Trying to decide whether to apply now or next fall...would like to go now if my chances of getting in are good. Want to apply to Columbia, HBS, and Wharton
About me:
23 year old female
Biracial (but not an under-represented minority)
Gmat: Dec 08: 730 Q:49 V:40
Graduated in May 2007 from a top 10 school with a BS in Economics
GPA: 3.7
Very involved in undergrad, lots of good extracurriculars, but haven't done much since college except work excessively
Have been working in real estate ibanking for a year and a half
Can give more info if it helps!
GMAT Forum
4 postsPage 1 of 1
- MBAApply
If you haven't started on your applications yet, I don't think you can put in a strong enough set of applications in two weeks time (plus having to coach your recommenders over Christmas break). If this is the case, I would suggest you wait until next year if you can.
However, if you're knee deep in the applications process (you have some essay drafts already, your recommenders are in the process of crafting the rec letters) then you might as well give it a shot for Round 2.
In short, given your profile you should be competitive for any of the schools mentioned - you're not an outlier (i.e. the superstar candidate nor are the schools out of your league). You're in the mix for these schools so anything can happen. As for extracurriculars, adcoms know that bankers don't have any time while working, so you can rely on your college activities. Good luck
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
However, if you're knee deep in the applications process (you have some essay drafts already, your recommenders are in the process of crafting the rec letters) then you might as well give it a shot for Round 2.
In short, given your profile you should be competitive for any of the schools mentioned - you're not an outlier (i.e. the superstar candidate nor are the schools out of your league). You're in the mix for these schools so anything can happen. As for extracurriculars, adcoms know that bankers don't have any time while working, so you can rely on your college activities. Good luck
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
- MBAApply
You need the time to commit fully to develop a talent that can lead to some sort of accomplishment.
That's who overachievers are. They work their tails off in something they're obsessed about, of which the byproduct is usually some sort of notable achievement. That doesn't happen overnight, and no one can tell what that "achievement" should be.
The kinds of b-school applicants who were nationally ranked swimmers and gymnasts didn't do it for their applications. They did it because they loved it, and spent enough time (i.e. since they were young) to hone and work at what they loved. The fact that they became nationally ranked and/or reached a level of perfomance beyond the average person is usually a byproduct of those years of sacrifice and hard work. Same with the military officer who got a bronze star for valor in combat, or the woman who wins a substantive community service award for her *years* of service and dedication to that community. Or the debate champion who has been honing his public speaking skills in debate clubs since high school. Or the published writer (who has probably spent years formally and informally writing and writing and writing).
So in other words, if you aren't that overachiever today, it may be too late in time for the b-school apps in 1-2 years time. BUT, it's never too late to work towards being an overachiever over a longer time horizon (irrespective of b-school).
Another way to put it is that most of the overachievers in whatever endeavor are driven by a compulsion and obsession over that specific activity or thing they love, which they plug away at for long periods of time.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
That's who overachievers are. They work their tails off in something they're obsessed about, of which the byproduct is usually some sort of notable achievement. That doesn't happen overnight, and no one can tell what that "achievement" should be.
The kinds of b-school applicants who were nationally ranked swimmers and gymnasts didn't do it for their applications. They did it because they loved it, and spent enough time (i.e. since they were young) to hone and work at what they loved. The fact that they became nationally ranked and/or reached a level of perfomance beyond the average person is usually a byproduct of those years of sacrifice and hard work. Same with the military officer who got a bronze star for valor in combat, or the woman who wins a substantive community service award for her *years* of service and dedication to that community. Or the debate champion who has been honing his public speaking skills in debate clubs since high school. Or the published writer (who has probably spent years formally and informally writing and writing and writing).
So in other words, if you aren't that overachiever today, it may be too late in time for the b-school apps in 1-2 years time. BUT, it's never too late to work towards being an overachiever over a longer time horizon (irrespective of b-school).
Another way to put it is that most of the overachievers in whatever endeavor are driven by a compulsion and obsession over that specific activity or thing they love, which they plug away at for long periods of time.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
4 posts Page 1 of 1