Cornell / Johnson - 11-19-2019 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

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November 18, 2019 2:35pm ET

Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern

Intake Year: 2019

Pre-MBA Career: Brand Management, Well-known Consumer Goods Brands

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consumer Goods Companies: Mondelez , Nestle , Nike , PepsiCo , Proctor & Gamble , Unilever

GRE: 317

GPA: 3.83

Years of Work Experience: 3

Location: Atlanta, GA

Post MBA Location: NYC or Chicago

Notes:

I have already applied to these schools in round 1, and am trying to figure out a round 2 strategy given I am traveling between round 1 notification and round 2 deadlines and won't have excessive time to figure out based on results. I also love the podcast!!

Additional info -
-I have interview invites at Ross, Kellogg (1Y), Fuqua (invite, not open interview) and Johnson. The Johnson interview is part of their LEAD weekend for the Park Scholarship. The only school I haven't heard from is Stern, I applied 9/30 so a bit worried on that one.
-I went to a top undergraduate institution and graduated with distinction, as well as being highly involved in leadership roles on campus
-My ST goal is to work for a well-known CPG company so it is important that the school have those connections, my LT goal is to be on the forefront of molding emerging brands like Jennifer Rubio (Away) or Katrina Lake (Stitch Fix), etc. Probably not in a founder role but more of VP of Marketing or Branding role. I will have 3 years of work experience at matriculation.
-Extracurriculars include volunteering with Girls on the Run, and running campus recruiting from my company for my alma mater ( a top 3 recruiter at the business school)
- I took the GMAT twice and the GRE once, and do explain in my optional essay that I do not test well in quantitative subjects but demonstrate proficiency in my undergraduate record and at work. (157Q 160V)
-I also run an Etsy shop on the side and talk about that entrepreneurial creative experience in most applications
-A bit surprised to have had the interview success given my GRE scores, so I am assuming my manager's recommendation was very well done and has helped. Especially on the Park Scholarship weekend for Johnson, seems like their barrier for leadership must be very high and I do not have a formal leadership role at work.

If I do draw a blank, where should I go from here?

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Show Comments (12) Last: December 13, 2019

anon24872 Likes Earned: 3 OP here - meant to write intake year as 2020 not 2019. Thanks! (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1674 You have done well with Interview Invites. Have you interviewed at any of the programs yet? I'd guess your application is strong all around, except for the GRE score. You need two plans for Round 2, really. One that is a result of getting admitted to at least one of these programs. While having multiple interview invites might suggest you have increased odds of admissions, it's not always the case. Anyway, if you do (fingers crossed), then look at 1-2 more M7s/Tuck/Haas/Yale perhaps. If you don't, then actually you have two considerations; wait a year (3 years is on the shorter side), or drop down a little, Emory/Kelley etc. Of course, you might well get some wait list results... (0)

anon24872 Likes Earned: 3 Thanks Alex! I've interviewed at Ross, Kellogg and Fuqua so far. I felt like Ross went very well and the other two were average, but am still worried that the score might keep me from getting an outright acceptance. Do you think any of the M7s are particularly forgiving on scores? I got the impression that Yale might be, but I'm not sure they have the CPG connections I'd want. On the drop down side, looking to stay away from Emory as that's where my undergrad is from and the same professors generally teach the classes, but was looking into UNC as an option - a bit worried about UNC's ability to stretch to Chicago/the Northeast after graduation. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1674 Yes, UNC might be a good option, if necessary. You may need to do a bit more legwork on the recruiting end. Not sure if any school really stands out re being less focused on the test scores. Any chance you could leave some interview reports for our archive? https://www.clearadmit.com/submit-interview-report/ (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1674 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps https://www.clearadmit.com/2019/11/episode-66-wire-taps-first-generation-university-graduate-low-gre-latin-american-with-education-background/ (0)

anon24872 Likes Earned: 3 OP - Thanks for covering on Wire Taps, was great to hear the discussion! You guys hit the nail on the head with my thoughts on the GRE - if schools aren't reporting out those scores maybe they'd be willing to accept a lower score, as test taking is clearly not my strong point. I'll update once I hear from any schools as well and am working on some interview reports. Thanks again! (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1674 Great, best of luck! (0)

anon24872 Likes Earned: 3 An update for everyone - found out I was accepted to my dream school in Kellogg with the 1Y program, but also got the Park Fellowship at Johnson! Just waiting on Ross really but this will be a tough decision, and the Park deadline is before the Kellogg visit day! (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1674 Wow, that is outstanding, very well done indeed! (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1674 im assuming you're not planning on round 2? (0)

anon24872 Likes Earned: 3 Definitely no round 2 for me - but a very tough decision to make in a very short amount of time (+ potentially more options next week!) (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1674 Very cool! Once you hear from Ross, if you're still undecided, post on DecisionWire, to get some additional feedback? (0)