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  • Posted: Oct-14
  • To: All
  • 132 of 203
I hope everyone's applications are coming along well.  Remember to have at least one person read over your essays and your application (make a pdf of it to review) before submitting. 

For those of you just now entering the process, don't fret.  R2 will not put you at a disadvantage.  Just make sure you don't put it off until R3.  That is a recipe for disaster.

If you have any questions, I am happy to help.

Good Luck!

Brent

-------------------------
Alchemy Admissions Advisors
The Pay-for-Performance Admissions Advisors
Contact us for a FREE consultation
http://www.alchemyprep.com
  • Posted: Oct-19
  • 133 of 203
Hey All,

A lot of my friends in the past asked me how I did so well on the GMAT.

I scored a 780, and it was a significant difference from my original score of 580!

Here's the secret to what I did, and I hope that it will help you all as well!

About the 580:

When I took the test the first time, I scheduled the morning test. This was probably not the best strategy for me, as I had been practicing mostly in the afternoon. I was clearly physically tired in the morning, and I had to drink a cup of coffee to "stay awake" during the exam.

Looking back, this was an awful idea for me, as I was clearly out of my rhythm, and my score of 580 was significantly lower than my practice scores.

About the 780:

I was really disappointed when I got my 580, and was determined to do well. Here's what I did to do well without taking a fancy and expensive test prep course:

Step 1: Get the right materials
I purchased the following:
a) Electronic software by the ETS with the real GMAT questions (warning: do not buy the book version if you get the electronic version. The electronic version uses the same questions, and will give you a false score because you are answering questions that you've already seen).
b) I also purchased the cheapest book of GMAt questions that I could find (in my case it was the Arco book).
c) I also bought the Princeton Review's Math Workout book. This has some useful strategies on how to tackle math problems.
d) I also bought the Kaplan book with the CD. This is typically known as the hardest questions, but prepare you well for the test.

Step 2: Pace yourself and peak at the right time
I began my studies by only answering 10 questions a night using the Arco book. I gave myself an unlimited amount of time, and made sure that I was able to get the questions right. Sometimes I'd spend up to 30 minutes on 1 question to make sure that I was right. If I got something wrong, I'd spend a lot of time to make sure I know what I did wrong.

Step 2: Increase the pace
As I got better, in the 2nd or 3rd week, I answered 10 questions again, but gave myself 1 hour to finish them all. Again, the hope is that you can quicken the pace, but still get the same amount right.

Step 3: Transition to the computer tests
Since all GMAT tests are taken on a computer, I moved my studies to a computer. I made sure that I was keeping up the pace.

Step 4: not really a step, but keep this in mind.
During my studies, I made sure that I had a music break in between studies. This helped me stay in a "happy place" so that when I went and studied again that I was in the zone. For me this happened to be music, but for others this might be to eat candy, read a book, or do jumping jacks. Whatever it is, I found it useful for me to listen to music. The result was that I came back super pumped to answer test questions. I was on an adrenaline high and kicked some butt!

The key is not always to answer so many questions when practicing, but to understand how to answer the questions. Once you master this, you will do well!

Also, for me...I am not a morning person. I scheduled an afternoon sitting the second time, and the results were great for me.

If anyone has any more questions regarding the GMAT or essays, please respond to me on this board! If you're wondering, I ended up at Wharton!

Good luck!

Paul


-------------------------
Alchemy Admissions Advisors
The Pay-for-Performance Admissions Advisors
Contact us for a FREE consultation
http://www.alchemyprep.com
  • Posted: Oct-19
  • 134 of 203

Hi Brent

Q The tepper schools culture relies on all members to be active contributors to community .With your values and experiences and interests how will you make a unique contribution to the tepper community ? your examples may include classroom interaction student activities career development, community service.

Q.How will your classmates benefit from your presence in the Georgetown MBA program

 

Can I use the same content(word for word) for both essays?

 

I am pressed for time.

 

Thanks

Burberry

  • Posted: Oct-19
  • 135 of 203

Hi Brent,
My GMAT score (680 - 48 Quant, 35 Verbal, 5.5 AWA) and undergrad GPA (3.3 from top public college, economics and language major, 3.6 economics only GPA) are not as strong as I'd like. I believe I have compelling work experience (leadership, gained significant responsibility, substantial promotions, quantifiable results, etc.) and strong recommendations (recognizable name who I worked closely with, strong reviews from direct supervisor).

I'm guessing it probably varies from case-to-case, but based on your experience, do you have a sense of how much my GMAT score and GPA will negatively impact my application?

I'm trying to weight the importance of the GMAT to see if it's worth taking time away from my writing my round 2 essays to retake the GMATs.

I'm 27 years old.

Round 1: Harvard, Stanford, Sloan
Round 2: Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Haas, Columbia
I would really appreciate any advice or insight that you have. Thanks!

  • Posted: Oct-27
  • 136 of 203

HOW TO ACE THE INTERVIEW!!!


Many people have asked what should you do to prepare for the interview. Here are a few of my top Do’s and Do Not’s for success!

Do:

1. Confirm the location, dress code and time for the interview. You’d be surprised how this simple task gets botched up! Wearing the wrong clothes, showing up at the wrong time or wrong place will be an easy way to kill the interview.

2. Practice running through your resume in 5~7 minutes. Chances are you’ll have about 30 minutes for the interview. This is not a lot of time, so make sure that you can throw down your pitch in a fast and effective manner. Have a good friend perform a mock interview. If you don’t have someone to practice with, practice in front of a mirror. Pay attention to your eye contact, hand motions, and overall appearance.

3. Be passionate about your experience and why you want to apply to a school. Make sure that it is known that you really want to go that school. Show that you’ve done your homework and can talk intelligently about the programs, students, etc.

4. Turn off your cell phone. Make sure that it doesn’t ring at all. Even the “vibrate” mode is annoying to hear and is a distraction in an interview.

5. Do send a thank you. Everyone likes to be thanked, and your interviewer is a great person to be thanked!


Do Not!

1.Do Not show up late! Punctuality is key here! Showing up late is disrespectful, and can be an immediate ding.

2. Do Not answer your cell phone. If it rings, politely say that you are sorry and turn off your phone. If it is an emergency like your wife is in labor, etc. let the interviewer know by warning him/her in advance. Say something like, “I apologize in advance, but I can’t keep my cell phone turned off because my wife is pregnant….or, my daughter is in the hospital, and I need to keep my phone turned on to monitor if she calls, etc.” This will show respect for the interviewer.

3. Do not lie about your experiences or accomplishments. You’ll be found out, so do the right thing!

4. Don’t ask questions that you can find answers to in a book. Nobody dislikes more than to have someone ask questions that seem to waste their time.  So asking questions like how many students go to a school or what majors are available are not good questions.


Good luck to all of you that have landed interviews, and good luck to all that are still waiting!


Paul


-------------------------
Alchemy Admissions Advisors
The Pay-for-Performance Admissions Advisors
Contact us for a FREE consultation
http://www.alchemyprep.com
  • Posted: Oct-27
  • 137 of 203
Greetings,

I'm a bit torn right now and could use some advice.  Took the GMAT last year and ended up with a 640 with shotty quantitative scores.  I am looking to attend Darden and retook the test Monday in the hopes of increasing my quant score.  I ended up with a 650, awful quant score and 97th percentile verbal.  My profile is below, but should I look to take the test one more time and apply round 2 or is Darden big on round 1 applications?  Do I have any shot regardless?

GMAT 650
Undergrad GPA 3.3
Extracurricular - College athlete - 2-year captain
- Youth lacrosse coach
- Various community service activities
Experience - 5 years of corporate finance (modeling etc.) with increasing responsibility but no formal management title

Thanks so much.
  • Posted: Oct-27
  • 138 of 203
Hi Obrienjb,

Your score of 650 is low to borderline for a school like Darden.

What's your GPA?

Thanks,

Paul

-------------------------
Alchemy Admissions Advisors
The Pay-for-Performance Admissions Advisors
Contact us for a FREE consultation
http://www.alchemyprep.com
  • Posted: Oct-27
  • 139 of 203
Thanks for getting back to me Paul.

My GPA was a 3.3 so nothing to write home about either.  I was banking on my essays and strong work experience but I'm starting to think I'll have to retake the GMATs again.  Do you think I should abandon pursuit of a first-round application and go back to the drawing board? 
  • Posted: Oct-27
  • 140 of 203
Do you have interest in other schools in the 2nd round? I wouldn't necessarily scrap the idea of applying to Darden with a 650. The only way to not get accepted is to not apply. The GMAT is just one component of the application packet. If you can bring it up higher, however, it will definitely help.

Hope that this makes sense and has some value.

Good luck!

Paul

-------------------------
Alchemy Admissions Advisors
The Pay-for-Performance Admissions Advisors
Contact us for a FREE consultation
http://www.alchemyprep.com
  • Posted: Oct-27
  • 141 of 203
I appreciate the help.  I'm just concerned because Darden is my top choice due to personal as well as programmatic reasons.  I'm really wondering if the benefit of first-round application is worth a lower GMAT.
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