Yale Class of 2016 Calling all applicants!

Obviously I didn’t go to Yale. Couldn’t get in even if I wanted to

In answering the “why XXX school” questions, I challenge you to make the answer personal. Understanding someone else’s response is helpful, but that enthusiasm in your tone will give you away if the response is copied. For example, I often hear candidates talk about “Team Fuqua” as why they want to attend Fuqua. I find that response a bit insincere. A better response would be to tell a story of your interaction with a student/alum that caused you to have that feeling, and an example from your past experience when you have done the same for others.

Yes, I would love to hear this too!

My blog posts are a good starting point, in particular this one.

A lot had to do with fit for me. I just really felt right when at Yale. I connected with the people more in all aspects. They were the kind of people whose career histories interested me and whose career goals felt authentic and meaningful; it was easy to imagine having a drink with them, going bowling, or stuffing our faces with ice-cream. For these reasons, among many others, I had no trouble imagining myself here.

First of all, sorry that I'm late to the party, but I saw some classmates' Facebook posts so I thought I'd wander back and say Congratulations to all the 2016 admits!

I chose Yale for 2 reasons:
1) Compared to other programs, I found that Yale SOM students were much nicer and willing to go out of their way to help you answer a question about the program.
2) I see in the next 20 years, business is going to be much more about globalization. Yale has a much stronger name globally than the other schools I was admitted to, and there's actually a large focus on the global product. 30% of Class of 2015 is international, so forming bonds with those classmates is going to pay off in the future when I need to conduct business in their country.

I have a 3.14 GPA and 710 GMAT, you shouldn't be concerned!

Machichi kind of stole my response, but I will echo that SOM felt like the place that I could most clearly see myself becoming the leader I'd envisioned. That sounds a little cheesy and maybe just the slightest bit douchey, but it was a really personal and very hard choice. (My partner lives in the Triangle, and I have a few very good friends at Ross/Michigan Law.) One of the main reasons I was going to school was to broaden and deepen my network, and in order to do both I had to attend a school with a very diverse set of folks (careers-wise) and with folks who I felt I could make a connection with. 3 months in, SOM had definitely delivered on that part - I knew 100% of my classmates, and about 40% of the 2nd Years. Not just 'knew' as in I knew their faces and names, but 'knew' as in I'd had substantive conversations with them and knew where they were coming from and where they wanted to go. This year is even better - I can say that I know about 90% of the 1st Years so far, and that I am every bit as impressed by them and honored to be in their company as I am with my own classmates.

Hope this is helpful.

Quick reminder that student-led Winter Socials are being held all over the world and that registration is open. Some have already reached capacity, but wait lists are still open. Great opportunity to talk to current students about their experiences at SOM. Also - there will be 4-5 more added this week.

https://som.yale.edu/winter-socials-2013-2014

My GPA was only a 3.09 but my concentration was in the hard sciences so it's typically given more leniency (so I've heard...) I'm not sure how much I believe that Yale focuses on candidates with high GPA and GMAT scores, I took the GRE but based on the ETS conversion chart my GMAT was a 680. Not bad, but not incredibly strong.

One more thing schools look at is the quality of your undergraduate institution. So, adcom will be more lenient with an applicant who has a 3.1 from Top15 institution than with an applicant who has a 3.3 from a Tier 2 school.

Is anyone planning to go to the winter social at Los angeles on Dec 19th? I want to attend but the registration closed today Any idea whom to contact?

Check your inbox!

Thank you Aerien.
Received an email from admissions today. In case anyone else wants to attend ---- The Los Angeles registration has been re-opened till 5PM today (they did not tell the timezone..I am guessing EST)...

This one was so helpful! I met a silver scholar in Mountain View a couple of days ago. Gained a lot of insight.

All you guys who provide us information about Yale MBA program - you are all so awesome! I have been speaking to ambassadors from so many other schools, but nobody really goes beyond what is asked for. You guys are so friendly and share so much information and it all sounds so genuine. I really hope I am one of those lucky ones who gets to be part of Yale community. Applying in R2

Also, any last minute additions for the Irvine one tonight, PM me too.

If you haven't signed up yet for a Winter Social, please do. There are a bunch of additions in January!
https://som.yale.edu/winter-socials-2013-2014

So happy to be in! Now I need to decide between two awesome schools (Kellogg and Yale) -- any insights and opinions appreciated:
kellogg-vs-yale-som-164700.html

aerien, no Winter Socials in New Haven??

speedyb09, I don't know much about two bschools themselves, but I can offer some insight into both Evanston and New Haven. First off, as you mentioned, airports are a pain in New Haven. No one ever really uses Tweed (New Haven Airport) and most use Hartford or Laguardia/JFK. Convenient public transportation to those locations are pretty non-existent as well, and most use airport limousine shuttles. That said, Northwestern isn't really better off in terms of airport...

They both have access with relative ease to the city. MetroNorth/Amtrak can take you into NYC (and beyond) and the Purple Line can take you into Chicago with ease.

Evanston as a whole is a nicer, suburbier town (so many churches!). Rent is also probably a tad more expensive (but cheaper as you get away from campus). New Haven has a tiny Yale section in the middle of the city, with a not-so-great area surrounding it. That said, you probably will never have a reason to go beyond Yale's campus in New Haven. You can find a 2 bedroom in East Rock for say $1300, and plenty of dog friendly houses. Also there are parks near by (East Rock and there's a dog park on St. Ronan - awesome place to sled in the winter).

Weather is comparable in my opinion. Winters and summers are both terrible in both cities. The body of water by Northwestern (Lake Michigan) is way nicer than the Atlantic by New Haven...

But you should probably choose more based on the bschools themselves than the locations

Hey, this is great information, so thank you!

I believe we were supposed to get some sort of welcome packet in the mail (or maybe I am assuming this) -- has anyone received one? I have been stalking my mailbox like a hawk and now it is the holidays...