A Pleasant Surprise... Followed by Another

I think I wrote about this before, but it is a strange combination of feelings you get after submitting an application.  For me there is a sense of relief, but also an uneasy feeling that everything is now out of my hands.  After submitting my round two applications, I did feel confident that I put together the best applications I could, and whatever was going to happen.

About a week after submitting my application to Tepper, I received an unexpected email.  An interview invite!  I was pumped, especially because I was expecting it to be at least three to four weeks before I heard back.  Luckily I had already started prepping and I scheduled my interview for a couple days after receiving the invite.

I interview with an Adcom via Skype.  It was a really good experience.  The Adcom was very kind and represented the school very well.  Overall the interview went well.  I felt like it was very conversational, and I felt like I was able to paint a fairly good picture of myself with the time I had and with the questions I was asked.

The day after my Tepper interview, I received another unexpected email... and invite from Anderson!  I gave myself a little more time than I did with Tepper to prep for my interview.  I was pretty happy that I didn't have to take time off work because Anderson had evening interview options (Good call Anderson, good call).

My Anderson interview went well too.  Not as well as my Tepper interview, but I was happy with it.  I interviewed with a Second-year student.  He was really down to earth and created a very conversational and relaxed interviewing environment.  I felt like I wasn't able to express myself as well, but I felt like it was more due to the questions I was asked, not because I was stumped by a question or anything.  I'll tell you what though, the Clear Admit Interview Reports definitely helped me prepare for both of my interviews.

Two down, two to go. It was a nice feeling to have only a couple weeks after submitting my applications.  If anyone has any specific questions regarding my interview experience at either of these schools, feel free to shoot me an email or post your questions in the comment section.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas A. Edison

Moving On to Round Two

It is difficult coming off of all the exhaustion that goes into prepping and putting together applications.  When I submitted my last round one app, I thought/hoped it would be the list time I would have to think about an MBA application essay, resume, etc.  But as fate would have it, it wasn't.

While I was waiting to hear back from my round one schools, as a contingency plan, I began working on essays and applications for a few other schools.  However, now knowing for sure my round one fate, I needed to kick it up a couple gears.  There were a few schools that I really liked, but decided not to apply to in the first round because I didn't want to spread myself too thin: Darden, Anderson, Tepper, and Fuqua.

Round two apps were much easier and faster than round one.  It was nice to have my strategy, goals, stories, etc. all honed from my previous applications.  I was able to get those four applications in with very little trouble.  I submitted all for apps between 1/4 and 1/7.  I was really hoping this time would be the last time I would have to submit a b-school app.  Now began the waiting, which I fully expected to be as long and painful as it was in round one…

Belated Round One Update

So it has been a few months since I have last blogged.  Instead of updating you all on everything all at once, I will take you back a couple months.  As of mid-December, I had already learned I was on the Sloan waitlist.  I had yet to be invited to interview at Yale or Haas, so I was not expecting positive news from those programs.  However, I felt my Kellogg and Tuck applications were strong and my interview at Kellogg went really well (I didn't interview at Tuck because they only interview reapplicants on-campus and I could not make it out there), and I was fully expecting an acceptance from at least one of these programs.

December 18th, D-day for Kellogg and Tuck.  By this point, I had already been dinged by Yale.  After having traveled out to Hanover last year to interview, and meeting the students and faculty members, Tuck was definitely my top choice.  There was so much I loved about the program, and I honestly had a hard time picturing myself going anywhere else.  I was hopeful, but as the minutes ticked away on the 18th with no phone call, a pit started to grow in my stomach.  Finally at 5pm EST, I got an email from Tuck saying there was an update to my application status.  Having not received a call, I knew the best case scenario was being waitlisted…

I’ll tell you what, reading those rejection letters never gets easy.  Not long after getting the official ding from Tuck, I received the same news from Kellogg.  It was a tough day.  Although I had started working on some round two applications, mentally I was not prepared to do it all again, for the third time.  Including my apps from last season, I was a depressing 0.5/7 (0.5 for the waitlist at Sloan), soon to be 0.5/8 after Haas’ released their decisions a few weeks later.  I took a few days to let everything sink in before I even thought about round two applications.  After receiving such positive feedback from admissions consultants on my chances at my target schools, no getting into a single one made me question a lot.  Man did December suck!

As hard as it was to accept not getting into my round one schools, especially after two years of trying, I realized it wasn't the end of the world.  The end goal isn't the school I get into, but the having transformative experience at b-school, and using that experience to help my succeed in my future career.  Although all the schools I applied to in round one would have helped me reach those goals, those weren't the only schools.  It was time to refocus and get back to the grind!

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan

Mid-Round One Update

So, it’s has been a little bit since I last provided an update.  Life has just been busy, and I haven’t had a ton of time to blog.  It was been over a month since I submitted my last application.  Unfortunately, things have been a little quieter than I would like.  I am not a fan of all this waiting.  As painful as studying for the GMAT, writing essays, filling out apps, reviewing my resume were, at least I felt like I was in control.  There were still things I could do to improve aspects of my applications.  It’s strange hitting that submit button and feeling like, “That’s it.  Nothing else I can do at this point.”

Anyway, here is a breakdown of where I am at with each school.


Haas:
This was my last application submitted.  Overall, I was very happy and felt like I did really well on the essays.  I felt like I was able to paint the best picture of myself through the Haas application vs. the other programs I applied to.  This is probably because of the number of essays, but I also liked the essay topics.  As many of you know, I am a reapplicant to Haas.  I really struggled with the “If you could pick one song to describe you” essay last year, but this year, it was my favorite essay.  As far as interview invites go, I am still playing the waiting game with this one.

Kellogg:
I interviewed with a Kellogg alumnus about three weeks ago.  The interview went really well and got me even more excited about Kellogg and the MMM program.  I am hopeful with this application, but it's tough predicting how things are going to turn out since Kellogg tries to interview as many applicants as possible.  Whatever happens, I really don't think my interview could have gone any better.

As far as the application goes, I was really happy about it.  I was pretty nervous about the video essay question, but it turned out to be much easier than the questions I received in my video portion of the Yale application.

Sloan:
The 8th of November was the final day Sloan sent out interview invites (according to the Sloan admissions blog).  Although I have seen a few since that deadline according to some of the member of the GMAT Club.  I was on edge all day, and when the invite didn't come, I was a bit depressed.  Definitely makes you doubt your whole application strategy...  Well last Friday I was informed that I was offered a spot on the waitlist!  It's not an interview invite or an acceptance, but it's not a ding.  Since I was fully excepting to be dinged, it was some much needed good news.  Now I just need to work on putting together a good update and some supplemental materials.

Tuck:
Tuck has been on my short list of schools I would love to attend since I started researching MBA programs.  Last year I went out to Hanover for a visit and an interview.  Unfortunately I was not admitted, but I was encouraged by the admissions committee to reapply.  Over the spring I met with an adcom to review my application and talk about areas I could improve.  During the past several months, I have focused on those areas and have done my best to make those weaknesses strengths.  Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to travel to Tuck this year to interview.  I recently discovered that Tuck generally does not re-interview reapplicants unless they go to Tuck for a applicant initiated interview.  My mind was put at easy knowing that I still have a chance to get in without an interview, but it definitely does stink not having any idea where I stand until D-day.  Crossing my fingers.

Yale SOM:

I haven't heard anything from SOM yet.  I still have some hope, but with D-day quickly approaching, it's tough to be too optimistic.  Still, I am crossing my fingers.  I felt pretty good about my overall application.

Well that is that... until next time.  Good luck to all the other round one applicants out there!  On that note, here is a pretty hilarious Foot Locker commercial... enjoy!

Halfway Point

So, my Sloan and Yale SOM applications are done.  I finally completed the video response portion of the Yale application two nights ago... that was fun.  I think I sat in front of the computer for about an hour practicing.  In the end, it wasn't too bad.  I was pretty nervous on the first question.  The second the clock started counting down and the camera started rolling, I felt my heart rate jump.  But by the third question I was feeling a bit more comfortable.  I just hope I didn't say anything too stupid :)

Well, I have just a couple more applications left for round one.  Just putting the final touches on my essays.  All my recommendations are in, so it feels nice to have that stress be gone.  A couple more weeks and it will be on to interview prep.  Hopefully be then I will be able to blog a bit more and be able to give an in-depth recap of my round one experience.  But as of right now, I feel a bit guilt if I don't spend every possible minute working on my applications.  I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.  But as Metallica would say, I just hope "the light at the end of [my] tunnel isn't just a freight train coming [my] way."

Good luck to everyone else out there finishing up their round one apps!

MIT Sloan Application Resources

I have spent a lot of time research, prepping, writing essays, and finishing my applications.  MIT Sloan with their round one deadline just around the corner is one I have been focusing on a lot lately.  I thought I would just share some of the resources that have helped me put together my applications.  I hope they help!

General Information:
mbaMission's MIT Sloan's Insider Guide (I was able to get this for free when they were doing their daily giveaways, but worth $25 if you need a lot of information and don't have time to arrange meetings with current students, alumni, etc.)
MBApodcaster: Getting into MIT Sloan
Clear Admit's Interview with MIT Sloan's Career Services Director

Application and Essays:
MIT Sloan Admissions Blog
Beat the GMAT's Writing like and Expert Series: MIT Sloan
Admissionado's MIT Sloan Essay Analysis (I personally think Admissionado's essay analyses are the best out there)
mbaMission's MIT Sloan Essay Analysis
Clear Admit's MIT Sloan Essay Analysis

I am sure there are other resources that have helped my along the way, but these were the one's I could think of.  If I remember any others, I will add them.  What resources have helped you with your applications?

MIA

I have knee deep in writing, revising, and re-writing essays the past month. I am getting ready to submit my first two applications next week, Sloan and Yale SOM. I am pretty close to being done, but it’s hard not to second guess myself. I want to put my best foot forward, just like anyone else, but many is it hard to do with just a couple essays. I am actually looking forward to the Yale video essays. I will post an update once I am done with that and let you all know how it goes.

 In other news, I submitted my personal defining principles for the Haas contest. Hopefully one of them resonates with one of the adcom, it would get great to win an essay review session with a member of the admissions committee.

Well, back to essays.

“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt