that waitlisted candidates WILL be getting a decision on 3/23 notification date?

OasisNYK · Answer

No concrete decision is due - I have just been told my application will be looked at and I am assuming if I were to be accepted it would be next week. If I don't get a call I will prepare for plan B.

rhyme · Answer

When i saw your R2 Kellogg ding and your profile, I though immediately it was the combination of a low GPA AND a low GMAT. One can argue that you can have a low gpa nad a high gmat, or maybe even a high gpa and a lower gmat, but not a low gpa and a low gmat. A 2.5 is low - well below the 80% range - and a 640 was average at best - and below average for some. 

Congrats on your 710. I think it will make a big difference to your apps. 

I would update all your remaining schools, make sure they all know about it. Update your waitlists.

OasisNYK · Answer

Thanks - I knew the GMAT was an issue with the GPA so it wasnt news to me, but I figured I could talk my way in lol. 

The only issue is my 2 remaining schools are both wait lists - I am just concerned that they wont be taking many off the list. But at this point my fate is left to the MBA gods. The 710 was pretty amazing and hopefully my run of good fortune will continue.

pelihu · Answer

I don't know how you feel about waiting another year, but with your new GMAT score, you should definitely be more competitive. If you have the time to take a couple of classes over the summer, you could be in great position for next year.

Good luck.

Nsentra · Answer

Good to see you back Oasis! Did you back down to the basement and didn't leave until you got 710? Really impressive score and your drive to improve your candidacy. I wouldn't touch a GMAT right now with a ten foot pole. I'm sure you would be considered all over again with this score at all the school you applied to.

OasisNYK · Answer

LoL I spent a month hitting 2 pratice tests per week, did the OG11, OGV Supp, OGQ Supp, Kaplan Course Book (all math problems), met with a tutor 5 times, and the final week I did GMATPrep CATs daily leading up the the exam. It was boot camp to finally get that 710 - and well worth the effort.

OasisNYK · Answer

Well I am in Accounting II now, could take Stats and Finance over the summer. I am not opposed to waiting, but as I am sure you can relate - I am ready to go now and would love the opportunity to. I will most likely know my fate relatively soon so I can make plans. If I do have to wait I will definitely take more classes and get ready to hit all my schools early next year.

died4me · Answer

Awesome. I had signed up for another GMAT back in Dec, but could not spend anytime to take it. So I postponed it to June.... I am having hard time to motivate myself to study for it as I already have an admit. The only reason that I want to retake this beast is to prove myself that I can do better, especially in the Verbal section. :lol:

you just motivated me dude!

pelihu · Answer

I can definitely understand. It would be great if your new score helped you get off a WL. I think you're doing all the right things to make sure you're well positioned. I hate the waiting process, I wouldn't want to do it again; but your profile is really much stronger now.

GMATT73 · Answer

After having just read your post under "Take the GMAT just once" I really don't think you need to worry about reapplying to any other schools.

Something inside my gut says that you will be bumped from the waitlist at either Darden or Marshall, if not both, with your new score.

Forward the new score and keep an open line of communication with the adcoms. That really was some impressive effort you put in, all things considered :-D

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