Undecided - 12-24-2019 | Clear Admit DecisionWire

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December 23, 2019 6:40pm ET

Enrolled: Undecided

Admitted: INSEAD $

Applied: Dartmouth / Tuck, INSEAD, Northwestern / Kellogg, UCLA Anderson

Entering Year: 2020

Post MBA Career: Consulting Companies: Bain, BCG, McKinsey

GMAT: 710

GPA: 2.95

Location: United Arab Emirates

Notes:

Accepted at INSEAD and shortlisted for a scholarship but I won't know until February.
-Waitlisted at Tuck and UCLA
-Denied without Interview at Kellogg
I want to go into management consulting and so INSEAD is a great move, plus I believe I'm a strong fit because of my very international lifestyle (lived in 4 countries).
But Tuck was my number 1

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Show Comments (9) Last: January 7, 2020

anon10077 Likes Earned: 20 OP here - also short-term I'd like to be back in the US. I am a US citizen but all of my work XP is abroad. My research on forums indicates that US citizens at INSEAD are securing MBB in the US. Any thoughts / input appreciated. Will try my best to get off waitlist from Tuck, but regardless very excited about INSEAD. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 Congrats on your options. It will be worth pursuing the wait list at Tuck, as you further explore your options. How does the less-than one year experience of the MBA factor into your calculus? Are you transitioning into consulting or coming from consulting? Both INSEAD and Tuck are great programs for consulting. Because you're a US citizen, I'd think there's a pathway for you to the US from INSEAD, but I'd also think that Tuck will provide a wider net of options. But that's a hunch. (1)

anon10077 Likes Earned: 20 Thanks for the quick response. I initially wanted a shorter program: less time away from work, less debt, etc. In that regard INSEAD is a great investment. But lately I've come to realize that even though I am a little on the older side (will be 30 when I matriculate), an MBA is something you do once so spending more time to deepen the experience, bonds, etc. now seems the better option. My background is in engineering/construction so I will be new to the consulting world but am very much used to high stress environments / complex problem-solving. My concern is that the Tuck waitlist feedback will be to retake my GMAT which is already a 710 (Q48, V38). I've just started MBA Math which will hopefully signal self-improvement and preparation. Any other ideas? (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 The two year option provides better access to internship for a career switch, too. So depositing at INSEAD and pushing the Tuck waitlist might be the right move, for now. GMAT is ok, taking the MBA Math course is good. Have you visited Tuck? (1)

anon10077 Likes Earned: 20 OP here: Good advice - that's exactly what I've done! I have not visited Tuck as I'm over overseas in Dubai and won't be stateside before June. It would be difficult to come out to Hanover before the Summer. Do you think that would be a game changer though? Any other suggestions? Thanks for your input. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 A visit to Tuck would confirm your interest in the program, especially since its location makes the experience rather unique. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 More details on this decision in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2019/12/episode-73-wire-taps-product-manager-seeking-social-impact-and-choosing-between-schools/ (1)

anon10077 Likes Earned: 20 OP here - Alex, thanks for featuring my post in last week's podcast. I very much enjoyed that podcast as well as many of the other features available on Clear Admit. I have an update regarding Tuck: I received my feedback from them yesterday to increase my GMAT score if possible. I'm a bit hesitant to try that as I don't know that I'll be able to score significantly higher (>=730) and it will take a lot of time. I'd rather spend my time doing things such as MBA Math that will better prepare me for business school. I completely agree with what you guys said about visiting the school, but do you think there's any point if I intend to ignore their feedback regarding GMAT? (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 That's a tough one, honestly. My advice is always to follow feedback that's offered by adcom. (0)