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17 Mar 2026, 00:10
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Hey All,
I don't know if this is the right forum to post this in.
But, I would request if some expert can guide me into this decision. I am extremely confused.
bb, woody93, abhimahna, souvik101990
My profile -
Tuck has always been my dream school, but due to time constraints, I had applied to Duke and UNC KF only, as both have good healthcare concentrations which suit my short term and long term goals.
I got into UNC KF with $$ (30k/annum), but was waitlisted (before interview) and finally rejected by Duke.
Still, this means a significant loan amount for me.
I plan to request and ask for an increase in scholarship amount, but I don't have any competing offers. So am not overly optimistic even though it would be a genuine ask.
But the main dilemma for me -
I would be extremely happy to hear out everyone's views.
I don't know if this is the right forum to post this in.
But, I would request if some expert can guide me into this decision. I am extremely confused.
bb, woody93, abhimahna, souvik101990
My profile -
- Indian applicant
- GMAT - 655
- Bachelor's in Pharmacy from Mumbai University
- Work ex - 6 years
- 2020 to 2022 - pharma business/startup
- 2022 to 2026 - Capgemini, grew from a junior Business Analyst to Product Owner for life science/medical device products
Tuck has always been my dream school, but due to time constraints, I had applied to Duke and UNC KF only, as both have good healthcare concentrations which suit my short term and long term goals.
- Short term -
- Preferred - get into Life science strategy/consulting either at a MBB/Boutique life science consulting firms/pharma or medical device companies.
- Back up - get into General Management LDPs at pharma or medical device companies.
- Long term - VC in healthcare sector.
I got into UNC KF with $$ (30k/annum), but was waitlisted (before interview) and finally rejected by Duke.
Still, this means a significant loan amount for me.
I plan to request and ask for an increase in scholarship amount, but I don't have any competing offers. So am not overly optimistic even though it would be a genuine ask.
But the main dilemma for me -
- Wait for another year - this means, delaying my career by an year. Giving the GMAT again, focus on profile building again, then try for Tuck, and other similar tier college such as Darden, Ross and Fuqua (again). With no surity that I will get into those or even get a similar scholarship from UNC KF.
- Go now
I would be extremely happy to hear out everyone's views.
Hey congratulations on the admit rushimehta!
That's awesome they gave a scholarship! That recognizes your profile and your contribution to the program though your 655 is not particularly standing out to them esp among your peers.
I would say your decision would depend on you being able to bring to the table a higher score (this is a bit assumption) but looking at your profile that you got WL'ed by Fuqua and UNC admitted you, means with a slightly higher score (+20-30) you would get into Fuqua (again, just ideating a bit) and with 50+ points, likely be thinking/talking about $$ at Fuqua and a full ride at UNC.
Would you be able to eek out extra 50 or more points on the GMAT or potentially get that GRE up to 330+ score or higher? (I have seen GRE be a bit of a hit and miss and less predictable as an admit but it is absolutely easier, hence the unpredictability
).
So, where do you stand on the GMAT score side of things?
P.S. Also applying to Fuqua in Early Decision will have a bigger impact than your R2 applications but it is likely not going to materially change the outcome if you can't get the score up.
That's awesome they gave a scholarship! That recognizes your profile and your contribution to the program though your 655 is not particularly standing out to them esp among your peers.
I would say your decision would depend on you being able to bring to the table a higher score (this is a bit assumption) but looking at your profile that you got WL'ed by Fuqua and UNC admitted you, means with a slightly higher score (+20-30) you would get into Fuqua (again, just ideating a bit) and with 50+ points, likely be thinking/talking about $$ at Fuqua and a full ride at UNC.
Would you be able to eek out extra 50 or more points on the GMAT or potentially get that GRE up to 330+ score or higher? (I have seen GRE be a bit of a hit and miss and less predictable as an admit but it is absolutely easier, hence the unpredictability
).So, where do you stand on the GMAT score side of things?
P.S. Also applying to Fuqua in Early Decision will have a bigger impact than your R2 applications but it is likely not going to materially change the outcome if you can't get the score up.
18 Mar 2026, 23:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hey bb,
Thanks for the quick response!
Haha - I won't say I am super confident of increasing my GMAT by around 50 points. I have been studying for the GMAT since mid-2023. And got this score after a 2 and half years of prep. This doesn't mean that I won't put in the efforts to try and improve it, in case I opt to apply next year.
Currently, I am trying to request adcom for some additional financial aid, not too optimistic about it, as I don't have competing offers.
I am also taking another shot at the GMAT this march end, trying to increase my score and see if it helps me seek more financial aid.
Overall, though I know UNC is a great school and is top 20 in USA while in the top 50 globally, I had a couple of questions -
1. Is the brand name and the school good enough to not wait for an additional year and try my luck with the upper tier of college.
2. How much impact does brand name have in the long run ? Let's say I go to UNC this year OR I get into Tuck/Fuqua/Darden the coming year... would it make a huge difference ? Given UNC is a T20 school while the others somewhat rank around the T10/15 range.
3. The opportunity cost - In case I get into the upper tier colleges, would the lost year be worth it ? Or would the additional year in market post MBA make much more sense ?
I will also keep you posted on any updates related to my process.
Thank you for all the help!
Thanks for the quick response!
Haha - I won't say I am super confident of increasing my GMAT by around 50 points. I have been studying for the GMAT since mid-2023. And got this score after a 2 and half years of prep. This doesn't mean that I won't put in the efforts to try and improve it, in case I opt to apply next year.
Currently, I am trying to request adcom for some additional financial aid, not too optimistic about it, as I don't have competing offers.
I am also taking another shot at the GMAT this march end, trying to increase my score and see if it helps me seek more financial aid.
Overall, though I know UNC is a great school and is top 20 in USA while in the top 50 globally, I had a couple of questions -
1. Is the brand name and the school good enough to not wait for an additional year and try my luck with the upper tier of college.
2. How much impact does brand name have in the long run ? Let's say I go to UNC this year OR I get into Tuck/Fuqua/Darden the coming year... would it make a huge difference ? Given UNC is a T20 school while the others somewhat rank around the T10/15 range.
3. The opportunity cost - In case I get into the upper tier colleges, would the lost year be worth it ? Or would the additional year in market post MBA make much more sense ?
I will also keep you posted on any updates related to my process.
Thank you for all the help!
