Admissions Tip: Post-Rejection Reflections
While we always hope reports of success will dominate MBA LiveWire, the reality is there are only so many seats in a class, and that leading MBA programs reject many more applicants than they admit.
This Admissions Tip is here to help you move forward in the MBA admissions process if you did not receive good news in Round 1.
Reconfiguring Following Rejection
If there is any good news when it comes to being rejected in the first round, it’s that it’s still early in the application season, and not too late to re-adjust your strategy and target appropriate programs for Round 2. Round 2 application deadlines generally fall in the first couple of weeks of January, which leaves a bit more time to prepare a new set of applications. It is also often the case, that your first applications are not the strongest. You learn through this process, and could potentially submit stronger applications for Round 2. Or it might be the case that you need to re-evaluate your goals, and then target a new set of programs that are appropriate for those goals. You could also adjust the competitiveness of the programs you target. So if you struck at all of your R1 targets, you may need to shift your target to slightly lower ranked programs.
Rejection Reflection
You also might want to take a hard look at what the schools which chose not to interview you, might have found lacking. If you failed to make a compelling case for the degree or to properly showcase your experience in your essays, it might be a good time to get a fresh perspective from a third party on your materials. If your recommendations may have been lacking, speak with your writers or seek out new colleagues who might be able to better support your candidacy.
Of course, if there isn’t something as tangible as a poor test score, shoddy essays, or subpar letters of recommendation, you may need to take a longer view. For instance, if you lack professional experience, leadership accomplishments, or outside activities, it might make sense to delay your MBA ambitions, and reapply in a following year. Reapplicants are generally looked upon favorably in the admissions process.
MBA Motivations
Finally, you might want to reassess whether the MBA is the right, next step for you. Perhaps the admissions committees are doing you a favor, and nudging you in a different direction.
Chin Up!
There’s no doubt that receiving negative results can be painful, but it’s how you handle the situation that will determine your future. Don’t lose site of the fact that news of rejection(s) is actually useful feedback in a process that can be quite opaque. Take the feedback to heart, regroup, reassess, and devise a plan to help you reach your goals.
MBA Applywire
Hi! I'm applying to the above schools & I'm hoping to be admitted somewhere with significant scholarship. I currently have 2Y 9 months YOE and was promoted twice at a BB bank (from analyst > associate > AVP) during that time period (also part of an LDP).
Had to step away in March for family caregiving duties, and I'm currently looking for another role, so I will enter the MBA at about 3.5-4 YOE.
I'm a female LGBTQ+ applicant, from SEA, though of Indian origins.
TIA!
Background
Canadian citizen
Indian Origin male, moved to Canada on my own after high school.
29 years old, first gen
College Diploma in Electrical Engineering (3.6 gpa)
BSc in Computer Science from Toronto Metropolitan University (3.72 gpa)
GMAT Focus: 695 (Q90, V84, DI79)
Work Experience
I've spent my entire career at FAANG company - Industrial Automation/Robotics, where I've been for over 6 years. I completed my undergrad while working full time, my company sponsored me for my undergrad and meanwhile also got three promotions.
Career progression:
1. Application Engineer (2 years) Started my career providing technical support and engineering solutions for customers. Worked directly with end users, and sales teams to help design and implement automation solutions, troubleshoot issues, and support projects from concept through deployment.
2. Business Development Manager (2+ years)
Moved into a commercial role focused on growing adoption of emerging technologies. Worked with customers across Canada to identify business opportunities, build relationships, develop go-to-market strategies, and help customers understand the business value of new solutions.
3. Customer Success Enablement (Current Role)
Currently in a national role responsible for driving adoption and success of strategic technologies across Canada. I work with customers, partners, sales teams, and executives to develop enablement programs, support major opportunities, and influence strategy around technology adoption and digital transformation.
Leadership & Community Involvement
Co-chair of my company's 2SLGBTQIA+ employee resource group in Canada. Formed this committee. Host quarterly events to spread awareness and promote inclusion.
Active member of the sustainability committee. Volunteer activities include tree planting, park cleanups, habitat-building projects, and STEM outreach.
Why MBA?
Short-term goal: transition into management consulting, ideally focusing on technology, industrials, digital transformation, especially around embedding Physical AI in manufacturing / robotics.
Long-term goal: become a senior business leader helping organizations navigate large-scale technology and business transformation.
Schools
Targeting:
Harvard Business School
Stanford GSB
Wharton
MIT Sloan
Kellogg
Questions
What would you estimate my chances are at each school?
Should Ieven bother to apply at each of HSW? I was told by someone that although I am Canadian, but because of Indian origins, my chances at HSW are slim since Indians are most overrepresented.
What do you see as the biggest strengths and weaknesses in my profile?
How can i stand out? I am still not sure about my goals, i am okay with both tech or consulting or general management but in tech company.
Which schools do you think fit my background the best? including schools other than m7
1. Diversity: I am an Indian Male.
2. Acads: I have a BTech-Mtech dual degree from an IIT (got admit here with like 99.9 percentile in 1M+ students).
BTech GPA is 7.3/10, which is improved to 9/10 in MTech. I am using optional essays to explain the lower acads in BTech. My MTech GPA and then GMAT Focus 745(Q90, V88) shows an upward trajectory, which should be helpful.
3. Work: I have 5 years of software development experience in a big european tech company.
4. Leadership: I don't have a formal title for leadership in work. But a lot of leadership without authority and my letters of recommendations from current and previous supervisors can vouch for that.
5. Why MBA: Trying to build something on my own exposed gaps which MBA would help me fix. I have a strong thread going on with my childhood, college, extra curricular and with what I tried to built. Post-MBA goal of Product Management role in tech would build on top of my skills I gain at MBA to help me move in the direction of tech leadership which is my long term goal.
6. Inclination: Schools which have good tech recruitment for PM role, help build leadership skills for my long term goals, have good alumni network in tech and PM roles, and lastly a collaborative community that I would prefer. I would prefer to get scholarships because of tight finances.
7. Definitely applying in R1: Kellogg, Haas, Ross, Tuck, Fuqua, MIT Sloan
8. Not sure about: Harvard (Not sure about fit), Stanford (low selection chances + 0 scholarships hopes), London Business School (keeping because of visa situation), Cornell (Tech is good but will it help for my long term goal), McCombs (Not T15 ), UCLA (Not T15)
Please help me choose right schools and strategy for fit + scholarships based on my inclinations mentioned in point 6 above.
I want to apply for a Part Time MBA because work is giving Tuition Assistance next year. Already have a decent salary with a consulting position.
Since I'm not leaving the Philadelphia area, I'm generally only considering part time programs in the area.
How does my profile look for Full time and Part Time however?
CPA, masters degree (3.5 gpa), 1.5 years of local non profit board experience, 615 gmat focus. Promoted to senior associate after 2 years at big 4.