Tuck Submitted

I just submitted the application for Tuck ... well not just, submitted yesterday. It is my absolute favourite school, and I have resolved that even if I don't make it anywhere this year, retaking the GMAT next year will solely be focused on Tuck. Here's why:

1. Human Process - The overall vibes I got from the school were the most 'human' amongst all business school What do I mean by Human - well for starters their alumni and students do not have any airs at all about themselves and where they went to study. Amazing people. I got a response from each and every Tuckie I reached out to, some followed up even though I sometimes forgot to do so. Their comments were amazing - one of the alumnus told me straight up that if I wanted to go to Tuck, my essays needed to have different career goals. The ones I had wont fly. Other schools such as Columbia, their alumni were so stuck on the brand name that they never put up a red flag! They were like 'well everyone's doing something or the other, so I'm sure you'll be able to carve out your own niche here'

2. Beautiful Environs - I haven't been there, but I've seen official and amateur videos+pics of the place. And it is stupendously beautiful. The small class sizes and beautiful setting is idyllic, and something that really draws me to Tuck. Why not a Duke/Cornell then? well they do too, but Tuck's overall repute and strong focus on general mgmt. edge them out

3. Amazing faculty - Tuck has the highest % of full time faculty, and when a school commits to such a high number of faculty, their commitment shows right back. Saw essays via youtube of classes at almost all the b schools I applied at - Prof. Finkelstein clearly stood out.

4. Career services - I am not too well versed with this aspect, but seems Tuck always figures in the top 3, if not the top, schools with the highest % of students in jobs 3 months after graduation. Wow! - talk about consistency and the career services commitment, not to mention the school's amazing brand name

5. Alumni - this is clearly an outlier. I rate their alumni network the strongest, and got a sense of it when I spoke with students. Not one person was there who did NOT exemplify how strong the network is. And the stories were remarkable. Compare that to a Wharton, where even the alumni who lived in Delhi itself, met for the first time at the admissions reception only. You may feel that this can be quite common, and I agree - but that's exactly how tuck stands out!

Anyways, my rant here is just to show how much i absolutely love the school. As I wait with bated breath (read that somewhere, too dramatic) I sincerely hope that even if I get rejected w/o interview everywhere else, I make it to Tuck. Will probably not ever want anything else in life, well atleast for the next 2 years ;)

Admissions Consulting

Admissions consulting companies are a result of the immensely convoluted MBA admissions process that schools have set up. While admissions officers say they want to hear about the real 'You', they don't mention that they also want to read an impressive application - i.e. the structure, flow etc. should be very different and surprising. how do you anticipate a student will do that now - I don't really buy their BS about writing in your own unique voice etc. Come on - would you really want to admit an Indian applicant who can't write well? The GMAT is coachable, you could do well on your verbal without really being good in English. And the applicant, assuming he is aware of what aspects of his application he falters in - such as essay writing - will definitely seek external help. Anyways, I too spoke with 3-4 admissions consultants for an initial review of my candidature. What follows is my experience and what I thought of the consultant in particular

- Stacy Blackman - I spoke with Bill Chonis. He was an awesome person to speak with, very courteous and knew his stuff. Said I had shots at the schools I intended to apply to. I agreed with his assessment (not of schools but generally) and he would have been my #2 choice if I did pay a consultant to help me

- Amerasia - Spoke with Paul. he's plain awesome. Amazing insights, means business - won't give you BS around well I have seen XYZ type of people getting in so you have a chance too - says what he wants to upfront and these end up being effective candid views. Would have definitely hired him if I had the money

- Adam Makus - he's too stuck up - I think he is only good for Japanese clients maybe or those who have immaculate stats and will get in for sure, thereby making it safe for himself in terms of acceptance rates

- Aringo - Spoke with Karin, their CEO. She was alright, gave me a good rate but am not sure whether I want to use their hourly rate or no

- Accepted - Spoke with someone I dont remember her name. She also said I could be competent basis my atypical profile, and was very nice to speak to. Her experience showed in the way she spoke to me and what all she recommended

- Clear Admit - I was supposed to speak with one of their consultants who's ex Columbia Business Scool (forgot her name) but she was a bit unprofessional - she never called, and always had issues in fixing up a time to spk. I think she's one of their busiest consultants so maybe thats the case. I did speak to someone else (again dont remember the name - its been long) but she was good

Essay editing - haven;t paid anyone as of yet but I think Essay Snark is really good - humourous guy/team that gives great insights. Also heard decent things about Essay Critique

All in all - Indian applicants do have some disadvantages - from an applicant pool perspective and also from the fact that they can't afford to get consultants to help them. I think there are 2 types of Indians who use these consulting services

1. They come from filthy rich backgrounds such as my friend who hired a personal consultant (single man service, one of the best) and paid him $6,000 for 2-3 schools. He got into 1 which was in the top 10 and matriculated. $6,000 is Rs. 300,000 or half of the total yearly compensation of an Analyst at Bain & Co.

2. They are consultants/IT folks who go abroad on client projects, save on their per diem and use that money (as they get it in $s) for such things

Anyways, I am firmly continuing in my own journey, consultant-less