Deadlines are Weeks Away, Acceptance Rates are Low…But Now is Not the Time to Freak-Out!

A current client sent me this email the other night after a back-and-forth about his GPA and GMAT quant score. Both were fine, but I get it—I’ve been there. A few years ago, I struggled to pull together my own applications while working 80+ hours per week and still trying to have a life. Now, as a consultant, I’ve helped many clients through similar freak-outs. It’s normal. If you’re facing one now, rest assured: you’ll get through it.

Here’s a quick post to help you re-frame things when panic starts creeping in as deadlines approach.

I work with many talented quant nerds each year (I say that lovingly because I’m one too). Inevitably, several ask me, “What are my chances of getting into my dream school?” I wish it were as simple as updating a DCF model and getting a clear output.

In reality, your chances depend on how you leverage your story and experiences, and on factors you can’t control, like the overall strength of the applicant pool. Instead of obsessing over your “chances,” focus on what you can control. Send your consultant updated drafts and invest in writing killer essays. That’s where your time truly matters.

With full time commitments (work, partners, kickball leagues,catching pokemons etc…) this one is easier said than done. If you want to nail your applications though, you need to find a way to establish a consistent schedule and stick to it. At the beginning of the process, most applicants that I work with typically spend 2-5 hours per week: a nice, leisurely pace of working on their resumes and waiting on the schools to release their essay prompts. By now though, you should be spending 10+ hours per week. Your best bet is to bucket this into two nights during the week, and then a longer block on the weekend. Choose your sports analogy, but at the end of the day you want to make sure that you can say you’ve doneeverythingyou can to get into the school of your dreams.

When you are not editing your essays, harassing your recommenders, crushing your online calculus classes, or doing whatever else is left in your application, it’s absolutely crucial to find time for yourself. The easiest way to do this is to build “you time” into your application schedule. If trivia with your buddies on Monday nights is your thing, keep doing it. If there is a killer bar instructor at your gym on Saturday mornings, make the class. Do whatever you need to do to keep your head clear. This will not only keep your sanity in check, but it will make you more productive during your work periods.

Keep some perspective -You have crushed life so far, and nothing can stop you from here on out. You have succeeded in your career, have had amazing experiences, and have the personality and intelligence to succeed no matter what happens over the next few years. Which business school you attend doesn’t define you, the strength of your character and perseverance does. And that is something that no admissions committee can define for you.

If all else fails and you are still freaking out and convinced that the end is near, please consult the following.

 

If that doesn’t calm you do, we don’t know what will! 🙂 As always, please ping us with any questions, but mainly – get back to work!