Wharton: A Note to Indian Applicants

Question

DEar All
I was denied admission last year and one of the feedback points by WHarton was

WHen you have so many research publications and awards at your undergrad why is ur undergrad percentile 66?

I had to explain the difference between percentile (relative) and percentage (absolute) and had to tell her that the topper of the university got 69%. The difference was clearly mentioned by a note from my undergrad deAN IN MY transcript but they havent looked into it

She advised If I plan to reapply I need to mention about this unconventional scoring system in my optional essay

I figured that this could be a problem to other Indians and hence wanted to share the same.

All the best

aviroop · Answer

Hmmm....
doesnt Wharton know about this, considering that thousands of Indian applicants apply there, excluding IITians.

Is it possible to address your low percentile in a separate essay?

venky1979 · Answer

Thats wat they said use the optional essay

grad_mba · Answer

That's hard luck venky.
Thanks for sharing the information.

Was there any other gen feedback which you think might be helpful for us?

rrajiv · Answer

thanks for sharing the information venky... you typically see this subject (how to translate your gpa) discussed in several places... however, most adcoms say that they are used to students from universities all over the world and that they know how to decipher the respective gpa systems... i am surprised that a school such as wharton would commit a blunder like this!

mNeo · Answer

Venky,

I remember reading some posts of yours in the 2007 pants pooping threads. So are you planning to reapply this year? And/Or do you plan to apply to new schools? Do you want to share with us anything else that you learned about the application process and about why you didn't get the schools of your choice the last time?

venky1979 · Answer

I have been interviewed by IIMC PGPEX 1 year and expecting results next week

I am awaiting results to decide to reapply

venky1979 · Answer

I took feedback from wharton and Kellogg They went to great depths in analyzing my app Wharton feedback: actually they pointed out that they were struggling to understand me as a person from my essays. They managed to understand my goals (she literally used the statement managed to understand) They gave feedback on how I could improve my failure essay and wanted in genral info to help them understand me as a person. They were very severe on my failure essay. They said that with the info i provided they are unable to have a judgement on my app. THey were pleased with my recos and mentioned very clearly that focus of repp to be essays only and I need to explain my unusual scoring mechniasm of my university i.e Mumbai university in optional essays as my research publications, awards are not in sync with thier understanding of my undergrad GPA

. They wanted me to take time out do some deep introspection and write essays that reveals me Kellogg Kellogg said they Liked my goal essay, GMAt scores and professional exp But thier argument was winning 4 national awards in public speaking is great but public speaking is a singular activity. I come across as a singular personality. They want the same level of achievement as a comuunity service/team contribution activities. Anybody with 6+ years of experience gets opportunities to manage teams but that doesnt say that you care for the community. Her literal comment was "Stop Thinking of urself and tell us in ur next app how you can contribute to the community" Hope this helps

mNeo · Answer

Thanks a lot venky!! This is certainly very valuable.

rrajiv · Answer

this is valuable information... thanks for sharing venky!

grad_mba · Answer

Thank you buddy, all the best for IIMC PGPEX !!

venky1979 · Answer

welcome all the best to you all to

aurobindo · Answer

Thanks Venky. Wish you a nice time at IIM Cal. I am sure you have been to campus. They have a beautiful campus, with a couple of small lakes

You will find this quote of Aurobindo in campus :

In silence, real learning happens :wink:

venky1979 · Answer

Thanks a lot for ur wishes

kripalkavi · Answer

Pure Gold. Thanks a ton Venky, you are the man!

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