mmb1126

Thanks for the list Ifollis...of course ALL of the schools I applied to are either in your notables category, or just plain haven't moved yet...sigh

Hmmm I had this happen with one of my applications a week ago. I did what you did, but also had the PhD program manager confirm that my application would be reviewed while I had her on the phone...it took about 2-3 business days for the system to update status that my app was under review after they confirmed verbally that my scores had been properly matched. In my case, I confirmed with both the business PhD program manager that she received them, and the University graduate admissions office that they had sent them over... I would refrain from contacting the department as this is more of a process/administration concern which is handled by the appropriate staff and not the faculty/ad com...I think you've reached out to the right party...there may be a delay in response time given its a busy season for them. But I still found them responsive, even if it wasn't an instant turn around. good luck, hopefully it all gets squared away.

I took on a project at work because it was interesting and I thought I'd be just the distraction I needed...its a grant from the Harvard Kennedy School and we've submitted our application and were interviewed already...so now I'm anxious about my work email to see if we got the grant AND my personal email about interviews/admits... sigh... I totally didn't think that (non) distraction through!!!!

As if the waiting and checking game weren't stressful enough, this week I discovered clerical errors in two of my applications. Luckily, I check the online systems and my email several times a day and discovered the discrepancies! At one school, the graduate studies admissions had released all info except my scores to the adcom...so one system notation showed all components received, and one showed missing scores. I had to call both the doctoral coordinator and the grad admissions office to ensure transfer and receipt of my scores. So that school's departmental adcom didn't get my app until 10:30 this am...sigh... At another school I received system generated emails when each LOR was received...but then got an update from the doctoral coordinator that one LOR was missing. I was able to send over the confirmation AND have the prof send a PDF version of the LOR directly to the coordinator... the system had never transmitted the final LOR properly...so that adcom just received my app yesterday... I'm relieved that I caught the discrepancies, and had the time stamped paper trails to prove all items had been submitted on time...and now I know the adcoms are active since they were updating statuses. But I'm slightly on edge and will most definitely be having a Friday night cocktail...or three later this evening...

Like XA, I too am an American football fan. I haven't been too neurotic yet, because for the first time in years my NFL team had a (short) playoff berth... but alas, with OSU winning the first college football championship and the Super Bowl quickly approaching, not even my fantasy football picks are there to occupy my time and I have slowly taken to checking my email incessantly...and the application systems...ummm yeah and even twitter...you know, just in case...

Just sent my last one off today...when you figure this out, let me know!

Thanks for all of the advice...especially as it relates to my industry experience. I haven't been ashamed of it, but a little gun shy about it after a few less than ideal encounters. However, the call went well, and it turns out the coordinator went into his own doctoral program (many moons ago of course) after about a similar amount of time in industry. So he actually valued it *** Appinfo, PhDPlease, and myndfood have suggested. He's even doing research in an area where I have a significant amount of industry experience. It seems to be a good match culture and research wise. I'm absolutely applying next week after I get my preliminary scores.

Appinfo...that makes me feel much better. I've spoken with some people who've made me feel like chopped liver for having over 10 years of industry experience.

XanthusARES , Thanks for your response. I definitely covered points 1-3 that you mentioned above. I had also covered them with another professor last week and was glad to see that the two of them gave answers that were in line with each other. Particularly with regards to culture . I've been asking the doctoral students about life in the area, because I think their take will be much more aligned to what my experience would be...primarily due to salary difference between profs and students...great pizza only counts if its stipend priced! All in all, it was a very productive call. I was able to get details on how many students they are bringing in, in which areas of focus, and recent GMAT/GRE score ranges. I was also able to get some referrals to speak to other professors in the department and he agreed to let me come sit in on a seminar. I didn't need to ask about the football team...they are SEC East, and I'm from Missouri so I'm well acquainted with the conference...but I think its safe to say I'll leave that reference out of my SOP. Thanks again for the suggestions. mmb

Hey there! I've recently joined the site after reading some extremely informative posts here. I appreciate the willingness of everyone to share in their experiences and knowledge. I've been a little shy to post, because I'm a (slightly) older applicant, having spent a decent amount of time in industry and everyone here seems so focused and accomplished in academia even prior to applying to programs. That being said, I have a call this afternoon with the doctoral coordinator for marketing at one of my top target schools. I have previously spoken at length with a POI (learned that term on this site) there and a current doctoral student. So, I sent the guy an email and he graciously agreed to carve out a bit of time to speak with me. Their website is a bit limited on the program, so I have a list of things I'd like to ask about. But I wanted to reach out here to get some advice on key things to cover. I've seen where people have given a profile of sorts in other posts. I'm not sure if am posting the right information but here goes: B.S. Business Admin 3.6 GPA & MBA Finance 3.9 GPA from a regionally known (but not nationally ranked) state school M.S. Healthcare Financial Management 3.6 GPA Top 50 B School 13 years of post MBA work experience in pharma corporate finance/licensing & acquisitions, pharma market research/new product development, and management consulting (strategy) 2 articles published in non academic journals 1 Conference presentation at 2014 AMA Summer Educators Conference (research with a professor is ongoing, and soon to be submitted for consideration in what I think you would consider a B journal) Twice served as ad hoc reviewer for AMA conferences Sadly, my test scores have long since expired...and the exam has changed...so I am scheduled to take it in 2 weeks. Thank you to anyone who can offer some advice. mmb