After 3 years of hard work (GMAT + Essays), research and gruelling wait i have decided to call it quits. Today was a bad day, as soon as i stepped out of home i met an accident. Then received ding from one of the 2 schools i had applied to in R1. No interview invite :'(
Compared to last year i had much stronger essays and some of the current students who read my essays reciprocated my belief. Worst part is even after putting in 100s of hours i don't know what is wrong with my app. 740 GMAT (92 percentile in both sections), amongst top 3 students in undergrad (dean scholarship holder from a top engg college in India), tonnes of EC and leadership roles (played hockey at national level, chairman and cofounder of an NGO for past 5 years, various roles at my current organization) , excellent career progression (7 years of work exp at one of the global banks and leading a group of almost 30 people), have some patents to my name, one failed entrepreneurial venture, good recos...and decent essays
I am disappointed and feeling perplexed, not because i failed but because i don't know what caused this failure. And since i don't know where i am lacking i can't think of ways to improve my candidature. I have wasted almost 10% of my life on chasing my MBA dream..10% of my life WASTED..
But was it really a waste? i think i have become a better person in process of applying to b-schools. My communication skills have improved, my awareness of the world has increased..i met some of the most wonderful people in this journey..and most importantly i learnt to INTROSPECT...so it was not that bad...
something might be missing in my app that's why i am not attending a b-school..there would be a lot better candidates than me..and i have to accept it...feels bad but that's life....and i wasted lots of $$ on this game..bad bet..
I don't know how i am gonna keep this blog alive...atleast for next few weeks i just want to let go off this sad feeling....till then ciao...
Compared to last year i had much stronger essays and some of the current students who read my essays reciprocated my belief. Worst part is even after putting in 100s of hours i don't know what is wrong with my app. 740 GMAT (92 percentile in both sections), amongst top 3 students in undergrad (dean scholarship holder from a top engg college in India), tonnes of EC and leadership roles (played hockey at national level, chairman and cofounder of an NGO for past 5 years, various roles at my current organization) , excellent career progression (7 years of work exp at one of the global banks and leading a group of almost 30 people), have some patents to my name, one failed entrepreneurial venture, good recos...and decent essays
I am disappointed and feeling perplexed, not because i failed but because i don't know what caused this failure. And since i don't know where i am lacking i can't think of ways to improve my candidature. I have wasted almost 10% of my life on chasing my MBA dream..10% of my life WASTED..
But was it really a waste? i think i have become a better person in process of applying to b-schools. My communication skills have improved, my awareness of the world has increased..i met some of the most wonderful people in this journey..and most importantly i learnt to INTROSPECT...so it was not that bad...
something might be missing in my app that's why i am not attending a b-school..there would be a lot better candidates than me..and i have to accept it...feels bad but that's life....and i wasted lots of $$ on this game..bad bet..
I don't know how i am gonna keep this blog alive...atleast for next few weeks i just want to let go off this sad feeling....till then ciao...
13 comments:
This should not be the end of the World. Just keep this in mind that you wanted to do an MBA becasue it is you who wanted to do it. Don't go for an MBA to prove it to someone or merely coz of peer pressure. With a dazzling record like yours I am pretty sure you can do whatever you want.
I don't know about your long term plan but if entrepreneurship is something which interests you then I am sure you don't need an MBA. Sure MBA will equip you with solid networking but I am pretty sure it can be done on many other levels as well.
Take it that way that God does not want you to spend 150K to become someone you already are.
Good Luck my friend.
This should not be the end of the World. Just keep this in mind that you wanted to do an MBA becasue it is you who wanted to do it. Don't go for an MBA to prove it to someone or merely coz of peer pressure. With a dazzling record like yours I am pretty sure you can do whatever you want.
I don't know about your long term plan but if entrepreneurship is something which interests you then I am sure you don't need an MBA. Sure MBA will equip you with solid networking but I am pretty sure it can be done on many other levels as well.
Take it that way that God does not want you to spend 150K to become someone you already are.
Good Luck my friend.
Thanks a lot for the inspiring words :) .. u judged it right my vision is to spearhead my own firm one day..i am down but will bounce back :)..
cheers
It's possible that the goals you've set yourself don't align with who you are. Aiming for the top ten just because they are the top ten is artificial and it will show all through your application. You aren't falling in love with the school, just only with the ranking.
And, really, what is the difference between a school that is no. 10 and a school that is no. 11? And what do you think the purpose of a ranking is? Do you think that recruiters use rankings to make decisions on whether they come to campus to recruit?
I think you need to be true to yourself and look beyond the top ten. Ask yourself what it really means to be in the top ten and why it is so important to be admitted to one of these, and why you can't contemplate looking at the schools in the top 20 range or top 30. What benefit does getting into the top ten provide that the others in the top twenty do not, other than ego?
Some of the top schools for entrepreneurship aren't in the top ten overall ranking.
I'm sorry to hear of your disappointing news! You may want to contact Ellipser, a former applicant blogger who gained a seat at Cornell's Johnson School this year. He generously offers to provide free feedback on essays. You never know what another pair of eyes may see.
http://money9111.blogspot.com/2011/10/if-youre-applying-2-b-school.html
I have been following your blog ever since i started applying 2 yrs back.. Currently I am in 1st yr MBA at Babson and I must say your blog was always help and motivation... Thank you for that.. A lot of applicants and I truly appreciate it!!
As far as your application is considered.. You have incredible stats and record, what might have gone wrong is finding the right fit... You could have been overqualified for one odd school.. Its very possible..
Also, please write to the schools and try to find out what went wrong... It would be interesting to know what the schools think and also helpful for future applicants...
All the best for future and I hope you continue blogging!!
You have an excellent profile. Are you spreading yourself too thin?
Instead of reapplying to same schools, I would have applied to different schools. You still have time for Round 2. Apply for schools in top 10-15 range. There are couple of excellent schools which will give you excellent opportunities.
Thanks a lot for motivating me :) .. i have entrepreneurial dreams and my past failure revealed that i don't have any clue about raising and managing the capital efficiently ..also i lack the network to get initial projects for my firm...thats why i wanted an MBA..
But recently i got an opportunity to kick start my 2nd venture..so i am moving ahead without an MBA..
KT,
I just came across your last post and you have received some excellent feedback from the other posters. You are also apparently already bouncing back from the disappointment and even have an attractive opportunity.
Good luck with the 2nd venture you referred to in a comment. I hope it works out for you. If at some point you decide to reconsider the MBA, check out
MBA Decisions: What Next?
Best,
Linda Abraham
If you ever want to chat about the clutches of not getting into business school and starting up a small venture, let me know. I went through the same thing you did. Feel free to reach out. My name is Oscar. Oscar.oscar@gmail.com
An MBA isn't everything.
My book 'life is what you make it' elucidates this.
Your path may be completely different.
Wait and watch.
preeti
Hi PS -- Thanks a lot for encouraging words. I am waiting but finding it hard to figure out the right path...will mail u to seek guidance..
cheers
KT
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