So this year’s attempts to get into a full-time MBA program have ended in failure.
Next steps:
- Find a job that allows me to grow in areas of current weakness. Until now, I’ve worked as a software engineer with very little client interaction. I’m going to pursue job opportunities that will give me more face time with clients while allowing me to utilize my engineering expertise.
- As painful as this will be, I should study for the GMAT and retake it to shoot for a score in the mid 700s (my current score is 700).
- Talk to people in various careers that I might be interested in to get a clearer idea of what I want to do post-MBA.
- Find a non-church related non-profit to volunteer my time with.
Where to apply next year:
- Columbia Business School ED: I will apply early decision, since I will be working in New York anyways. Hopefully getting my application submitted early decision will boost my likelihood of getting admitted.
- Georgetown McDonough R1: I was actually planning on applying to Georgetown this year but didn’t go through with it because my wife’s career pursuits did not allow her to move to DC. This may change next year though. The good thing about applying next year is that if I get admitted, I’ll get to have at least a year in their new building!
- London Business School R1: My wife and I spent a few months living in London this past year and fell in love with it. We want to live and work abroad, so perhaps a non-US MBA will be good for me.
- Cambridge Judge: Same as above.
- Oxford Said: Same as above.
If I find a great job at a great company, I might even decide to forgo the full-time MBA path and go the part-time MBA route.
Don’t get me wrong—I am quite disappointed with the outcome of this year’s admissions process but I have no other choice but to remain hopeful about my future. Thanks to those who have walked with me through this process. Congrats to those who have admits and will attend business school this fall! Maybe I will join you next year. 
Your positive attitude and resiliency will get you far in your career and in life. Gluck with the job search and the process next year.
I like the positive attitude you have for next year. I have nno doubt you will be part of the class of 2010. As far as the GMAT, why don’t you wait until you get feedback on your application to see if it is even necessary to retake it.
Yeah, I will definitely ask Columbia for feedback. I figure it can’t hurt to have a higher GMAT score and it at least shows that I’m making efforts to enhance my application.
Sorry about the news. I’ve enjoyed hearing about your progress, despite the outcome. I am currently waiting to hear from both Columbia and Stern…I think all hope is lost elsewhere, save one waitlist. Fingers crossed. But it sounds like you’ve got a good plan for the next year. As a reapplicant in earlier rounds you should be playing a much more favorable numbers game. 700 is fine as far as I’m concerned (better be…that’s what I got). If this process doesn’t work out for me, I’ll refer to something that a wise man once told me. He said, “if i had [done something that took an extra year], the only difference in my life is that I would have been on Wall Street for 39 years instead of 40.” Best of luck to you.
Sorry to hear about your dings… but looks like you’ve got a good plan for next year, so all the best!
Man, Peter…that sucks. Not gonna mince words — I might be in the same boat as you here in a few weeks, and you’re right…the best thing you can do is continue to move in the ways God is directing you. I firmly believe we’re put through setbacks just to become more assured of where we’re supposed to be. Hang in there, buddy.
[...] future at Tuck has been ascertained. Similarly upholding an honorable attitude, Peter vows to have better luck next time, mapping out a comprehensive plan to advance to a more customer facing role, improve his GMAT, [...]
Peter, Sorry to hear about that. I am sure you will do great next time. When I attended the Columbia information session, I met with few students from the engineering background. Quite a few of them were denied the first time and they chose to reapply. They got an admit second time around. You could also probably get your essays reviewed from students who were engineers in Columbia business school(if you have not already done so). That might help in addition to the official feedback… Here’s wishing you the best!
Hi!
Just a question. Why do you think you need non-church related volunteer experience? I mean, is it a handicap being or talking about being a Christian in your application?
Kepp trying! I would!
Thanks.
Hi Peter! As you may have seen in our blog earlier today, your blog has been nominated for Clear Admit’s annual Best of Blogging Awards. You can find more information about the contest and a complete list of the nominees at http://blog.clearadmit.com/2007/04/best-of-blogging-nominees-2007/.
Input from the nominees is a key part of establishing the final ranking, so we’d love to have you participate. If you’re interested in voting, simply email us at bestofblogging@clearadmit.com to receive a ballot.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
the Clear Admit team
I suggest that you take a closer look at Kenan-Flagler next year, too. I see you have an interest in sustainable enterprise and even have a link to KF, so you are obviously aware of the program. The MBA program and Kenan-Flagler shares a lot of the same qualities as the Johnson School, and in many respects I think it is a stronger program than Yale SOM even though the brand name isn’t as strong. However, what stood out most to me about Kenan-Flagler is that their graduates are competing head to head with many of the higher ranked programs and are definately holding their own. They are meeting great success in placing grads on Wall Street, top MC firms, and wide array of other industries. Plus Chapel Hill offers a great quality of life and the people there are super nice.
Kenan-Flagler wasn’t on my initial list of schools, as I have a slight aversion to anything south of the Mason-Dixon line, but they really won me over.
Either way, I wish you better luck next year.
Chris
Yeah, I think the Kenan-Flagler MBA would be a great fit for me considering my interests. Unfortunately, I’m somewhat restricted by my wife’s career and at this point, we don’t want to live apart. Otherwise, I would totally consider Kenan-Flagler along with a bunch of other schools in the top 20-25 (UMich, Carnegie Mellon, UVa).
Hi Peter,
I very much empathize with you on your views. I am in a similar boat meaning I am a software guy with minimal interaction with the outside world. I moved to NY from my previous job in the hopes of finding a foothold in the financial world. I would also like to find a non-profit or some society-based interaction program.
I wish you good luck with all your future endeavors
Sridhar