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($) “If I’m really really really really really excited about a school do you think they will let me in???”

January 3, 2019 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

This question coming of course from a Brave Supplicant with a really low GMAT.

And the answer is…. actually, yes! Or at least, maybe! Depending on the school, and particularly if you’re trying in Round 1.

In Round 2, it’s much less common for even the friendliest most culture-driven schools to be quite so accommodating. What is more likely to happen with an appropriately-enthusiastic applicant with a less-than profile in the January round is that the school could waitlist them, and if they don’t make it in, then that school would likely be very receptive for a Round 1 app in the Fall.

Reapplicants are often looked upon favorably by many schools because it shows a) dedication, and b) commitment to that school. It’s no easy feat to dust yourself off and go at it again. If someone is motivated enough to try applying again after not making it in the first time, lots of admissions teams see that as a positive. (Pro Tip: You need to improve your profile in some way as a reapplicant; you can’t just try again with the same flawed approach and expect a different result the next time.)

For someone who’s trying in Round 2 with known flaws in the profile, especially a marked weakness like a 660 GMAT or worse, then does extreme enthusiasm in the application make a difference? Can that be enough to tip the scales and convince the adcoms to admit?

We don’t see it happen very often, mostly because the competition is just too severe at this stage.

We definitely do see applicants with big dents in the profile like the 660 score have much more possibility in the earlier stage of the season — and especially when the enthusiasm is honest!

You cannot manufacture enthusiasm for your school. It needs to come from a place of authenticity, and the way you talk about your interest in what the school offers needs to be genuine.

The schools can spot a fake applicant from a mile away.

And the opposite is also totally true.

Every now and then — like, probably only once per admissions cycle — we encounter a BSer who is too legit to quit. We always get super excited when we meet them! And it’s because their own excitement is so contagious. The adcom will feel this too — and note we said “adcom” and not “adcoms.”

It’s impossible to feel this level of enthusiasm for multiple schools simultaneously. When you’re targeting the one that you love, that target knows it, and very often is inclined to respond. Even in the face of a flawed test score or whatever.

What we’re talking about is someone who isn’t just reciting names of courses or mentioning a professor or a club in their essay. It’s someone who hasn’t just talked to one or two students, but who’s been doing their research on this school because they are practically obsessed. It’s someone who’s convinced that it’s their destiny to go there — not because they really super want to go there, but because they can feel it b@lls to bones.

If you don’t feel that way about your school, you can still get in — but you can’t fake feeling that way if it’s not there.

It’s just like true love, ya know?

Whenever we encounter this type of reaction from a BSer then we’ve always been blown away and so optimistic, because it comes through in how they write their essays and the things they say in their app. Again, not manufactured. Legit. And it always works out, because the adcom can feel it too.

At least, the ones we’ve ever seen have this, have made it in to the school that they love. And all of them have been in the first round.

If you fall in love with a school like this and don’t apply till January, is it impossible? Well, no, but one factor of love is that it makes you impatient. So it’s not a causal relationship, the Round 1 -> admit thing, it’s correlation. Which means that sure, if this happens later in the season and you’re convincing in how you express it, the outcome could also be the same. (We just haven’t seen it happen that way before.)

For all of you crafty BSers who are reading this wondering how they can insert this “love” into their essays…. Go ahead and try if you want. But smarmy synthetic affection is not gonna earn you any hearts. It all happens when it’s natural and sincere.

Here’s wishing all of you make it into the schools you’re in love with! When the hand of Destiny plays a part then it is especially gratifying to see.


Wanna see if your essays sound authentic and true? Hit us up for the Essay Decimator — you can try our Single Shot Express if you’re feeling stressed about time!!

 
 
You may also be interested in:

  • Another post on the importance of research
  • “no other school has…”

Filed Under: low GMAT, reapplying

« Previous: Most common mistakes in applying to bschool that won’t get you rejected but also really are not good.
Next: ($) MIT and NYU are not safety schools »

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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!
   
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    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
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    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
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    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"!
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    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
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    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!
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    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
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What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: Becoming your future self
  • 2019: What's going on with Fuqua?
  • 2019: ($) What we've seen with a few "bad MBA interview" situations
  • 2018: Good luck today if you're hoping for Harvard!
  • 2018: Just a reminder...
  • 2017: ($) How will Round 2 go for international MBA applicants to U.S. bschools? [UPDATED]
  • 2017: Just in case you are growing impatient....
  • 2016: Preparing for bschool (and interviews, and sorta life in general)
  • 2013: And the award for Worst MBA Essays goes to...
  • 2012: business etiquette
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