Official Score In!

Oh!  Almost forgot: got the official GMAT score in today from GMAC.  It's a 750 (but we knew that already, right?).  The new information: a 6.0 AWA! 

Good stuff!

A Conversation With a Recommendation

Had a great conversation with one of my recommendations.  Spent quite a while going through the various elements of my package with him; we talked about the areas that are my biggest weaknesses (my undergrad GPA), and how to deal with them in the application process.  Also talked about my strengths (my GMAT, Grad GPA, work experience and, most importantly, research experience), and how to emphasize that in the application process.

We went through my list of schools; he encouraged me to expand the list on the high side (apply to more top tier schools; my profile is good enough to land a spot and it'd be terrible to end up at a tier 2 school, not because I wasn't qualified, but because the three top tier schools I applied to just didn't have a spot for me).  I felt that was a positive thing!

Finally, I asked him, formally, if he would provide me with a letter of recommendation, and he said he'd be glad to!  I'm very excited; he's a well respected (and VERY well-known researcher) in the field I want to go into, so I know the LOR will carry quite a bit of weight! 

GMAT; Check!

Took the GMAT this morning.  After countless hours of study, I landed a 750 (Q48, V44).  That places me in the 98th percentile.  I'm happy! 

So, with that done, I can get back to focusing on developing the rest of my application.  Here's my checklist:

• Finish draft of CV
• Write first draft of Statement of Purpose
• Meet with each of my potential references, and get their commitment for a strong reference.

I've also got to do a number of housekeeping things.  That GMAT score might open up a few doors that I was unsure about (in terms of the schools I apply to), so I'm going to revist my list of schools and finalize the list I'll actually apply to.  I also have to complete my master schedule (based on each school's application process/schedule).  I've spent quite a bit of time lately studying for the GMAT (on top of coursework in the MBA program) so I've not committed much time to building my application plan; gotta get back to it.

I also haven't told you: a few weeks ago, the family and I took a trip and visited the campus of one of my top schools.  It's beautiful!  And Shawna loved it.  Which makes me feel good! 

Things are coming together!

The List Grows...And Shrinks

So as I make progress, the list expands.  I've spent quite a bit of time this week researching faculty at the various schools on my list.  I've added a few to the list, and taken a few away; I have 10 on the list now.  I created a spreadsheet that has a number of factors (from "fit" of faculty with my research interests, to quality of the university, amount of the stipend, location, and "wife"--a factor she gets to put in based on her relative desire to land in the various cities).  Each factor has a weight.  I've gone through and assigned a value to each, and based on how the ratings stacked up, I've put together three sets of schools: Set A: top schools that score VERY high on my rating sheet; Set B: still top schools with pretty closely aligned research interests, but which score a little lower on my rating sheet; and Set C: very good schools that aren't exactly dead on with respect to my research interests.  I've also included two Set D schools--or second tier schools--as a sort of backup plan.

I've listed the various faculty I'm targeting at each university, and making a plan to scour their work.  Now I'm working on a master schedule (each one of the schools has a different application process and schedule) and a draft Statement of Purpose. 

Still to do: CV, GMAT (I'll take it this month), contact potential references.

Wife Weighed In

My wife and I talked about my list of schools yesterday.  There are a few on there that she's sincerely hoping don't happen (quality of life in those respective cities).  But I've spent some time this evening going through a few other sites, and I'm thinking the list is going to shift a bit.  I'm also going to put some time into classifying the schools (based on the various factors that play into my relative desire to land at each school). 

More to come...