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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
 Posted - 08/18/2004 : 12:12:09
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Hi and thanks for your follow-up inquiry.
Hi David,
I've been seeing you say a number of times to students with relatively low GPA's that it can be mitigated by higher grades later on. What if it's the other way around? I have a relatively high GPA but it's weighted at the beginning. I started my first two years with a 4.0 but then got lazy and partied more and ended with a 3.7.
Also the GPA for my in-major classes is about a 3.2
Will this hurt my chances?
Yes, it is better to have an improving trend than a declining trend. Like everything else, it can be properly mitigated with well-prepared stories and other offsetting applicant strengths. Hence the wide range of GPAs, GMAT scores, years work experience, etc reported by all of the top schools each year.
Thanks
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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Joey
Underclassman
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2004 : 13:13:53
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| Thanks again for your reply. I am sure I will contact your agency in a couple years or so when I am ready to apply. |
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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2004 : 16:33:27
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Hi and thanks for your inquiry.
Hi David,
First of all, thanks very much for this thread! While this is my first post, I have already learned so much about the process just from reading other posts.
Glad to hear! 
My question is regarding the importance of GMAT scores. My academic result is a 3.9 upgrad GPA from a top computer science school and a 720 GMAT score. While I believe that I can cross the "academic hurdle" at any of the schools I plan to apply to, I am wondering if the GMAT score has ANY importance after I cross the hurdle. My questions are:
1. In the admissions process, does the adcom just check if I cross this hurdle, then throw the GMAT and GPA away?
Basically, yes. Stanford rejected 8 out of 8 applicants last year with perfect 800 GMAT scores. It is very, very unfortunate that 'urban legends' about the importance of high GMAT scores are being spread by people outside the test prep industry.
2. If there were another student with a 3.9 GPA from the same school and a 780 GMAT, would he/she be favored over me in any way?
If everything else was the same, that person would have a very slight edge. Chances are large, however, that one applicant has a better story, illustrations of leadership, fit with the school, interview performance, etc.
3. I *might* be able to get a 750 if I try again (then again, I may also end up with a 690). Would it help my application in any way for me to get a 750?
No. You risk coming across as arrogant and insecure if you retake the test.
I am just concerned that since this GMAT score is only around average for the schools I plan to apply to, it may end up working against me rather than for me. Thanks for your help!
Even though many schools will say they only look at the highest score, this is why it is important to do your best on the first attempt. With a good score, it doesn’t make sense to retake it. (If you had scored 640 on the first attempt, then you would have nothing to lose by retaking the exam.)
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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Richard Chamberlain
Underclassman
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2004 : 18:04:50
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David,
thanks for the great advice it's already been a huge help.
I am 28, American, 3.5 GPA as an undergrad with a degree in humanities, 710 GMAT (49Q & 38V), played Division I soccer in college, still active in soccer, part of a high school age church group, fraternity in college, left-leaning, part of the peaceful anti-Iraq war movement, and will emphasize social responsibility in my essays.
My job progression after college went from being a waiter, to working in a jail (not as an inmate!), to a small real estate research firm, to a commercial mortgage bank where I've worked for the last 2.5 years and have had a promotion and beefed up on my quant skills in the underwriting department. I want an MBA to bolster my finance skills and transition to owning and operating real estate. I haven't had a lot of leadership experience at work because of my movement to more challenging jobs and I've been in sales for the last 1.5 years.
Here's my question, I want to spin the "road less traveled" route, is that a good idea? what about more liberal politics? will I be thrown in the competition pool with the other financial analysts?
My top three choices are Haas, Stern, and Darden? Am I kidding myself? |
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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2004 : 21:22:43
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Hi and thanks for your inquiry.
David,
thanks for the great advice it's already been a huge help.
Thanks!
I am 28, American, 3.5 GPA as an undergrad with a degree in humanities, 710 GMAT (49Q & 38V), played Division I soccer in college, still active in soccer, part of a high school age church group, fraternity in college, left-leaning, part of the peaceful anti-Iraq war movement, and will emphasize social responsibility in my essays.
The academic qualifications look fine. Your extracurriculars appear OK too.
My job progression after college went from being a waiter, to working in a jail (not as an inmate!), to a small real estate research firm, to a commercial mortgage bank where I've worked for the last 2.5 years and have had a promotion and beefed up on my quant skills in the underwriting department. I want an MBA to bolster my finance skills and transition to owning and operating real estate. I haven't had a lot of leadership experience at work because of my movement to more challenging jobs and I've been in sales for the last 1.5 years.
I’m not overly concerned about a lack of leadership experience as many highly-qualified MBA applicants have not had many professional opportunities to demonstrate this skill. (Think Wall Street analysts.) Your key will be to show significant career progression and professional development since leaving either the jail or the waiter job. (It depends on what you were doing at the jail.)
Here's my question, I want to spin the "road less traveled" route, is that a good idea? what about more liberal politics? will I be thrown in the competition pool with the other financial analysts?
My top three choices are Haas, Stern, and Darden? Am I kidding myself?
Business school is competitive for all applicants. It doesn’t matter if you are a financial analyst, engineer, or poet.
The “road less traveled” is probably the best way to go given the small amount of data shared here. Politics can be a touchy issue, so don’t proselytize your beliefs.
Your future career goals will be very closely scrutinized. With a decent career progression in at least the last 2 jobs and well-prepared applications, I could see you gaining admission to these three schools.
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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cabaa99
Underclassman
1 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2004 : 02:16:57
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Hi David.
I'm interested in an EMBA program (I'm right now focused in Fuqua, deadline Sept. 15th), and wonder if you could entertain a question or two about it.
I'm originally from Peru, but I've been working in the US for >4y. I recently scored 680 in the GMAT (41V/42M). My college background is Software Engineering, and my academic record is pretty good (1st place ...guess I should have scored better in the Math part of the GMAT, but as you can tell, I'm running short in time !  ).
I've worked as supply chain Sr. business consulting in a Top-5 for a while, but most of my 10 year experience is in the automatic data capture field, here in the US and in my native country, developing mobile applications, managing software projects and teams, advising sales teams and recommending/advising solutions to customers. My responsibility level has been increasing and my company is now willing to sponsor me for the EMBA program, as part of my career path towards management and business development in my field.
My first question is: How good does this -condensed- picture look for an admission committee? ... Would you say my 6-years experience in South America is one of my best assets? (Certainly business is conducted in a different way down there).
The second has to do with the recommendation letters. I'm now going thru the application process and I'm working in the essays and the letters. Who are the best persons for the recommendations? I've heard that a good strategy is to get one from my supervisor (actually mandatory), another one from a friend or co-worker, who knows me and can talk about me at the "same level", and another from a family member, to help round up the picture and show more of the "human/family" side. Other people think a college teacher would be nice addition. What do you think? I'm also kind of concern on how this should sync in with the essays...
Finally, I'd like to know what services do you offer that could fit into the tight schedule I'm facing.
Thank you for your time
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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2004 : 08:56:39
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Hi and thanks for your inquiry.
Hi David.
I'm interested in an EMBA program (I'm right now focused in Fuqua, deadline Sept. 15th), and wonder if you could entertain a question or two about it.
Go right ahead!
I'm originally from Peru, but I've been working in the US for >4y. I recently scored 680 in the GMAT (41V/42M). My college background is Software Engineering, and my academic record is pretty good (1st place ...guess I should have scored better in the Math part of the GMAT, but as you can tell, I'm running short in time ! ).
I've worked as supply chain Sr. business consulting in a Top-5 for a while, but most of my 10 year experience is in the automatic data capture field, here in the US and in my native country, developing mobile applications, managing software projects and teams, advising sales teams and recommending/advising solutions to customers. My responsibility level has been increasing and my company is now willing to sponsor me for the EMBA program, as part of my career path towards management and business development in my field.
My first question is: How good does this -condensed- picture look for an admission committee? ... Would you say my 6-years experience in South America is one of my best assets? (Certainly business is conducted in a different way down there).
There will be a good number of other applicants with international experience, so I wouldn’t bank on just saying “South American work experience” and waltzing into the program. However, with a well-prepared application, you should be very competitive at Fuqua and, yes, I am familiar with the school’s very high EMBA rankings.
The second has to do with the recommendation letters. I'm now going thru the application process and I'm working in the essays and the letters. Who are the best persons for the recommendations? I've heard that a good strategy is to get one from my supervisor (actually mandatory), another one from a friend or co-worker, who knows me and can talk about me at the "same level", and another from a family member, to help round up the picture and show more of the "human/family" side. Other people think a college teacher would be nice addition. What do you think? I'm also kind of concern on how this should sync in with the essays...
You need recommenders who will do more than simply say favorable things about you. (Nearly every other applicant will have that base covered as well.) They need to substantiate your themes, highlight your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. If you intend to maximize your chances, then they should very closely sync up with your essays.
Finally, I'd like to know what services do you offer that could fit into the tight schedule I'm facing.
We have a maximum 72 hour turnaround time including weekends and holidays and we normally get back to clients in much less time. This allows us to perform several essay edits before the deadline and hence why I am extremely confident we can help you submit a very strong application by Sept 15 if we got started right away. Additionally, we do have a consultant with EMBA admissions committee experience.
Contact me directly to get started!
Thank you for your time
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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Joey
Underclassman
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2004 : 16:21:25
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David,
Do you forsee that it will be easier to get into MBA programs in the coming years as the job market picks up again? Or do you see it staying relatively the same or possibly even becoming more competitive? |
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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2004 : 18:10:59
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Hi Joey and thanks for your follow-up inquiry.
David,
Do you forsee that it will be easier to get into MBA programs in the coming years as the job market picks up again? Or do you see it staying relatively the same or possibly even becoming more competitive?
Most admissions directors to whom we have spoken this summer predict applications will pick up.
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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dman
Underclassman
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2004 : 14:35:07
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Thank you for taking all this time to answer questions
I am looking to get into a top 25 business school to switch careers into the financial world, hopefully a financial instution.
I graduated from Boston College with a communications degree and a 3.3 GPA. I also was the sports director for the student radio station and broadcasted all BC mens sporting events.
After graduation I was hired as the 9th employee of a computer software startup. I worked for a little over 2 years in sales and was promoted to a traveling applications engineer. After my stint I worked as for a small solutions based consulting company acting as a sales consultant to clients. I was able to parlay that into working as an account manager at a fortune 100 Computer Software Company working with fortune 100 clients.
I have a total of 6 years work experience but am extemely concerned that my degree from college and work experience in sales are ultimately going to handicap me significantly against the NY Investment Bankers of the world.
I believe I have a great story to tell and desperately want the opportunity to compete against the best minds in the world.
I know everyone has to do well on the GMATS but with the work experience I just highlighted and a 630 GMAT not going to be enough to overcome?
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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2004 : 16:29:38
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Hi and thanks for your inquiry.
Thank you for taking all this time to answer questions
You’re welcome!
I am looking to get into a top 25 business school to switch careers into the financial world, hopefully a financial instution.
I graduated from Boston College with a communications degree and a 3.3 GPA. I also was the sports director for the student radio station and broadcasted all BC mens sporting events.
After graduation I was hired as the 9th employee of a computer software startup. I worked for a little over 2 years in sales and was promoted to a traveling applications engineer. After my stint I worked as for a small solutions based consulting company acting as a sales consultant to clients. I was able to parlay that into working as an account manager at a fortune 100 Computer Software Company working with fortune 100 clients.
I have a total of 6 years work experience but am extemely concerned that my degree from college and work experience in sales are ultimately going to handicap me significantly against the NY Investment Bankers of the world.
The b-schools are looking for diversity in their incoming classes. There are many successful applicants with sales backgrounds each year.
I believe I have a great story to tell and desperately want the opportunity to compete against the best minds in the world.
I know everyone has to do well on the GMATS but with the work experience I just highlighted and a 630 GMAT not going to be enough to overcome?
You are going to have an uphill battle at a top school with those academic qualifications and lack of technical work experience. If you are confident you can improve your GMAT score by at least 30 points, I’d advise you to do so.
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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JeffD2M
Underclassman
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 10:29:08
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First, thanks for participating in such an informative forum!
Like most people here I'm a bit concerned about my chances to get into a top business school. I have a bit strange academic background however and I think it could be spun to be presented in a good light, but I'm really looking for an objective opinion.
I entered HS and immediately started taking AP courses as a freshman, by the end of my sophomore year I had taken nearly all the AP courses offered in the district so I dropped out of high school at 16, got my GED and immediately enrolled in college. I attended an accredited small private school and graduated in 4 years. My GPA was rather lackluster at a 2.9, but I was the only person in my particular concenteration to even graduate. I was immediatly hired at a small, but very highly regarded aerospace company and have had extremely good career progression but no formal promotions. I now have 4.5 years of career experience and have been practice testing the GMAT in the 750 range. I have very well written reccomendation letters from everyone I've worked with on a consistant basis, and have selected those that are the most detailed and from the executive management.
Given this background, in your opinion, do I have a reasonable opportunity to be accepted at a top 15 institution? More specifically should I bother even applying to top 5?
I appreciate your time, thank you!
Jeffrey |
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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 10:58:44
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Hi Jeffrey and thanks for your inquiry.
First, thanks for participating in such an informative forum!
Thanks!
Like most people here I'm a bit concerned about my chances to get into a top business school. I have a bit strange academic background however and I think it could be spun to be presented in a good light, but I'm really looking for an objective opinion.
I entered HS and immediately started taking AP courses as a freshman, by the end of my sophomore year I had taken nearly all the AP courses offered in the district so I dropped out of high school at 16, got my GED and immediately enrolled in college. I attended an accredited small private school and graduated in 4 years. My GPA was rather lackluster at a 2.9, but I was the only person in my particular concenteration to even graduate. I was immediatly hired at a small, but very highly regarded aerospace company and have had extremely good career progression but no formal promotions. I now have 4.5 years of career experience and have been practice testing the GMAT in the 750 range. I have very well written reccomendation letters from everyone I've worked with on a consistant basis, and have selected those that are the most detailed and from the executive management.
If your college concentration was that difficult and demanding (you were hired by an aerospace company, so it certainly seems feasible), then your GPA can be mitigated, particularly with a 750 range GMAT.
I am not concerned about the size of the employer and the admissions committees will not be either. In fact, we get many applicants from smaller companies into top b-schools every year, so don’t fret any lack of ‘blue chip’ experience.
The career progression is more important than formal titles. The key here is to credibly signal the progression and we can certainly help with that regard.
Finally, recommendations should come from those who know you best and can support your story, substantiate your strengths, and mitigate your weaknesses. It is nearly irrelevant if these recommenders are in executive management. (Granted, in a small firm, it is possible you know the senior management team very well.)
Given this background, in your opinion, do I have a reasonable opportunity to be accepted at a top 15 institution? More specifically should I bother even applying to top 5?
I appreciate your time, thank you!
With good extracurriculars, you will be competitive. With a bit of ‘wow’ factor – and we have had some success finding such ‘wow’ in aerospace applicants over the years -- you will be competitive at a top 5.
Jeffrey
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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JeffD2M
Underclassman
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 11:28:46
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quote:
Originally posted by AdmissionsConsultants
[blue]Hi Jeffrey and thanks for your inquiry.
If your college concentration was that difficult and demanding (you were hired by an aerospace company, so it certainly seems feasible), then your GPA can be mitigated, particularly with a 750 range GMAT.
I am not concerned about the size of the employer and the admissions committees will not be either. In fact, we get many applicants from smaller companies into top b-schools every year, so don’t fret any lack of ‘blue chip’ experience.
The career progression is more important than formal titles. The key here is to credibly signal the progression and we can certainly help with that regard.
Finally, recommendations should come from those who know you best and can support your story, substantiate your strengths, and mitigate your weaknesses. It is nearly irrelevant if these recommenders are in executive management. (Granted, in a small firm, it is possible you know the senior management team very well.)
With good extracurriculars, you will be competitive. With a bit of ‘wow’ factor – and we have had some success finding such ‘wow’ in aerospace applicants over the years -- you will be competitive at a top 5.
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Thank you for the quick response!
Fortunately, after my first or second year of working, I've had to work with the executive management team on a daily basis (mostly ad hoc analysis and designing the company's pricing models), so they present the best and most knowledgable story of my abilities.
In regards to the ethereal "wow" factor, is that just a relevent, significant experience that sets you apart from other applicants? You note that your organization has had some success in finding this in aerospace applicants, by "some" do you mean limited? Is this something that can be done with the initial retainer?
Once again, thank you for your input. |
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AdmissionsConsultants
Admissions Expert
USA
2122 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 14:33:44
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Hi and thanks for your follow-up inquiry.
Thank you for the quick response!
Fortunately, after my first or second year of working, I've had to work with the executive management team on a daily basis (mostly ad hoc analysis and designing the company's pricing models), so they present the best and most knowledgable story of my abilities.
Not a problem then.
In regards to the ethereal "wow" factor, is that just a relevent, significant experience that sets you apart from other applicants? You note that your organization has had some success in finding this in aerospace applicants, by "some" do you mean limited? Is this something that can be done with the initial retainer?
Wharton’s admissions committee uses ‘wow’ to mean, literally, “walk on water”. Normally, it is a relevant and significant experience, but sometimes it is a background, keen introspection, or some other such factor.
This is definitely something we seek out during the initial one-hour consultation.
Once again, thank you for your input.
Sincerely,
David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885 |
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