med2015

Admission Year: 2015 Test Used for Admittance: (GMAT/GRE) GMAT Test Scores: [ 710 (92%), 44 (58%), 42 (96%) Undergrad GPA: 3.9 Graduate GPA: N/A Industry Experience: 6 months full time (Merchandising) 3 internships (digital marketing) Research Experience: Senior year thesis in CB, transitioned into ongoing project with faculty. At the time of application, the project had been accepted to a conference as a competitive paper. It is now in the manuscript phase. Concentration Applied to: Marketing- CB Range of Schools Applied: 2 in top 10ish, 4 in top 20ish, 1 in top 30ish, 1 top 50ish Total Schools Applied To: 4 interviews, 2 acceptances w/o interview (Top 10/20ish and top 50ish), 3 waitlists w/interview, 1 waitlist w/o interview, 1 withdrawn, 1 rejection. Overall heard back from 7/8. Final Remarks: So, after a lot (and I mean A LOT) of thought, I actually ended up accepting my offer from the top 50 school, even though I had an offer from a decently higher ranked (top 10-20ish) school. I loved both schools, and definitely feel that I would have been successful either way. Honestly I just ended up going with my gut. I accepted the same school that I had done my undergraduate degree at. I already have a great relationship with the faculty there and ongoing research, which is a definite plus. They are also bringing on some really awesome new faculty members who I've already started speaking with about potential projects. Additionally, they have outstanding funding, as in, they will fund anything and everything so long as you can make a decent argument for it. Of course, I also have my family and SO here, which definitely played a role in my decision, though I'm pretty confidant that I would have made the same choice regardless. It was just too good of a culture for me to let go of, and I really think the program is on the upswing. I guess my main advice would be to go with your gut. I interviewed with two top 10ish schools, but the sparks didn't really fly with either of them. I ended up waitlisted at both, so I'm assuming the feelings were mutual. The two I did end up getting into, and a third that I ended up withdrawing from prior to a final decision, were definitely three great fits, so I figured I really couldn't go wrong with any of them. I think getting into a top program is awesome, and if it's a great fit, then that's wonderful! But I wouldn't try to force yourself to find a fit with a top program if it doesn't really exist. I imagine you'd have a pretty unhappy 5 years. Anyways, that's just my two cents. Here's to hoping I'll be as productive as I think I will be in the next five years, and good luck to all the future candidates :)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

When I was applying, most schools had a very explicit "application fee is not waived under any circumstance" line in the FAQ section. One exception I can think of is USC Marshall, which did have a way to waive, but I can't remember off the top of my head what it required. The GMAC offers a limited number of fee waivers to schools using the GMAT. It might not hurt to see if the schools you're interested in applying to participate in this program. The waiver does have to come from the school as far as I can tell, they don't give it to individual students. More info here: GMAT® Fee Waivers

Does anyone have input on whether it's better to decline an offer via a phone call or an email? I'm not sure if one way or the other is the typical way to do this. Thanks!

Haha completely understandable if you're not from AZ to get them all mixed up. I do that with pretty much every other state :)

...By UNA I'm thinking you mean NAU (Northern Arizona University)? NAU doesn't have a doc program, and their MBA is significantly lower than either UA or ASU. Beautiful campus but they primarily focus on the health fields (PA and PT are their big ones) rather than business. (Sorry for rambling, AZ native!) @huan0780 Eller is a great school, and I definitely wouldn't rule them out against SC. That said, at the end of the day, you need to go with where you think you'll be most productive. Your gut isn't a bad decision maker (in my experience).

^I heard the exact same thing after my interview with SC. Not to say it's not a good program, but definitely something worth asking about. As for ASU vs U of A. Arizona generally implies U of A, which is a comparable program to both SC and ASU; but do your research on Tucson, IMO it's not a great place to spend 5 years.* *Disclaimer: I'm a die hard Sun Devils fan, so take this with a grain of salt :)

Thank you all very much, it is comforting to know that it is doable. I still haven't made a final decision yet, but I will definitely update when I do!

I think both pieces of advice were spot on, and I really appreciate it! I'm not worried about having to move around cities at all, in fact I love exploring new places, I think I'm really struggling with the long distance relationship aspect. It's good to know that someone else has done an LDR for a year and been successful :) I've talked about moving with my SO, and while he's not entirely thrilled with the location of the school I'm considering, he's been pretty open minded about moving out once he finishes up his degree, which is a bit comforting.

Thank you! That's what I'm leaning towards right now as well. I know it shouldn't hurt my relationship with school 2, but for some reason I'm worried that they'll be offended that I didn't choose their program.

Hi Everyone, I'm in a very lucky position where I have two offers from two schools that I love (Marketing CB). Unfortunately, it makes the decision making a bit more difficult. I can't seem to make a decision and stick with it, so I'd prefer any input anyone may have. School one: Top 10/Top 20 depending on the year Pros: Great faculty who are very productive. Doing amazing research that I'm very interested in jumping in on. They place very well on the job market with a 100% placement rate. It would be in a new city for me, which would is both a pro and con. Very small class, so there is no fear of getting to work with any of the faculty. Their faculty are some of the most productive in the world. Cons: My SO of 3 years would not be able to join me for at least a year. I would not know anyone in the new city (again, pro and con!). I would be starting from square one with the faculty, since I did not know them prior to applying. School two: Top 40/50ish Pros: I know the faculty extremely well already, and am positive that I work well with them. They are well respected in the field. I already have work in progress with them, so I could hit the ground running. They have hired two very impressive candidates who will begin next fall, and I would love to work with. I would get to stay in the city I'm in now (AKA stay with my SO). Even smaller program, so again, no issue with getting to work with who I wanted. Cons: Definitely do not place as well on the job market. Do not have a 100% placement rate (while some students turned down offers for personal reasons, some have stayed a 6th year, with funding, before being placed). In the past, the school has pretty much been held up by one professor, but the new, more junior faculty have really seem like they are starting a bit of a new era at the school. I would appreciate any input, as I've been driving myself mad these last few days trying to come to a decision.

Just to clarify, I didn't interview with them, I just know some faculty. They may not be done yet!

Duke has moved. I'm not sure whether they're done with interviews or not, but I would expect they're close. I've heard nothing about UCLA.

Me! I'm very excited, it's my first conference.

Not sure since it was a different school, but this might be similar. A school I was accepted to rejected some applicants that they knew for sure that they weren't interested in, and then began reviewing applications from there. Perhaps USC is doing something similar, where they've just started really looking at applications. (Why the 12/1 deadline though...I have no idea.)

Hello! Similar to my earlier question, how are full time people handling fly out visits? Is it unacceptable if you could fly out over a weekend in order to not miss work? I can swing one fly out during the week, but more than that and my manager will start getting irritated/suspicious.

Hey Everyone, When a school asks you to "keep them updated on your decision process" does this mean you should let them know when you receive other interviews/offers, or just whether or not you are still considering that school? Thanks!

Deleted as Ifolis updated the list :)

Haha I never even thought about the two OSU options. Maybe it's because for Ohio it's always THE Ohio State.

I heard from Moore. They're referring to South Carolina :)

UT Austin has started moving too.

Does anyone have any insight on what's going on with UT Austin's Marketing department regarding recent publications? In 2011 they published 19 articles, but have only published 16 in the years since, according to the UT Dallas tool. Has their program gone down a bit, or is this just how it works sometimes?

I've been wondering the same about USC. Haven't seen anything come from them this year, but in the past it seems like they started moving in late Jan.

Not OP, but I did and received the same email if that helps.

I can't vouch for the others, but I do know that the ASU admissions are correct.