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Success Story! The roundabout route – the finale!

December 27, 2013 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

And how we hear what happened to the BSer who asked us for help on some essays way back in December 2011, then got waitlisted at Columbia, then got a new job, then was considering a part-time program… Read the whole saga starting from Part 1 or review Part 2.


Fast forward one year to the fall of 2013, and I was casually discussing my previous experience with business school with a coworker, who mentioned that she had a former colleague who had gone through a 1-year MBA program in Europe and switched out of our industry. A 1-year program in Europe? Much lower tuition, only 1 year out of the workforce? I had been so previously focused on full-time programs in the US that I had never even looked at these programs. It definitely had my attention. I thought an MBA would still be useful for me in my career, and I was fine with the idea of leaving a job after 2 years.

So, I started the process yet again. I met my targeted schools at MBA fairs (one school even offered casual one-on-one meetings at an MBA fair, which was really great) and receptions. I also started following EssaySnark again and signed up for the blog subscription. [Thanks for that! Always appreciate our members. -EssaySnark] I did a bunch of research and learned about how the 1-year European programs are perceived, their strengths and weaknesses. I considered everything, but the fact that a media professional like myself had gone through the program and endorsed it meant a lot more to me personally than rankings. I was also extremely impressed with the alumni/fellow applicants that I met, and with the schools themselves.

This time, I started the application process extremely early, aiming to apply for October deadlines. I felt more comfortable and confident this time around with my essays (in significant part due to the previous experience that I had with EssaySnark; I definitely heard EssaySnark’s voice asking questions in my head). I padded the time that I gave my recommenders (by a LOT). I was done with the GMAT, so I didn’t have to deal with GMAT, essays, and recommenders at the same time. I just focused on researching my schools and re-shaping my essays.

End result: I was accepted to my #1 choice! I’m all set. It’s a very far cry from where I was during Christmas of 2011, hastily revising my Columbia application, and about to give EssaySnark an email cry for help.

In retrospect, I should’ve given it my best shot at other applications in the fall/winter of 2011, even though it was late, given my own personal situation/circumstances with my job at that time and the fact that I’m an older applicant. An application in even a later round has a chance, which is better than no application at all.

Overall, I’m very happy about the way things turned out, and so extremely excited about going to business school in Europe and getting out with only 1 year’s worth of loans. I may have been overly cautious in 2011, but I learned from that and happily, I got into the school that is perfect for me and my career at this stage in time.

I think anyone, whether they are starting from scratch or have some experience with the application process, would benefit from Essay Snark’s tutelage. What I learned:

  1. Get started early with everything–studying for the GMAT, taking the GMAT, re-taking the GMAT, learning about schools. It is NEVER too early, at any time of the year, to begin with any of these things. Once I signed up for a school’s mailing list, I got invitations for coffee chats with alumni, or selective receptions with AdCom members throughout the year that aren’t always advertised. If you can’t force yourself to start studying for the GMAT, what you can do is start learning about schools (which is an intensive process). If you can’t get excited about learning about schools, then you probably shouldn’t be applying to b-school! [Amen! -EssaySnark]
  2. If I was starting the process from the beginning, I’d sign up for a comprehensive profile review with EssaySnark.
  3. Once you start with the process…don’t stop, unless you’re doing it wrong. It’s not over until you get in the school that ranks highest on your personal preference list.

Congrats on the admit, former BSer! And thanks for the kind words offered throughout.

This story reinforces our belief that everyone lands in exactly the place they should be. Sure, Columbia would have been an awesome experience, but you’ll be ending up in nearly the same place in terms of when you end up graduating, yet in a stronger position financially, and also in a program that is going to provide you with new experiences. Who knows where your life will take you after this?! It’s pretty awesome. Thanks for reconnecting and sharing this with us – you rock!

Filed Under: 1-year MBA, European schools, Success Stories

« Previous: If Harvard gets more apps, why is it harder to get into Stanford?
Next: This is a little effed up. »

So who the heck is EssaySnark, anyway?!

We're the snarky experts in MBA admissions!

Sometimes amused and often appalled by what candidates write in their MBA applications to top bschools, EssaySnark created this little blahg to share common mistakes. Learn from them and avoid making admissions directors laugh (or want to hurl) when they read your essays. If you are hoping to have your essay reviewed anonymously on the blahg for free, submit it for consideration.

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From a BSer January 2020:
"love the guide books!"


CLASS OF 2023 MBA APPLICATION STRATEGY GUIDES

     
    The 2020 Berkeley-Haas MBA Application Guide - updated for the Class of 2023 application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Berkeley Haas - refreshed and updated, with brainstorming exercises and structured maps to help you focus your stories!
   
    The 2020-2021 NYU Stern MBA Application Guide that covers the main essay, the EQ Endorsement and Pick Six!
SnarkStrategies Guide for NYU - discusses your requirements for the Class of 2023 essays!
   
    The 2020-2021 Columbia MBA Application Guide
SnarkStrategies Guide for Columbia Business School for 2020-2021 applications
   
    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Harvard Business School!
   
    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Duke Fuqua - up to date for the current season!
   
    The 2020-2021 MIT Essay Guide covers the org chart, the contacts for two references, and additional tips for the cover letter and 'introduce yourself' video -- and everything else you need to know!
SnarkStrategies Guide for MIT Sloan MBA - totally revised for the Class of 2023!
   
    The 2020-2021 Tuck Essay Guide has been refreshed with latest insights and advice for your essays about "investing generously" and "why Tuck"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for the Dartmouth Tuck MBA - completely overhauled for 2020, to help you demonstrate how you are nice, aware, etc stuff!
   
    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Yale SOM - updated for 2020-2021
   
    The 2020-2021 Chicago Booth MBA Application Guide - ready to go to support your Class of 2023 essay strategy!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Chicago Booth for this year's MBA app!
   
    The 2020 Wharton MBA Application Guide - even more advice on how to get to a win with those essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for The Wharton School - with new tips for 2020!
   
    The 2020 Kellogg Essay Guide - with a full methodology to identify your 'lasting impact' and your 'values' -- plus tips on 2020 world events and applicability to your essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Kellogg MBA - updated and revised for the new realities of 2020!    
      The 2020 Stanford MBA Application Guide - for "what matters most" in your MBA application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Stanford GSB for the Class of 2023
   
    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for 
UCLA
   
   

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What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: ($) The reality of applying to external scholarships for your graduate education
  • 2018: You made it! Now do this. (Reality Check Dub)
  • 2017: Military Candidate Question: "Why does Stanford have a smaller percentage of Vets?"
  • 2017: What happens to global business schools when the U.S. President is protectionist?
  • 2016: Used to be, the waitlist meant you had a real chance.
  • 2016: ($) The biggest reason why Round 3 is not worth it.
  • 2016: Deciding between competing MBA offers
  • 2015: Rate the Schools!
  • 2015: Those wily Stanford undergrads are requesting their admissions records.
  • 2014: Consider broadening your horizons.
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