All Schools - - 03-18-2025 | Clear Admit LiveWire

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March 18, 2025 2:50am ET

Question about All Schools

Hello all,

I want to get your thoughts. I am a 30/white/male applicant from Caucasus.
2.87 GPA (71.65/100), 750 Gmat Classic. 7+ years of Product management experience (Fintech/Banking, AI, and Govtech domains). Several extracurriculars, Volunteer experiences, and lots of activities.

I have applied through the last 2 cycles; m7 and t15 schools. I got an interview from Booth and Stern last year and both went well, but I got rejected, and I got an interview from Ross this cycle and got rejected after waitlist.

So questions:
1. Should I apply through 3rd round and consider t20 schools?
or
2. Should I stay till round 1 next cycle and apply again?

Which does it make sense more? Wil being 31 before matriculation for US schools weak point of my application? Post-MBA goal is also PM-related positions in Big Tech companies. Should I reconsider my goal? Is the current situation in the US tech job market an issue for me as an international?

Thanks in advance

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Show Comments (2) Last: March 18, 2025

grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1457 Thanks for sharing your profile. I'd recommend you post this on ApplyWire if possible, to get a more structured review.

On the surface, there are both strengths and weaknesses in your candidacy (superb GMAT/lower GPA, extensive experience/a bit older, coming from an underrepresented region of the world/presenting potentially challenging career goals, and so on).

Of course, given the interview invites (and waitlist) at top programs like Booth, Stern and Ross, it seems clear that you have many of the ingredients for success with top-25 admission. The issue likely is in the details, which are much harder to assess without knowing more about your candidacy and application materials.

For instance, context is needed around the caliber of your undergraduate, your class rank, and what you studied. Context is also needed around the feasibility of your career goals and how your past experiences to date set you up for success. Finally, it's hard to know how effective your 'why school X' arguments were, but hopefully you did your due diligence and made a compelling case.

As to your main question, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to apply late rounds to a few top-20 programs with strengths in tech placements, since the data thus far suggests you may be falling just shy of top-16. Have you looked at the likes of Tepper, McCombs, Georgia Tech, or Foster? While you could wait and try your hand in R1 next cycle with a mix of top-16 and top-25 offerings, I don't see the harm in trying to make it happen now. As you point out, you aren't getting any younger.

Best of luck!

(0)

anon25553 Likes Earned: 24 I´m 32 and just got accepted at a t10 school with a lower GPA and GMAT (675 FE). I worked with a consultant to strategize the essays and goals. Without a consultant, I never would have made it. Also, I took the MBA Math course to offset the GPA further. But ultimately, I think my essay strategy helped the most. I would say: Apply R1 to some T15 with a revised essay and goals strategy. (1)

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