M7 or Try to Defer or Reapply

Question

I put my deposit down at one of the M7s, and I was set on going to the school until my work just offered me a great opportunity (a big title bump and a big raise). I would be taking on a lot more responsibilities, working on high profile clients and having a much bigger impact at work (will be reporting directly to C-suite and leading a division rather than just a team of 4). However, this is not the industry that I want to stay in long term. Should I be taking this opportunity and turning down my offer? I'm going to try to defer but if they say no, should I take this job opportunity and reapply in a year? Do schools view applicants who turned them down for a job opportunity negatively? My dream school is GSB, so if I reapply I would like to take another stab at H/S.

Admissionado · Answer

lilyfraic :

Based on your description of this opportunity, (which I realize is ambiguous by design), I would take the seat at the M7 school.

Is it safe to assume you applied to GSB and HBS particularly since the former is your dream school? If so, I don't see this job drastically improving your odds of getting in as a reapplicant.

If you turn down this M7 after putting a deposit, you may be blacklisted from that school. They will tell you otherwise but I would definitely not count on being re-accepted after withdrawing.

Harvard and Stanford are fantastic programs but, in truth, all the M7 schools are all fantastic and will provide you with many opportunities to do well in your career. Take the opportunity and move forward in your career.

Congrats and good luck!

-Admissionado

lilyfraic · Answer

Correct, I will be a re-applicant. Do you know what kind of new WE would improve my odds as a re-applicant?

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

lilyfraic If you want to take the job offer on its own merits without any expectations of how it would factor into your admission chances then go for that, but I would absolutely not roll the dice hoping that this role would get you into a more prestigious school than you already have landed. Work experience is really just one of many variables that factors into the admissions process along with diversity and personality and outside contribution. Will the things that you gain or learn in this role allow you to apply to a different level in a new/different industry? Or would you just be throwing a good time after bad.

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Admissionado · Answer

lilyfraic :

It depends. It could be a significant promotion, a new role that is closer to your previously stated career goal, a shift in company or industry. It all depends on the context of your reapplication story.

Also, you do need to move quickly on accomplishing things and building relationships in whatever new work experience you acquire. You might also be expected to bring a new letter of recommendation from this role to your new application.

So, as you can tell, there are a lot of things that have to fall into place for new work experience to make sense for a successful reapplication.

Hope things work out for you,
Admissionado

M7 or Try to Defer or Reapply

M7 or Reapply

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