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RhodesJonty
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 01 Jan 2015, 12:12
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Hi,

An MBA college in the USA did not view my youtube essay (Youtube analytics) before coming out with a ding. After writing to the college about the same, they accepted their mistake and said that my GMAT is low and hence they did not feel the need to see.

SO much talk about assessing applications holistically. My GMAt is 670 and the average GMAT for the school is 670.

What should I do? Where can I complain? I feel cheated!

I also had a chat with the adcom earlier, before applying, and they said that I should apply as they view the app holistically.

Best!


bb
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 02 Jan 2015, 02:54
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RhodesJonty
Hi,

An MBA college in the USA did not view my youtube essay (Youtube analytics) before coming out with a ding. After writing to the college about the same, they accepted their mistake and said that my GMAT is low and hence they did not feel the need to see.

SO much talk about assessing applications holistically. My GMAt is 670 and the average GMAT for the school is 670.

What should I do? Where can I complain? I feel cheated!

I also had a chat with the adcom earlier, before applying, and they said that I should apply as they view the app holistically.

Best!


bb
Show more

Hey there,
Well, I'm afraid there's no complaining. And you shouldn't feel cheated either.

The school is a private institution and runs their application process as they see fit, and they also have no obligation to be transparent about them. The only thing to do is to think: How can I make my application stronger for the future?

Best,
Jon
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RhodesJonty
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Location: India
Concentration: Leadership, Strategy
Schools: McCombs '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Smith '17 (WA) Krannert '17 (A) Desautels '17 (A) Tippie '17 (D)
GPA: 4
WE:General Management (Aerospace and Defense)
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: McCombs '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Smith '17 (WA) Krannert '17 (A) Desautels '17 (A) Tippie '17 (D)
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 02 Jan 2015, 03:33
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RhodesJonty
Hi,

An MBA college in the USA did not view my youtube essay (Youtube analytics) before coming out with a ding. After writing to the college about the same, they accepted their mistake and said that my GMAT is low and hence they did not feel the need to see.

SO much talk about assessing applications holistically. My GMAt is 670 and the average GMAT for the school is 670.

What should I do? Where can I complain? I feel cheated!

I also had a chat with the adcom earlier, before applying, and they said that I should apply as they view the app holistically.

Best!


bb

Hey there,
Well, I'm afraid there's no complaining. And you shouldn't feel cheated either.

The school is a private institution and runs their application process as they see fit, and they also have no obligation to be transparent about them. The only thing to do is to think: How can I make my application stronger for the future?

Best,
Jon
Show more

Hi Jon,

Thanks for your reply!
I do agree with you to some extent. But at the same time, I had a chat with the admissions team earlier, before applying, and I conveyed the same concern- my GMAT score.

They said that the adcom addresses each application holistically. In that discussion I had already shared the GMAt score and my resume. If there was any red flag, they should have told me then and there.

I got through the whole process and took out time to make a 2 minute video essay. I had to shell out $100 for the application too. In the end the application team comes out to say that my GMAT isn't competitive!

I would say they tricked me into applying? Why can't they say that the GMAT is a major criteria for the school? Because if they had to see all touch-points of the application, they wouldve at least seen my essay, before taking a decision.

What are your thoughts?

Best!
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 02 Jan 2015, 03:48
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Hello RhodesJonty,

It was very unprofessional of the college to NOT EVEN SEE the video.

A rejection after viewing the video would've been justified at least.

But as commented by a user above, there is truly nothing you can do about it.

Which college are we talking about in specific? So that at least others can be aware of the this particular "MBA College's style of work". :|


Regards
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RhodesJonty
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WE:General Management (Aerospace and Defense)
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Schools: McCombs '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Smith '17 (WA) Krannert '17 (A) Desautels '17 (A) Tippie '17 (D)
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 02 Jan 2015, 04:31
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Hello RhodesJonty,

It was very unprofessional of the college to NOT EVEN SEE the video.

A rejection after viewing the video would've been justified at least.

But as commented by a user above, there is truly nothing you can do about it.

Which college are we talking about in specific? So that at least others can be aware of the this particular "MBA College's style of work". :|


Regards
Show more

Hey,

I have requested the MBA college for a refund of my application fee. As you rightly mentioned that this is an unprofessional approach, I would rather not talk about the name of the college till there is an amicable settlement of the issue. Otherwise I may have to come out with a public blog to highlight the incident as I believe that the candidates need to know about this before they apply.

Best!
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 02 Jan 2015, 07:22
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RhodesJonty

Really sorry to hear about your application experience. I think based on your school list, I know which school you are talking about...

Unfortunately, I think your experience isn't unique and you are completely justified looking for a refund although it may be unlikely that you'll get it.

I think for many of these admissions offices they tend to forget that admissions is very much a 2 way street and although their marketing may say one thing (such as the process is holistic) the reality is that it very well may not be. I do have to say, the way they seemed to handle the situation speaks volumes to that business school organization as a whole and I think you'll be glad that you won't be going there.

Just to give you some hope, here's an article I recently came across in Poets&Quants that discusses McDonough's attempt at making the process better for applicants: https://poetsandquants.com/2014/12/31/the-highs-lows-of-an-applicants-journey-to-business-school/. At least someone out there recognizes the effort on the applicants part and is looking to do something about the horribly emotional process of applying to business school.

:gl and I hope the best on your other b-school applications.
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 05 Jan 2015, 02:02
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RhodesJonty


Hi Jon,

Thanks for your reply!
I do agree with you to some extent. But at the same time, I had a chat with the admissions team earlier, before applying, and I conveyed the same concern- my GMAT score.

They said that the adcom addresses each application holistically. In that discussion I had already shared the GMAt score and my resume. If there was any red flag, they should have told me then and there.

I got through the whole process and took out time to make a 2 minute video essay. I had to shell out $100 for the application too. In the end the application team comes out to say that my GMAT isn't competitive!

I would say they tricked me into applying? Why can't they say that the GMAT is a major criteria for the school? Because if they had to see all touch-points of the application, they wouldve at least seen my essay, before taking a decision.

What are your thoughts?

Best!
Show more

Hey there,
I totally understand your concern and your point. I mean, you applied, and you wanted them to at least have a look at who you are! And I can't say anything but that I can't agree with you more!

Buuuuut, on the other hand, that's not how it works. And I don't think it's one specific school that is "not being nice", they all do this to some extent. But if a school (or potential employer for that matter) decides based on solely your resume that you aren't a good fit, then that's how it is. I know it seems it's not fair, but I also think there's a danger in believing that school applications will ever be "fair" in that sense. All schools say "they will look at the application "holistically". But that's maybe not true. I mean this is not your case - but imagine someone who has a low GMAT and low GPA, they maybe will glance at the resume, and if there's nothing interesting not even read the essays.

Again, maybe not fair, but that's how it works. And that's why I think you shouldn't waste too much time on this. They didn't want you... okay. There are other schools out there! And maybe you can figure out what went wrong in this application and apply to it to your future ones. I'm just afraid that this annoyance might east up too much of your time and energy, instead of you concentrating on other, and more important things, for which I wish you the best of luck,

Best,
Jon
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GPA: 4
WE:General Management (Aerospace and Defense)
Products:
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 06 Jan 2015, 12:46
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RhodesJonty

Really sorry to hear about your application experience. I think based on your school list, I know which school you are talking about...

Unfortunately, I think your experience isn't unique and you are completely justified looking for a refund although it may be unlikely that you'll get it.

I think for many of these admissions offices they tend to forget that admissions is very much a 2 way street and although their marketing may say one thing (such as the process is holistic) the reality is that it very well may not be. I do have to say, the way they seemed to handle the situation speaks volumes to that business school organization as a whole and I think you'll be glad that you won't be going there.

Just to give you some hope, here's an article I recently came across in Poets&Quants that discusses McDonough's attempt at making the process better for applicants: https://poetsandquants.com/2014/12/31/the-highs-lows-of-an-applicants-journey-to-business-school/. At least someone out there recognizes the effort on the applicants part and is looking to do something about the horribly emotional process of applying to business school.

:gl and I hope the best on your other b-school applications.
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Hey

Thanks for sharing the article. I agree with what you have said there, while I cannot hope to get a refund, I definitely want to convey my displeasure with the situation to the Adcom.

If I don't get a refund, I will definitely come out with a post about the college, so at least prospective students are aware of the situation.

Best
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RhodesJonty
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GPA: 4
WE:General Management (Aerospace and Defense)
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: McCombs '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Smith '17 (WA) Krannert '17 (A) Desautels '17 (A) Tippie '17 (D)
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 06 Jan 2015, 12:53
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RhodesJonty


Hi Jon,

Thanks for your reply!
I do agree with you to some extent. But at the same time, I had a chat with the admissions team earlier, before applying, and I conveyed the same concern- my GMAT score.

They said that the adcom addresses each application holistically. In that discussion I had already shared the GMAt score and my resume. If there was any red flag, they should have told me then and there.

I got through the whole process and took out time to make a 2 minute video essay. I had to shell out $100 for the application too. In the end the application team comes out to say that my GMAT isn't competitive!

I would say they tricked me into applying? Why can't they say that the GMAT is a major criteria for the school? Because if they had to see all touch-points of the application, they wouldve at least seen my essay, before taking a decision.

What are your thoughts?

Best!

Hey there,
I totally understand your concern and your point. I mean, you applied, and you wanted them to at least have a look at who you are! And I can't say anything but that I can't agree with you more!

Buuuuut, on the other hand, that's not how it works. And I don't think it's one specific school that is "not being nice", they all do this to some extent. But if a school (or potential employer for that matter) decides based on solely your resume that you aren't a good fit, then that's how it is. I know it seems it's not fair, but I also think there's a danger in believing that school applications will ever be "fair" in that sense. All schools say "they will look at the application "holistically". But that's maybe not true. I mean this is not your case - but imagine someone who has a low GMAT and low GPA, they maybe will glance at the resume, and if there's nothing interesting not even read the essays.

Again, maybe not fair, but that's how it works. And that's why I think you shouldn't waste too much time on this. They didn't want you... okay. There are other schools out there! And maybe you can figure out what went wrong in this application and apply to it to your future ones. I'm just afraid that this annoyance might east up too much of your time and energy, instead of you concentrating on other, and more important things, for which I wish you the best of luck,

Best,
Jon
Show more

Hey Jon,

First of all thank you for your advise there.

While I do agree with your point that a school has full right to decide on an applicant the way they want, let me assure you that my profile and GPA are not really an issue here. An Indian Candidate these days cannot survive without a 700+ GMAT, especially if from the IT background. I just hoped that the schools would convey the same to the students. If they had viewed the essay there was really no hassle, but the fact that they did not see it really emphasises the importance of GMAT in the rankings.

At least now I know for sure that the admission processes are not holistic.

Best
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MBA college did not View my Youtube Essay: DInged, Need advise 07 Jan 2015, 10:20
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Hi Jon,

Thanks for your reply!
I do agree with you to some extent. But at the same time, I had a chat with the admissions team earlier, before applying, and I conveyed the same concern- my GMAT score.

They said that the adcom addresses each application holistically. In that discussion I had already shared the GMAt score and my resume. If there was any red flag, they should have told me then and there.

I got through the whole process and took out time to make a 2 minute video essay. I had to shell out $100 for the application too. In the end the application team comes out to say that my GMAT isn't competitive!

I would say they tricked me into applying? Why can't they say that the GMAT is a major criteria for the school? Because if they had to see all touch-points of the application, they wouldve at least seen my essay, before taking a decision.

What are your thoughts?

Best!

Hey there,
I totally understand your concern and your point. I mean, you applied, and you wanted them to at least have a look at who you are! And I can't say anything but that I can't agree with you more!

Buuuuut, on the other hand, that's not how it works. And I don't think it's one specific school that is "not being nice", they all do this to some extent. But if a school (or potential employer for that matter) decides based on solely your resume that you aren't a good fit, then that's how it is. I know it seems it's not fair, but I also think there's a danger in believing that school applications will ever be "fair" in that sense. All schools say "they will look at the application "holistically". But that's maybe not true. I mean this is not your case - but imagine someone who has a low GMAT and low GPA, they maybe will glance at the resume, and if there's nothing interesting not even read the essays.

Again, maybe not fair, but that's how it works. And that's why I think you shouldn't waste too much time on this. They didn't want you... okay. There are other schools out there! And maybe you can figure out what went wrong in this application and apply to it to your future ones. I'm just afraid that this annoyance might east up too much of your time and energy, instead of you concentrating on other, and more important things, for which I wish you the best of luck,

Best,
Jon

Hey Jon,

First of all thank you for your advise there.

While I do agree with your point that a school has full right to decide on an applicant the way they want, let me assure you that my profile and GPA are not really an issue here. An Indian Candidate these days cannot survive without a 700+ GMAT, especially if from the IT background. I just hoped that the schools would convey the same to the students. If they had viewed the essay there was really no hassle, but the fact that they did not see it really emphasises the importance of GMAT in the rankings.

At least now I know for sure that the admission processes are not holistic.

Best
Show more


Well, look at it this way... I mean if they don't read your essays, in a way it's really they who lose out. GMAT doesn't tell the whole story, and of course this is why essays exist. But I think your lesson learned is also a good one. I should mention that it's not just GMAT, but a combination of GMAT, University, UG GPA, Workplace, Industry, and position. The Adcoms see all this in a bout 10 seconds, and this is the beginning of their evaluation.

I wish you luck with the rest of your applications, and don't let this one negative experience get you down. Just keep hacking at it, dude.

Best,
Jon