Guest post! Self-introspection and – finally! – an admit!!

When we heard that this BSer’s Early Decision app was accepted recently, we were ECSTATIC. This was one committed, never-give-up, keep swinging till they connect Brave Supplicant — and now they’re headed to bschool! Here’s what they had to say about the process – and we swear, we totally did not ask them to write an endorsement of the ‘Snark! Please read around that part – there’s a lot of good advice here.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, BSER SOON-TO-BE-BSCHOOL-STUDENT!!!

Figure this would be appropriate for the day after Thanksgiving!

Here’s the scoop:

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Believe in yourself

My profile is as bland and common as you can find from an over over subscribed pool of Indian applicants. Non-IIT engineering degree,Average GMAT… as you can see you will find billion other people with similar profile. But everyone has his/her own strengths. I think this MBA application process is all about introspection of what you are, what your strengths and weaknesses are and how to go about mitigating the weaknesses.
My long, arduous journey began in 2011. I decided that as a supply chain consultant I pretty much hit a ceiling. On talking with my friends and mentors, I decided that an MBA is the best way to leverage my current background and transition to strategy consulting.Took the GMAT and got a decent score. I picked 3-4 schools and applied in Round 1 2011. I used to follow EssaySnark’s blog during the process, but I never seriously considered engaging their services. I just thought they are just one another admission consultant. I took comprehensive service shelling out big bucks with two other admission consultants. I don’t want to turn this into a rant, but one of the consultants was mediocre. I thought the other admission consultant was excellent until ES did a free review of my complete – about to submit — essays. ES ripped apart my essays – not just for sake for finding mistakes, but all the issues that she raised in my essays are real valid flaws. I should have caught some of those or at least my admission consultant should have corrected those. I got waitlisted at one school and rejected at the other two.

I decided to reapply this admission cycle, and I started preparing early. I think every re-applicant should do this. I took couple of months break and started addressing gaps in my profile from March/April. I took Comprehensive Profile Review from EssaySnark. I really encourage everyone to get your profile reviewed. For just $100 [price is currently $ 199.00 -EssaySnark]   you get a 10 page personal report of your strengths, weaknesses and your chances at target schools. Let me repeat… anyone who is serious, should get this. Don’t fall in for “free” reviews. There’s no free lunch. Those “free” sessions are a bait to enroll you into a $3500 package. Trust me – been there done that.
I’m really happy that I got into a school that is ideal for my career goals. There are definitely times when I was skeptical if I’d get an admit at school of my choice and if all the time and investment is going to be wasted. If you’re serious, committed and realistic, you’ll get into one of your choice schools. Worst case, this whole MBA experience is going to make you a better person. When was the last time you wrote a page essay about yourself? When was the last time you spent couple of hours self-introspecting your strengths and weaknesses? Whether you end up doing an MBA or not, this whole experience is going to change your perspective.
Summing it up,

• Essays are everything. IMHO, they are more important than GMAT, GPA. Get an expert advice and make sure you don’t f*ck those up.
• Start working on essays early, very early – like June/July. [If only everyone would!! -EssaySnark]
• Just don’t enroll an admission consultant by reading posts in forums. (I did this mistake). If possible pay by hour for the first two hours and then pay the big bucks. Having worked with three other consultants, I highly recommend EssaySnark. You can get done with all schools using ES for the price that others charge for one school.
• Finally, believe in yourself. Trust your abilities. Yes, getting into a top business school is difficult but not impossible.

All the best to all the prospective brave supplicants!!

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Yes, all the best to them, and to you! And thanks also for the very kind words – this success story is all because of YOU! Your hard work, and the fact that you didn’t give up — even the “bland and common” (which we’d disagree that you are) can do it with the right attitude and effort!! Yay!