What are my chances this fall?

Question

I've lurked around these boards for around 8 months now, soaking up tons of great tips on the app process. I'm trying to finalize schools to apply to this fall, and I'd like to get an opinion on my profile. Hopefully fresh admits can give some perspective on how challenging my road will be.

GMAT: 780/6 1st try
GPA 3.84 at a large state school
Degree: BS Computer Science/BS International Business
WE: 2 years at large name brand consulting firm, 3+ at matriculation
Recommendations from my managers should be solid
Extracurriculars: strong during undergrad, weak afterwards. I do some volunteer work but it's not that substantial

I want to concentrate on entrepreneurship (who doesn't?) during school

Schools I'm interested in:
Sloan
Haas
Darden
Fuqua

Thanks

pelihu · Answer

Your profile looks really strong all around. Maybe not the flashy extracurriculars that they like at Harvard & Stanford, but everything else looks great. I'd say you have a solid shot at any of the schools on your list.

MIT is supposed to have a great structured entrepreneurship program. I didn't apply so I can't give specific details about it. Berkeley has the big advantage of being in the Bay Area, so if you are interested in tech entrepreneurship ventures or related VC, the Berkeley is a great choice. My sense is that Duke talks a good game (every school tries to point out they are good at everything and entrepreneurship is a really topic) but they have fewer concrete examples of how they can help an entrepreneur.

Now Darden. As you can see from my avatar, I'm headed there in the fall; and something that might be of interest to you - I'm going on a full scholarship through the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship. The Batten institute has one of the highest endowments for an entrepreneurship center at any business school and they host events like a business plan competition, business concept competition, VC competition and innovation challenge. They also have an incubator for promising projects and sponsor internships for Darden students (they help pay your salary if you go to a small startup/VC fund). I think Darden is a great place to focus on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial finance. Looking at your numbers, I'd guess you have a shot at the full scholarship as well; but they do have a pre-requisite of prior entrepreneurial endeavors, and the intent to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in the futures (which you should have covered). Send me a note if you'd like to find out more - maybe in the fall after I get to campus. Also, let me know if you make it to Charlottesville for a visit.

jchen1731 · Answer

very strong profile!!!

just make sure your application reflects your strong profile & definitely apply to sloan!! =)

tips for sloan app:
-make sure you visit the school
-cover letter is sincere and highlights how you will contribute
-be very detailed about your feeling/thoughts in your essays
-highlight only recent experiences (1-2 years, so no college accomplishments)

Good luck!!

dabots · Answer

thanks guys. hopefully ill get started early on those essays.

Remember that approximately 1/2 of all applicant with even 760+ GMAT scores get rejected at elite schools because they put far too little emphasis on their essays. Shortlist two or three schools and you schould be fine. I'd also recommend that you as early as possible (Sept~Nov 2007) and visit the schools BEFORE writing your essays, if possible. 

780 on your first shot really is impressive. 

What are your other stats? Nationality, foreign work experience, leadership positions, etc?

rhyme · Answer

I'm confused... did you just answer your own question with your own advice?

flapjack · Answer

I guess he was BSing us?

dabots · Answer

umm, did a mod reply by editing my reply?

my original reply was only the first line "thanks guys. hopefully ill get started early on those essays."

Praetorian · Answer

Thats what it looks like to me. Instead of clicking "quote", he/she clicked on "edit". 

This is rare, but it has happened before.

kwam · Answer

If you do not have a chance, I have no chance at all :roll:

Go for it, all you need now is to have good essays.

darren1010 · Answer

I was confused too. Can't stop laughing.

rhyme · Answer

Ok, well I was gonna say... 3.84/780 + brand name consulting ... why is H/S/W/K/C not on your list?

dabots · Answer

I don't think I'm really a Harvard type personality. Not to mention I think it would be quite a challenge to get into. Stanford would be great, but I've accepted that it's a pipe dream. I also don't want to go to school in NYC - too many distractions and high cost, so Columbia is out.

Although my stats are good, I know I have weakness that will hold me back. No international experience, weak leadership experience, and a so-so undergrad institution.

I'm worried about being considered as another boring candidate, as I don't travel much, rock climb, run marathons, etc. I like going to football games, basketball games, tailgating, and doing some misc hobbies. Do schools accept people like that anymore?

haddy74 · Answer

dude do not under-estimate yourself......state school will not hurt you at all....dream big....if you execute your application well, every ultra elite is within your reach.....well may be not HBS...but why not wharton...

rhyme · Answer

or kellogg or chicago or any of the other top 10s

pelihu · Answer

You should come to Darden. I love watching games and tailgating. Michigan is great for these activities as well.

haddy74 · Answer

and you really think that you will find time for these activities in the "boot camp".....

Praetorian · Answer

Whats your point? I am sorry, but I get really really pissed off when people do this. Is it too difficult to be just helpful and sincere? I am all for jokes and fun, but we will all be better off without unnecessary sarcasm.

pelihu · Answer

D@mn you're angry.

I have not doubt I will enjoy all of these activities and many more. "Bootcamp" is a term of endearment embraced by Darden students and alumni. It is not a pejorative to anyone associated with the school, and I'm certain that potential employers value the rigor of the program. Even so, I don't sense that Darden is measurably more difficult than many of the other top schools. In fact, when you consider the varying levels of commitment demanded by various schools for recruiting functions, the overall level of work at Darden is probably average.

I will say that the case study method will emphasize reading and communication skills more than some people are accustomed to. For people that are weak in those areas, the coursework at Darden will be more challenging. I imagine that people headed to Chicago or MIT with weak quantitative skills will find things equally challenging.

Finally, any concept of "boot camp" pretty much lasts for 1/2 year. The students that I have met have made the adjustment to the method of study by winter break. By all indications, 2nd year at Darden is very laid back. I'm certain that I will be spending substantial time with fellow students at the nearby golf course which hosts the UVA golf teams. $395 for an unlimited semester pass, and $995 for an entire year - a bargain to anyone that really enjoys golf.

kripalkavi · Answer

Me's looking at Darden VERY closely :zoom

.No, not for the golf course, for it's consulting strength

haddy74 · Answer

I was not angry at all. I apologize if my post sounded like a sarcastic email. I have never been to Darden and my post was merely reflecting a perceived impression about Darden's notorious first year workload; usually referred as a boot camp. Although my post does sound like a Darden-bashing post, in reality I ( and also recruiters as it is a well known fact among business circles) deeply admire Dardenâ€™s commitment to academic quality by pushing you hard and that is precisely what I was trying to reflect by mentioning your potential inability to watch sports while at Darden.

What are my chances this fall?

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