Ding timing paranoia: Is an early ding a bad sign?

Question

So I'm one of the first Kellogg dings.

Do the early dings go to the least qualified candidates? Am I an "easy out" like in little league?

I'm curious because now I have to scramble to pick up a few R2 apps, and I'm wondering how far I should "drop down" to be competitive. Would an early ding at Kellogg just translate to a late ding at UCLA? Should I focus on Trans / Near elite schools as more realistic options?

Profile for anyone interested:

post534092.html#p534092

Any input would be appreciated. Best of luck to everyone still in the running for Kellogg.

traffix · Answer

As you said, u r just being paranoid. Kellogg accepts and rejects people at random. Dont pay too much attention to that! Acc to me you should apply to a few more elite schools in R2.

TL · Answer

It's hard to tell from the information provided in your profile -- however I noticed you are interested in Entrepreneurship & Sustainability...have you taken a look at Berkeley Haas? I know they also prefer candidates with more work experience, as is your case.

nink · Answer

Lots of posts in other threads discussed how one got dinged from one school but got into another school of equal reputation.

Each school has different criteria and student body profile. (meaning different needs when it comes to building their incoming class)

Just be patient a little longer and I am sure you will hear some good news.

bostonsparky · Answer

a 3.9 and a 770? No way you are getting dinged from all these places. If you want to apply to more schools Id stay with the UCLA / Duke / Darden etc level, I can't see how say Texas would reject you.

refurb · Answer

Check out the Ross thread. A guy there got invited to the "Super Saturday" interviews, being told he was "the cream of the crop of applicants". He also got an interview at Harvard.

However, Wharton didn't even think he was worth interviewing.

Don't let one schools decision worry you.

RF

fluidian · Answer

I doubt you'll get dinged at Texas, and you should get some where at Cornell. The truth is, your grad GPA, while not necessarily a ranking metric, makes your profile a bit confusing - it begs of the question of can you handlge grad work. I'm sure you can, but when things are competitive, they start to look at the minutia. That's just the way I see it - not meant as a knock. Best of luck!

Anonymous · Answer

As hard as it may be to do, don't take the ding personally. The process is pretty convoluted since it is very dependent on the school and the characteristics the school is looking for once they get to your application. You're a great candidate, don't let the ding affect you - just keep chugging along, apply to some R2s, improve on your R1 applications, and don't lose hope. Good luck!

refurb · Answer

That about sums it up. Based on the fact I didn't get an interview at Ross pretty much guarantees a ding. However, I had a good plan from the start and I need to just follow through no matter what that voice in the back of my head is saying.

Like jlola said, you can be very competitive at a school, but if the adcom doesn't think you'll "fit" (fit defined however they want), you likely won't get in. Of course, that has absolutely no bearing on how other schools will view you.

RF

sonibubu · Answer

Just looking at your stats here, but is it possible K dinged you because of yield concerns? I'm sure some schools reject applicants because they know that they're a backup choice. Just a guess here -- with the assumption that your essays/fit weren't the problem.

Ding timing paranoia: Is an early ding a bad sign?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards