Waitlisted by Duke, Interview at Kellogg

I finally managed to apply to the following schools in Round 1. So far, I've been interviewed by Fuqua and I've been waitlisted there. I have an interview coming up for Kellogg at Chennai, which I've decided to schedule for next week.

S. No        Schools           Deadline         Notification       

1.       Duke-EA          19-Sep, Wed      30-Oct, Tue   
2.       Ross                 10-Oct, Wed      20-Dec, Thu        
3.       Tuck-EA           10-Oct, Wed      14-Dec, Fri         
4.       Kellogg             16-Oct, Tue        17-Dec, Mon    
5.       Cornell              17-Oct, Wed      19-Dec, Wed      
6.       CMU                22-Oct, Mon      19-Dec, Wed  

Duke EA and Kellogg 1

Submitted Duke EA application and Part 1 of the Kellogg Application today.

GMAT done with a 710!

I scored a 710 on the GMAT yesterday. I just managed to score 80th percentile in Quant and scored decently on verbal. With the R1 deadlines just around the corner, I'm just in time to take the plunge on the essays. I'm debating on whether I should go in for a re-take. I think I'm just going to prepare on the side and if my practice tests show a 730+ score, I will re-take. Otherwise, I think its best to leave it as it is.

UCLA Anderson Essay Topics

Essays are the primary way for you to share your perspectives and plans. The best essays are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and responding to our topics.

• Essay questions are listed below for both first-time applicants and re-applicants.
• You should try to distinguish yourself by showing what makes you different from others who share similar profiles.
• Personal expression is what we are looking for, not platitudes.
• Making a strong case for your future plans requires you to first do research on career paths and find one that resonates. Even if this target will change during business school, your application essays should lay out a clear trajectory for short-term and long-term goals. Do this by demonstrating how you expect to build on skills from your past, and those you expect to gain from the MBA.
• Essays are more compelling if they include specific courses, programs, groups, opportunities, activities, etc. from which you would benefit, if admitted to UCLA Anderson. These references are best found through website research, personal discussions and a campus visit (if possible).
• Content and clarity are key elements, as we seek superior communication skills.
• Style is a consideration too, although we understand that those who speak other languages may have different manners of expression in English.
• We do check your essays for plagiarism, so make sure you always submit your own work.
• Length does not equal strength. A well-written short essay can have even more impact than a longer essay. Please try to respect the word limits indicated below.
• All responses to essays must be on double-spaced pages that are uploaded as a document. We do not accept essays in any other media but written form.

FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS - TWO REQUIRED ESSAYS:

• What is your proudest achievement outside the workplace, and how has it impacted you? (700 words maximum)
• What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from UCLA Anderson specifically help you achieve these goals? (700 words maximum)

OPTIONAL ESSAY:

The following essay is optional. No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay. Please note that we only accept written essays.

• Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

RE-APPLICANTS - ONE REQUIRED ESSAY:

Reapplicants who applied for the class entering in fall 2011 or 2012 are required to complete the following essay:

• Please describe your career progress since you last applied and ways in which you have enhanced your candidacy. Include updates on short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (700 words maximum)

Emory Essay Topics

Answer all essays (numbers 1 through 4), following the directions indicated in the questions.

1. Complete each of the following questions. Please limit your response to 150 words each.
   
   • Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at this time?
   • What are your short term post MBA goals?
   • What are your long term professional aspirations?
2. Share one of your most significant professional accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this activity and how it has helped to shape your management skills. Please limit your response to 500 words.
   
3. The Business School is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. It is his legacy and the strength of his character that gives rise to our vision: Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. We encourage you to watch this short video for inspiration in answering the question. The transcript of the video can be found here.
   Mr. Goizueta was an inspirational leader. Describe your leadership style and give an example of how you will use that style to make an impact on Goizueta Business School as a student or alumnus. Please limit your response to 300 words.
   
4. Complete one of the following statements. Please limit your response to 300 words.
   
   • I am unique because...
   • My most memorable cross-cultural experience...
   • I am passionate about...
   • The best piece of advice I've ever received is...

Optional Essay: If you have additional information or feel there are extenuating circumstances which you would like to share with the MBA Admissions Committee (i.e. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance issues or areas of weakness in application). Please limit your response to 250 words.

Re-Applicant Essays

Applicants who have applied to Goizueta Business School in the past are required to answer two questions:

1. Complete each of the following questions. Please limit your response to 150 words each.
   
   • Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at this time?
   • What are your short-term post-MBA goals?
   • What are your long-term professional aspirations?
2. Explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School’s MBA Program since your last application. Please limit your response to 250 words.
   

You may also submit the optional essay if you wish.

Emory Deadlines

The 2012-2013 Goizueta Emory deadlines have been announced! This year’s deadlines are below:

Round 1
Deadline: October 5, 2012
Notification: November 28, 2012
Deposit: December 14, 2012


Round 2
Deadline: November 30, 2012
Notification: January 25, 2013
Deposit: Feb 15, 2013


Round 3
Deadline: January 18, 2013
Notification: March 15, 2013
Deposit: April 8, 2013

Round 4
Deadline: March 8, 2013
Notification: April 24, 2013
Deposit: May 8, 2013

Kenan Flagler Essay Topics

UNC / Kenan-Flagler has posted their essay topics for the 2012-2013 admissions season!  The essay questions are as follows:

Essay One (Required): What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? What are the other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)

Essay Two (Required): Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)

Essay Three (Required): What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)

Essay Four (Optional): If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)

Essay Five (Optional): Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)

Duke Essay Topics

The essay topics for the 2012-2013 admissions season at Fuqua have been released! 

Required Short Answer Questions: Answer all 3 questions. Respond in 250 characters only (the equivalent of about 50 words).
1.  What are your short-term goals, post-MBA?
2.  What are your long-term goals?

3.  Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the short-term goals that you provided above not materialize what alternative directions have you considered?

Required Essays: Answer both essay questions.

1.  The “Team Fuqua” spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions Team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of “25 Random Things About Yourself.” As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire’s professional and academic background, so learning these “25 Random Things” helps us get to know someone’s personality, background, special talents, and more. In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you – beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of “25 Random Things” about YOU.

Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.

2.  When asked by your family, friends, and colleagues why you want to go to Duke, what do you tell them? Share the reasons that are most meaningful to you.

Your response to this essay question should be no more than 2 pages in length. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing.

Optional Essay

If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them in an optional essay (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, or any significant weakness in your application).

• Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area of the application.
• The Optional Essay is intended to provide the Admissions Committee with insight into your extenuating circumstances only.
• Limit your response to two pages.

Duke Deadlines

Fuqua’s 2012-2013 application deadlines have been announced!  They are as follows:

Early Action
Deadline: September 19, 2012
Interview invitations sent by: October 9, 2012
Notification: October 30, 2012

Round 1
Deadline: October 24, 2012
Interview invitations sent by: November 28, 2012
Notification: January 8, 2013

Round 2
Deadline: January 4, 2012
Interview invitations sent by: February 7, 2013
Notification: March 18, 2013

Round 3
Deadline: March 21, 2013
Interview invitations sent by: April 10, 2013
Notification: May 10, 2013
For more information, visit Fuqua’s admissions website.

Kellogg Essay Topics

The 2012-2013 Northwestern/Kellogg essay topics have been announced!. This year’s essays are below:

1. Discuss moments or influences in your personal life that have defined who you are today. (500 word limit)
2. What have been your most significant leadership experiences? What challenges did you face, and what impact did you have? This is your opportunity to explain how you Think Bravely (personally and/or professionally). (500 word limit)
3. Imagine yourself at your Kellogg graduation. What career will you be preparing to enter, and how have the MBA and Kellogg helped you get there? (Please answer in terms of your program choice: One-Year, Two-Year, MMM, JD-MBA) (500 word limit)
4. What one interesting or fun fact would you want your future Kellogg classmates to know about you? (25 words or less)

 Re-Applicants Only
Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (400 word limit). Please note: re-applicants are required to answer this question in addition to #1-4.

Additional Information (Optional)
If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (No word limit)

For more information, visit Kellogg’s admissions website.

CMU Tepper Deadlines

The 2012-2013 CMU/Tepper deadlines have been announced! This year’s deadlines are below:

Round 1
Deadline: October 22, 2012
Notification: December 19, 2012

Round 2
Deadline: January 3, 2013
Notification: March 18, 2013

Round 3
Deadline: March 4, 2013
Notification: April 30, 2013

Round 4
Deadline: April 22, 2013
Notification: May 24, 2013

Round 5
Deadline: June 3, 2012
Notification: Rolling

International applicants should note that they must apply by the Round 3 deadline. For more information, visit Tepper’s admissions website.