Columbia - 10-25-2022 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

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October 25, 2022 1:01pm ET

Applying: Columbia, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, UPenn / Wharton, UVA / Darden

Intake Year: 2023

Pre-MBA Career: Military

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey

GRE: 324

GPA: 3.14

Years of Work Experience: 9

Location: Savannah, GA

Post MBA Location: Southeast, Southwest

Notes:

31 year old white male. Applied to all schools in round 1. Completed interviews at Kellogg, Duke (open interview at their Vet Symposium), and UVA. Rejected at HBS and Wharton, waiting on interview invite from CBS. 9 years as an Army infantry officer, with the last 3 in a special operations unit. Lots of international experience, to include a deployment to Afghanistan. Undergraduate degree in Modern Languages and Cultures from a senior military college, graduated with the equivalent of cum laude. Short term goal is to land at an MBB firm, long term goal is entrepreneurship.

I wasn’t planning on doing any round 2 applications, but with early rejections from HBS and Wharton I’m starting to second guess that. I would probably target UNC and Emory if I strike out completely in round 1.

Any insight in round 2 strategy, or how much effort I should be putting into round 2 prep? I haven’t gotten feedback from HBS or Wharton, so I’m not sure where I should be adjusting.

Side note, I’ve been diligently listening to the podcast for the last year, and listened to episodes going back further than that! It’s been hugely helpful as I work through the application process and I’ve recommended to everyone I talk to that’s looking to apply for an MBA program. Thanks for what you do!

Like (1)

Show Comments (6) Last: October 31, 2022

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1584 Very glad that you enjoy the podcast, and thanks for your service. What is the quant score of your GRE? Do you have any quant work in your undergrad? I’m wondering whether it might make sense to do MBA Math or HBS CORe, and / or consider retaking the GRE, especially if you need to target round 2? (0)

bnd2128 Likes Earned: 20 My GRE breakdown was V-163, Q- 161. I did complete MBAmath and include it in all applications. Very little quant work my freshman year, which was my weak year of undergrad (I improved over time). I do have a masters degree (MPA with a 4.0 GPA), and I did highlight a couple of quant focused classes I completed with that degree in my optional essays. I’ve taken the GMAT once and GRE twice, so not enthusiastic about taking it again, but will if that’s what I need to do. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1584 So you’ve still got Fuqua, Kellogg and Darden in Round 1? Might be worth revisiting the GRE if you blank out there, so I’d start prepping, but it also sounds like you’ve done the right things with MBA Math, grad work, etc. What’s your status at the aforementioned programs? (0)

bnd2128 Likes Earned: 20 Yes, I applied to Kellogg,, Fuqua, and Darden all in round one, and applied to Columbia on 16 OCT (non-early decision). I completed interviews at Kellogg, Fuqua, and Darden, still waiting to hear back from CBS. My understanding is Kellogg interviews everyone, and I got a free interview from Fuqua for attending an event, so the only positive signaling I’ve gotten so far is a Darden interview invite. I forgot to mention before, I do have some ECs, both in school and currently, to include service as a church Youth group leader, 4U soccer coach, and secretary for a local home brewing club (beer, mead, wine). (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1584 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2022/10/wire-taps-259-military-candidate-dings-at-harvard-and-wharton-waitlisted-last-season-waiting-this-season-stanford-or-bust/ (1)

bnd2128 Likes Earned: 20 Already listened! Thanks for the insight! (1)