What are my chances?

Question

Hello,

Could you please estimate my chances of being accepted for b-schools such as Marriott-Brigham Young University and Notre Dame for fall 2007.

I apllied to them for fall 2006, but was dinged by both of them. does that fact somehow weakens my application? 

Profile:
I'm from Uzbekistan where I currently live and work. Uzbek. Moslem. Age 22. Graduated in April 2005 with honors, GMAT score is 660(Q50, V31), Toefl 267, WE - employed by a local near monopoly - manufacturer of security devices. 'm the youngest manager and a head of the quality department, formation of which I initated. Don't know whether it is considered a WOW factor, but my team have elaborated and prepared company in the shortest possible time for ceritification, and in 2005 the company successfully passed and received int-l certificate ISO 9001-2000. 

Because of the conservative environment where I used to live, I will not apply to any other b-school except BYU and Notre Dame. What are my chances for fall 2007, and what would you recommend me do to strengthen my application.

Best regards,
Dilshod

Accepted.com · Answer

Dilshod,

For the most part, schools view  reapplicants  favorably--they admire persistence. This holds true at both Notre Dame and BYU, where their acceptance rates for reapplicants (50% and 55%, respectively) match their acceptance rates for all applicants (51% and 51%). So you will be at no disadvantage.

I don't understand your statement that "Because of the conservative environment where I used to live, I will not apply to any other b-school except BYU and Notre Dame." Both schools are conservative, it's true, but Notre Dame is Catholic and BYU is Mormon, so if you as a Muslim are hoping to be admitted because of "shared conservative values" I think you're making a mistake. 

The fact that you are from Uzbekistan and are Muslim improves your odds at many schools because these are unusual data points. I recommend that you consider other schools. Your age/work experience may be the real reason for your dings, though you certainly seem to be achieving at a high level for someone at the start of their career.

Good luck!

Dilshod · Answer

Dear Paul, 
I appreciate your attention very much, thank you.

But, could you please, answer to some more questions, regarding BYU:

As far as I know, Mormons and Muslims share a lot of social and spiritual commonalities. I’ve read their Honor Code, and its requirements are nearly the same as those of our society and religion. So, I guess it will be easier for me to adapt to that environment, than to any other liberal one. But, do you think, that the fact I’m Muslim place me at natural disadvantage? May they have any special scales for admission of non-Mormons? Do you have any idea, why the student body at BYU is so homogeneous? 

Please, note that after receiving the degree, I’m going to return to Uzbekistan and work for the company that sponsored my education.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Best regards,
Dilshod

Accepted.com · Answer

Dilshod,

I respect your desire to find a B-school that matches your values. I think you should write an essay in your application to Notre Dame about the similarities you see between Catholicism and Islam. I think they would welcome that.

I think BYU is a different story, however. Their admissions director says: 
"We don't have any restrictions that say you must be a member of the   church. But because we require that they live by the same standards that members of the church do while they're here, it's not desirable for some people." That sounds open-minded, right? Well, in reality at least 85% of BYU's entering students have spent the previous 2 years doing Mormon missionary work--that is, they are church members. 
Moreover, BYU's admissions director states that the number of students who are not Mormons "tends to be about 5% of the class." 

Only 5 percent! So a Muslim applicant at BYU isn't any worse off than a Catholic applicant: if you aren't a Mormon the odds are small.

I recommend looking harder for B schools that have conservative environments. I'm sure you can find a campus where you can feel comfortable.

Good luck,

Dilshod · Answer

Dear Paul,
Thank you for reply.
Sorry for not asking all my questions in one post. The questions are just popping up after I read your posts.
Please, answer to another question:
 
As an int-l student, I'm not eligible for any loans or federal aid. Thus the cost is an issue in my case. Could you please, recommend or advice me decent schools where the chances to receive fin.aid or grant are relatively high(for foreign students)?

Thank you in advance,
Best Regards
Dilshod

Accepted.com · Answer

Dilshod,

Sorry, but my expertise is not in the financial aid side of business school. Check out the Financial Aid resources in the "B-schools" section of Business Week online.

Good luck,

Dilshod · Answer

Thanks for replies, Paul.

While reading many b-school forums I encountered several times "a good fit" term related to BYU MBA. However, I didn't find any precise information on Marriott official web-site on what is considered a good fit by adcom and how important it is to be a good fit.
Do you have any idea, what is a fit for Marriott?

Best Regards,
Dilshod

Accepted.com · Answer

Dilshod,

I believe I already answered your question regarding "good fit" at BYU. I recommend that you read the Q&A's with BYU's admissions director at Business Week's B-school website. 

Good luck,

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