EMBA Admissions

Question

I'm struggling with where to put my focus on, I am in the process of applying to Booth (Chicago), Columbia, Fuqua (Duke), Goizueta (Emory), Johnson (Cornell), and Kellogg (Northwestern) EMBA programs. For the most part, cost of attendance isn't a concern of mine, as I'm a retiring Army veteran who has full use of my Post 9/11 GI bill and bring 21+ years of Special Operations experience. Early testing for the Executive Assessment is low 151s, which will make all of the testing requirements for any of the above schools that require it. My interviews are not a concern of mine, nor are my essays as I have alumni, and coaches from my network assisting me with each school.

Travel is not an issue due to funding from my military benefits, plus additional post military retirement cash flow.

My problem is other than providing leadership, I really don't know what I want to do in industry as I retire, and hope to figure it out through the EMBA process. I really do not know what order of precedence to focus my admissions efforts on. I do plan to apply during Round 2/mid-winter admissions.

Most alumni that I connect with speaks highly about their program, non-really say they'd have been just as happy or happier learning from another program.

Any objective thoughts/experiences are helpful, and I apologize if I come across as over-confident.

pintukr · Answer

Have you considered EMBA programs from the IIMs in India? These reputed institutions command great premium in the business arena.

All the Best.

Archit3110 · Answer

All listed schools are good. Shortlist school based on your long term post MBA goals.. connect with alumni and adcom

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Hey! Welcome to GMAT Club  Thomas098

Interesting, I did not realize the GI bill covered EMBA's - that's awesome! Did not realize this. 
Military folks are in short supply at MBA programs, so they always look out to recruit some, esp. someone as experienced as you.

In terms of a career, I would consider what you enjoy doing. Is it helping people? Is it doing technical things and never speaking to another human? do you enjoy managing people? (leadership is all about managing) or maybe you would prefer consulting (that's lots of travel and probably not your cup of tea or maybe it is...) I would start with basics and then consider if you want to do maybe procurement and logistics (lots of good experience there).

If you are going to do an EMBA, are you planning not to be working during the week since the program is only 1-2 weekends per month? Is that a good fit or perhaps a Masters of some kind would be more suitable?

It is awesome by the way you want to keep improving and learning and pushing the envelope. It is so easy to shut down and just box oneself, so Kudos on taking the EA. There is a good chance they may waiver it. By the way, I would perhaps take one of the potential career tracks and approach the EMBA admissions team at one of the programs and get a sense of your chances and also requirements. I would also ask them to connect you with any of the veterans in the program to get the lay of the land.

P.S. By the way, admissions in EMBA programs are more of concierges than gatekeepers, so they can tell you your chances over the phone. Their goal is to recruit you and get you into the program, rather than keep you out, so highly recommend chatting with a few of them but I would get your goals first to make it more productive and to make sure they take you very seriously.

In terms of schools, it is hard to tell. These are grate programs. Usually the bigger the program, the better - that gives you greater network and more diverse which helps in case most of your class are healthcare execs or smth like that and you want to do Finance.

Thomas098 · Answer

The GI Bill pays full tuition regardless of the program, but pays full BAH if the school recognizes the EMBA program as a full time program. All of the schools I'm looking at are considered full time programs.

Honestly I know what I want to do, just not how. Do you my experience I equate management with leadership. I believe that if management/leadership invests into building the team better, that team will do exponentially more work, with less workforce turnover. I want to use quantitative analysis to justify me investing company resources into making lives of that organization better. Not quite sure how that works.

I'm currently studying for the EA, I'll really dive in hard the next two months for studying and I'm looking to apply during R2.

So far everyone for admissions for each of those programs is confident I'll be accepted, pending my EA score for the programs that require it.

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Got it. Good luck!
As a military person and someone who has contributed so much to lives and safety of others, I will be happy to provide you access to our EA tests. They are a bit hard on the IR side and will lowball your score, so keep that in mind. I have activated your access to tests 2,3,4, and 5

https://gmatclub.com/eatests/

Thank you,
BB

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