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Question

I've been spending the last week or so trying to figure out what I would do if I didn't get into Chicago GSB. I doubt anyone goes into this process expecting to get rejected from all the schools they apply to (unless, like me, you only apply to one school :shock:

), but it's happened to people before, and it can happen to any one of us. But my point here isn't to freak people out more, but to have a place for people to discuss their alternatives and get input from other board members. Having plans A, B, and C can really help curb anxiety about getting in or not getting in. Realizing you have options and that this process isn't the end of the world (no matter how much it feels like it) is good. Maybe I'm not alone on this? That said: I've mentioned other places on this board that I want to do something to change the education system in the US. But I constantly hear admissions consultants and other so called experts say things about how easy it is to just start a business. "No need whatsoever to get an MBA, just get online and start coding!" But no one ever seems to consider that there are people out there who don't want an e-business. :roll:

I have a very specific social mission that is more important than getting a few dot com successes under my belt. So I've been worried about not hearing back for an interview because I think there are so many preconceptions that admissions people might have about what I want to do or how I should do it. The proper course of action, of course, is to look for alternate ways to reach your goals. I'd ruled out Teach for America, thought about Americorp to get a position in a school district... But then I actually looked into Ashoka ( https://www.ashoka.org/ ). I'd heard the name of it before, but never went to check it out (didn't think it applied to me). I can't believe I didn't learn about this sooner! But now I have another possible route, and I realize a denial won't stop my train. Anyone got any other suggestions for me? Any stories to share?

togafoot · Answer

for me, this is my first and last chance to do an MBA because of my age. I had several alternatives - sit in my company and take longer to move up the ladder. The skills related trainings for the role i want are budgeted so the amount of learning i will do during an MBA will accelerate this process. Alternatively, i could focus on income and go back into the contracting market, where for my skillset i can charge from $600-$1500 a day depending on the industry ( i have friends doing something similar so i know the going rate for my skillset). However the income option will mean i have to ply my trade in the UK due to the nature of thew industry in the UK. ( I have a friend who earns $200k per annum working as an IT contractor in a bank (deutsch), and another friend earning $150 per hour working as an IT contractor in pharmaceuticals( P&G) ).
Focus is on job interest rather than income. So i don`t actually care if i earn less than now after the MBA as long as the job is interesting, has good growth opportunities and is not significantly below what i am earning now after quality of life assessments depending on which country i end up.

adcxaway · Answer

hi prodigy

like you, chicago was the only school i applied to (in r2).... so all my hopes are on chicago.

I've thought about what I'll do if I'm not accepted. I guess I'll continue at my current job, take a few additional online classes and maybe do some entrepreneurship. i guess maybe raising capital might be hard, but it might just be the matter of finding the same like minded people who are interested to get together and do something different.

aaudetat · Answer

Prodigy -

Coming from NP, I can tell you that it's important to have some sort of street cred. AmeriCorps and TFA are two great ways of getting in there, getting your hands dirty, and showing people that you've been there.

There are lots of new schools doing pretty interesting work. Also check in Nativity School (it's a nationwide model, but there's one in Durham). Yesterday I got an email from Uncommon Schools, which is in the Northeast.

You might check out NetImpact to see if you can find listings. The CASE website (caseatduke.org) will probably have some info as well.

Good luck

AAu

saniko · Answer

Peace Corps! It's a 27 month commitment and it can be dangerous, but I highly recommend it. I taught New Zealand business classes in the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific and it was the most challenging and incredible experience of my life.

riverripper · Answer

I was pretty set on returning this year. I applied to 3 UE in R1 and was going to do a few lower ranked schools in R2...I was going one way or another. I am not so old that it would be impossible to wait a year or two. I just wanted to move on and now seemed like the ideal time.

ncp · Answer

prodigy, in the long term, I want to open a boutique consulting firm that works with government agencies on special technology projects targeted at community development. I was fortunate to get admitted to an elite school this year. If I had been dinged across the board, I would have taken up a position(I have a standing job offer) in the local city council. I had already worked with the SF mayor's office on a critical initiative and had developed networks there.

So, I would have applied to Haas PT(I believe I would have got in) and taken up this job with the city. I would have then worked in that position for a couple of years while doing the groundwork(gaining domain knowledge, getting enough contacts) for my business launch.

So, I would have applied to Haas PT(I believe I would have got in) and taken up this job with the city. I would have then worked in that position for a couple of years while doing the groundwork(gaining domain knowledge, getting enough contacts) for my business launch.

Strategery · Answer

I only applied to two schools: Darden and UNC. Due to my youth and (relative lack of) experience, I figured that was about as high as I could aim, and they both seem like good fits. I didn't get into UNC, which makes me less than optimistic about Darden.

I don't feel my present job offers much in the way of advancement opportunities, so I'm looking around. I'd like to get out of Nebraska. I'm pretty sure I'm going to take a job teaching the GMAT for one of the big boys (won't say who just yet) in order to get to a new city, then figure things out from there while doing the teaching/tutoring gig at least part-time.

Prodigy · Answer

Thanks Aaudetat! Is this true for people who have actually lived in these situations? I guess I understand the need for people who are outside of the community to do this sort of thing, but in your experience are there many people in the NP sector that actually come from the communities they want to help? Or is it mostly middle class do gooders?
TFA... I have such mixed feelings on it...

Saniko, are the PeaceCorps strictly international work? I'd want to at least be in America so I can do some work on my business at the same time...

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