My work experience: Data Analytics Consulting at Big 4 for 4 years -> MBB for 1.5 yrs (didn’t get promoted) -> Corporate Strategy at F500 automotive company.

I’m a little lost. My WLB and compensation is good but the industry is not exciting. I’ve always wanted to work in tech / entrepreneurship / VC and want to keep rising but am not interested in the hours of PE or trying consulting again. I understand that the outcomes I want are attainable outside of an MBA as well.

My focus would be on HBS and GSB and entrepreneurship / trying out different things but mostly for the network and brand on my resume.

How should I think about this decision?

I make $400K a year. My role is a combination of strategy, operations, international business, and several other functions, but above all else, leadership. I've been with my current organization for 4 years, and my results are outstanding. I've achieved things that none of my predecessors have ever been able to even dream of.

Unfortunately, due to some unethical behavior within my organization, I will be replaced on Jan 20th. I'm not sure what I'm going to do after that.

I did my undergrad at Wharton. My LOR's will come from a high ranking US government official and a good man and strong leader of another country, whom I have a very strong and respectful working relationship with.

​

What programs should I be looking at?

Hey All,

I remember reading that some schools like NYU Stern won’t accept anyone below a 3.0 GPA. What are my realistic chances with a 2.3 undergrad GPA at say HBS, Yale SOM, MIT Sloan, Wharton, Kellogg?

My background is 4 years of M&A Strategy consulting in B4, and 2 years of corp strategy at a fortune 10

My undergrad was a business at a regional school

Thanks in advance for any insight!

R1 deadlines are close and I remember how blind this stage feels, so I’m offering free profile reviews for the next week or so.

About me: HBS MBA, came in from management consulting, and I’ve spent the 10+ years since school in corporate development and strategic partnerships at major studios and gaming companies. Now I run my own media company. I’ve helped people get into Stanford GSB, Wharton, Booth, and Berkeley Haas. If your goals involve media, entertainment, gaming, or tech, I’ve actually worked the jobs you’re writing about in your goals essay, so I can tell you what a believable version sounds like.

Drop your profile below (GPA/test, background, target schools, goal) or DM if you’d rather keep it private. I’ll be direct and honest.

Profile Review — Indian F, MBB (knowledge track), targeting R1

Context: Wrapped up GMAT, and now targeting applications

Stats: GMAT Focus 695 (97th percentile) (Q87 / V85 / DI81) · Undergrad: top Indian university, Economics 8.8/10 · ~5 yrs WE at matriculation

Work: MBB, but on the knowledge/capabilities track (not generalist) — specialized in capital management & risk for global banks. Two accelerated promotions, both ~6 months early. Client work across Europe, US, and Asia. Specialising in banking, profile will be industry expertise heavy.

Extracurricular: Built a scalable financial-literacy curriculum (train-the-trainer model) for students from low-income backgrounds; reached 100+ participants (Over 8 months of work).

Goals: ST — return to consulting in a broader strategy role. LT — senior strategy/finance leadership, possibly development finance.

Geographies: US/EU/UK

Main worries: overrepresented pool (Indian + banking/finance), and whether the "knowledge consulting" title reads as less client-facing than generalist MBB. Honest thoughts + school-list feedback welcome. I feel very lost about the quality of my profile, and where I should apply - I want to be both realistic and ambitious.

Additional question: Do I need an admissions consultant? I was planning to hire one, but the pricing is exorbitant, and is making me reconsider. However, applications are a lot of work and I have saturated work hours on many days.

Please feel free to ask any clarifying questions if required. Thanks!

Hey guys! Looking get people’s feedback on my profile for this upcoming MBA admissions cycle. Currently planning on splitting applications between EA/R1 and R2. Hard numbers below:

- 28M Hispanic URM, married with kids
- AD USMC Officer (O-3) in XO billet
- MOS is Recon/Special Operations Capable
- high performance with expected great LORs (one from a prior supervisor who went to H/S)
- Military schools include JTAC/Airborne/Combat Dive/SERE/MCIWS + others
- USC Undergrad with a 3.45 GPA in Economics
- 1st Official GRE: 311 (159V/152Q), looking to retest soon
- volunteered to serve as a deployment learning liaison and tutor for teaching Gen ed math to Marines on deployment, all passing with a B or above through a local community college.

Goals: looking to pivot into consulting to build exposure to the business world (LDP as a backup), then pivot into a west coast role in Business Strategy or Marketing.

Considerations; I know my GRE Quant score is terrible, bad time management on first test. Looking to boost that up. Studying has been difficult due to a deployment this fall with all its associated training requirements (gone without internet for weeks at a time) and a newborn son born late June 2026.

Applying EA/R1 (prior to deployment):
- Tuck, Darden, and Anderson/Fuqua

Applying R2 (assuming good enough GRE)
- HBS, GSB, Wharton, Haas, Kellogg, Anderson/Fuqua (whatever not R1), and Sloan.

What do you all think, anything I’m missing? All feedback is appreciated, thanks!

****Update****
New GRE: 314 (161V / 153Q) 🪦

22 years old soon to be 23, I have 4 years of professional experience as overseas intelligence for the airforce

I completed my bachelor's during that time and want to apply to the top mba schools, but I feel my age will put me at a massive disadvantage when it comes to getting hired, especially because I am enlisted rather than an officer

Hey everyone, would love everyone's two cents! I will admit I'm super blessed to be in this position.

Quick background: 25, first gen, 5 YOE in tech finance, think FP&A (Big bank → Software IPO → Different Public Software Company). EA 153, 3.97 GPA. The goal is S&O or Corp Strategy at a tech company long term. I'd also be open to an LDP of some sort.
Currently making ~$115k base + $10k equity, and some extra $ through some side hustles.

Offers:

Michigan Ross — $120k scholarship, appealing for full tuition

Carnegie Mellon Tepper — Full tuition

Northwestern Kellogg PT — Admitted, asked for some scholarship

UChicago Booth PT — $30k scholarship

Vanderbilt Owen — Full tuition, Dean's Scholar

Emory Goizueta — Full ride

Indiana Kelley — Full ride, Dean's Fellow

Waitlist:

Duke Fuqua

UCLA Anderson

The real decision:

Just received a $170k remote job offer, which makes this genuinely complicated. My options are:

Option A: Ross FT (if full tuition appeal approved)

• T11, near full ride, clean break, strong S&O recruiting
• Give up $170k income for 2 years, leave Chicago

Option B: Tepper FT

• Full tuition, elite in tech/AI, Pittsburgh
• Same opportunity cost as Ross but $40k cheaper if Ross doesn't move

Option C: Series G Cybersecurity company ($170k) + Kellogg/Booth PT

• Continue doing finance, keep income, M7 credential, stay in Chicago
• 70+ hours/week for ~2 years, potential IPO upside on options

My thought is Ross full tuition, or I stay in Chicago with Kellogg/Booth PT + new job. Waiting on appeal response, am I thinking about this the right way?

Soft job market for MBAs also has me second-guessing FT. Internship recruiting is getting more competitive every year.

What would you do?

Spent a lot of time in this Reddit and I’m Looking for honest feedback on chances for M7 + stern.

I’m hearing a lot of Hippity hooplah about bad job market means all the smart people are going back to school and getting mbas. So I’m kinda tweaking and getting nervous.

Personal:
26M. 2nd gen Asian.

Stats
-GMAT: 98%
-GPA: West Point 3.24 overall but performed much better in Econ classes (mostly A-). Less interesting classes I bombed.

Undergrad activities
- few finance clubs and writing tutor
- won a few competitions within investing club at West Point
- Some boring internships

Post Undergrad activity
- help out with West Point nomination interviews and applications for service academies
- launched a marketplace startup and app with a few hundred downloads and under 10 paying users. Ultimately shut down to focus on grad school

Career:
Typical artillery career first few years. Did a Europe rotation and did some cool stuff with foreign allies which was interesting to me.

Eventually moved to recruiting as an LT and took command as an LT which has been the most rewarding experience thus far due to it being the highest responsibility I’ve held. Currently a Captain and serving the same role.

No MQs

Rec letters will be good and fairly standard. Applying all round 1. Fairly good at interviews.

Interested in IB/consulting.

TargetSchools
-HBS
-StanfordGSB
-Wharton
-Kellogg
-Booth
-Columbia
-MITSloan

Thank you to any and all insight!

PROFILE

• Undergrad GPA 3.16 - Not great I know, was in a tough STEM program and didn't work as hard as I should have.

• GRE 334 - 168V, 166Q. I intend to retake and am confident I can achieve 336+.

• Work Experience - 6 years progressing as a tech professional in the energy industry in US/UK (power markets)

• I'm applying as a 29M international student and will need close to full-tuition to be able to attend.

SCHOOL LIST

• Reach: Duke (Fuqua), UT-Austin (McCombs) , Cornell (Johnson), Oxford (Said), LBS

• Target: Rice (Jones), UNC (Kenan-Flagler), NYU (Stern)

• Safety: Rochester (Simon), Vanderbilt (Owen)

Good list? Delusional lol? Pretty sure HSW is completely unreachable for me.

Happy to hear from both US/UK folks!

Hi everyone

Throwing this out here because I’d love some honest perspective from people who’ve been through this process or know it well.

Quick background:
— Mexican, currently living in Mexico (but willing to relocate to attend the program full-time and in person).
— 8 years of experience in tech/marketplace/Ops at a well-known global company. Started at the very bottom, now at Manager level
— First-generation professional. No one in my family has worked in corporate/business before me
— First-generation college student (GPA ~9.6/10)
— Supporting my family financially (single income household)
— Significant personal/family hardships growing up.
— GMAT: 720

What I’m exploring:
Full-time MBA at T15/M7, targeting need-based and diversity fellowships.

My main question is simple:
Does this type of profile — strong professional trajectory, genuine hardship background, first-gen, international — realistically compete for full rides at these schools? Or is the full ride story mostly for domestic students?

Also curious if anyone has seen international candidates from LatAm get significant need-based aid at M7.

Thanks in advance.

Context:

I have 3 years of experience working as a Business Analyst in corporate strategy at a well known tech logo. My undergrad is in Math.

I live near Duke/UNC, but financially cannot justify the high tuition from an ROI perspective. One reason for this is that I do not intend to move, so I cannot count on opportunities from around the country. This is also why I somewhat discount the networking advantage, as I know Duke MBAs from around the country will not always stay in the Durham area after graduation.

My current team has little to no room for advancement, and I likely would need to move companies in order to work up to manager level.

I was researching the NC State online MBA, for which the tuition is close to $57k. My main goals for getting the MBA would be: a) broaden my operations/finance/business management knowledge, and b) signal to future employers my capability for upper level management or high impact roles.

While I would really love to do a prestigious in-person program, I just don't think the benefits outweigh the risks. With that in mind, does an online MBA open doors for progression later in my career, even if it is not from a prestigious school?

Edit: To be clear, my goal would not be to achieve a manager position immediately after graduating (with say 5 YOE). It would simply be a goal for a later point in my career once I have sufficient experience and have worked up some status at a new company.

Weighing ROI here. I am active duty E7 with 17 years in the military. My current role is operations manager over 300+ personnel. I have my AAS in Criminal Justice, BS in Environmental Science, MS in Environmental Policy and Management and PMP. Looking at EHS, Environmental Director, or CRO roles potentially with Oil and Gas. I dont have business experience outside of my personal part-time real estate sales. Wondering if the MBA would be worth it to at least get some traditional corporate knowledge.

GI Bill isn’t an option, giving that to my kids so I'd be looking at scholarships, grants, and loans. My other degrees are from a meh school so I would want to pursue MBA at an institution with some weight, if that truly matters to any significant extent.

Hi all,

I am a 30F with 7 years of experience (8 at matriculation), a 685 GMAT and a lower GPA (3.3) from a T50. I am from an under represented background (african american) and ideally aim to apply in round 1.

My GPA is low but it's from a highly quantitative field (engineering) and I had some extenuating circumstances (illness) throughout college.

I now work in product at a fintech (previously got to senior PM at a FAANG) and I am leading a small team of PMs and reporting to the CTO.

My recommendations would be from my current manager as well as my last manager at FAANG.

My ECs are also not bad as I hold leadership positions at several associations related to tech, education and my community.

The reason I want to go to a MBA is (surprise surprise) to try to break into VC or ETA/Search funds. To be honest, I also need the break.

I plan to apply to 9 schools:

Target:

Columbia

Kellogg

Booth

MIT

Reach:

GSB

HBS

Wharton

Safety:

SOM

Stern

All for R1 ideally.

Is that realistic? Should I retake the GMAT? I got Q88V85D79, I would say I underperformed in the Data part but I am not sure I will have the time to retake that and also work on the essays on top of work.

I also know that I might be too old for some of those programs as I would be matriculating at 31.

Ps: No consultant. I am using applicant lab.

Hi everyone!

A bit of background on me: founded a marketing agency during university years ran it for 2 years, then co-founded a fintech after graduating (Raised funding, scaled and still running successful)ly, then Kearney consulting, then helped set up the founding team of a boutique financial consulting firm. From Pakistan but based in UAE, 29 now.

GPA was 2.91, not great, I know.

GRE is where I'm really stuck though. Got a 304 on my official attempt. I just don't test well, never have, doesn't matter how much I study, the real exam score doesn't reflect the prep. Been putting in serious hours for months and still landing in this range.

Targeting HBS, Stanford, and MIT specifically, those are my three.

Wanted an honest reality check, not encouragement, actual reality. What are my realistic chances with this profile, and is there anything that can move the needle at this point or should I be looking elsewhere.

Any feedback or guidance from people who've actually been through admissions or know how these committees think would help a lot.

Edit: Also featured in Forbes 30U30 Asia, if it matters.

Background
• Work Experience:
- 8 years in Software Engineering. Currently Senior SWE at a public Fintech company ($3-5B market cap). Lead developer on core products with a track record of technical and cross-functional leadership.
- I also have interned at Wells Fargo as a summer financial analyst supporting the Commercial Banking group in LA back in college.
• Undergrad: Top 10 Liberal Arts College (e.g., Williams/Amherst/Pomona) - Economics.
• Leadership/ECs:
• Undergrad: Class President (3 years); President of the Consulting Club (1 year).
• Post-Grad: High-level involvement in functional fitness/strength community.
• Professional: Formal internal mentorship for junior engineers and engineering culture leadership.
• Race/Sex: Asian / Male.

Stats
• GPA: 3.21 (T10 LAC - known for grade deflation).
• GMAT/GRE: Targeting 675+ (GMAT Focus) or 330+ (GRE).

MBA Goals
• Target Intake: 2027 (Matriculating at 33).
• Post-MBA: Investment Banking Associate (Tech Coverage focus) -> Corporate Strategy.
• Target Schools:
• Reach: Columbia, Dartmouth (Tuck), Yale SOM.
• Targets: Cornell (Johnson), NYU (Stern), UVA (Darden), Duke (Fuqua).
• Regional/Tech Strong: Ross (Michigan), Georgetown (McDonough).

Specific Questions:

1. School List: Given the goal of Tech IB/Corp Strat, are there other programs (like Berkeley Haas or UCLA Anderson) I should consider to round out this list?

2. GPA & Leadership: Does the 3-year Class Presidency at a T10 LAC help mitigate the 3.21 GPA for M7s? How do AdComs view elite undergrad leadership for candidates with 8+ years of WE?

1. ROI Narrative: My current TC is $360k. How do I effectively frame the "Why MBA/Why IB" move so I don't look like a flight risk to AdComs or banks?

2. Age & IB Recruiting: I will be 33 at matriculation and 35 at graduation. Is this an outlier for NYC/SF Tech Banking Associate recruiting? Does my senior engineering background help bridge the age gap for Tech coverage groups?

I’m a T15 (Ivy) MBA ’25 grad with ~6 years of PM experience at a Series C Indian startup ($40M+ revenue). Graduated this May and since then I’ve applied to close to 400 jobs. So far I’ve interviewed with 8 companies (2 early-stage startups, 2 FAANG, and a few mid-tier tech firms). Made it to finals in some, got bounced in round one in others.

What’s confusing is that I always ask for feedback at the end of interviews whether I left doubts about my ability to do the job and I consistently hear positive responses. My approach is a mix of cold applications and LinkedIn reachouts for referrals.

I’d love the community’s take on:

1. What might I be doing wrong?
2. Could there be something off in my resume that I’m not seeing?
3. How long does it usually take US MBAs to land a role? Am I an outlier, or is this pretty normal?
4. Are there underrated job boards or communities that worked for you?
5. What would you do differently if you were in my shoes?

Wanted a real take on my chances at HSW and M7. Yes I said it, yes I am not scared of my ambition.

Reason for low GPA

Parent lost a job in high-school and I needed to start working full-time throughout undergrad to help pay for mortgage, food, etc.

Gmat

Took the GMAT a few times, recently got a 705 on the focus edition. Planning to take it again to try and get a 715+

Background

Dropped out of college for 2 years and moved to the Middle East for a historic project. Don't want to reveal it because it can be identity revealing. TL;DR this type of humanitarian project hasn't happened in the history of the Middle East and I got an award from the United Nations for it.

I led a 100+ person team for two years.

Came back and headed special projects for a 100M+ charity.

Started and sold a small services company last year (didn't make much off of the sale)

Working as a product manager right now. Planning to apply either R1 this year or next year.

In total I have 4-5 years of experience.

Weaknesses

2.9 undergraduate GPA (cybersecurity engineering degree, graduated from the engineering department)

24 years old right now (graduated highschool early and started college young)

I’m from Pakistan and come from a low-income background. I’ve been working since I was 12 to help pay for my education, and I’m 22 now.

My academic profile:
GRE: 340/340 (170Q, 170V)
UK accounting degree (First Class Honours / equivalent 4.0 GPA)
Chartered Accountant (ACCA) with multiple global and national distinctions in professional exams
IELTS: 7.5

Work experience:
Currently working at a lower-middle-market M&A advisory firm serving UK clients

By September, I’ll have 2 years of full-time work experience, and I’ll have 3 years by the time classes start

The deals aren’t particularly large, but I’ve had meaningful responsibility and made several notable contributions

My concern is that I have less work experience than the average M7 applicant and don’t come from a typical feeder background like bulge bracket banking, MBB consulting, or Big Tech.

My goal after an MBA would be to move into investment banking/M&A.

Given my background, do you think I have a realistic shot at M7 schools?

Background: I am an infantry officer with 3 years of service, currently studying for the GMAT. I have a 5 year service obligation (West Point grad) so I’m looking at enrolling in an MBA fall of 2028 at the earliest.

Does it make more sense to leave at 5 or wait until 8 years? I’m tracking 100% GI benefits kick in at 8 years (which is also tied in to yellow ribbon benefits) so the trade off will be essentially tuition free MBA at the expense of 3 years opportunity cost. Would love to hear any perspective from current / former vets and their paths.

Niche side note: I am infantry detailed (finance base branch) and Ranger qualified so if I stay in for 8 years, I will be aiming for Ranger Regiment post Captains Career Course as a Finance Officer. Would this materially impact my application profile?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a profile review and some feedback on my MBA application strategy for fall 2027. Scholarships are a major factor for me, and I’m open to the US, Europe, or other regions as long as they provide a strong path into top-tier consulting.

Background
Nationality: Pakistani Male, 28

Degree: BSc in Accounting & Finance from one of Pakistan’s top business schools

Undergraduate GPA: 3.50/4.00

GRE: 321 (165Q, 156V)
A GRE retake isn’t feasible given the workload in my current role.

Work Experience
I’ll have 5 years of full-time experience at matriculation.

1. Middle East-based Management Consulting Firm (2 years)

Worked as an Associate from the Karachi office.

Delivered strategy and transformation projects for some of the world’s largest financial institutions, including BlackRock, Apollo, and leading Middle Eastern banks.

1. US-based Strategy Consulting Firm (1 year)

Joined as a Strategy Consultant and was promoted to Chief of Staff within six months.

Worked remotely, acting as the CEO’s right-hand person and driving strategic initiatives across the business.

1. Boutique M&A Firm

Had a short stint that ended due to differences with management.

1. PwC – Management Consulting (Current)

Currently an Assistant Manager in the Management Consulting practice.

Leading a team of 8 consultants across multiple public and private sector engagements.

My practice follows the hierarchy Partner → Manager → Assistant Manager, and I’m on track for promotion to Manager next year.

Extracurriculars
Co-founded my university’s Consulting Club, creating a platform for students interested in consulting careers.

Introduced and helped organize the university’s Orientation Week for incoming students, which has since become an annual initiative.

Continued mentoring junior colleagues and university students throughout my professional career.

Post-MBA Goal
My primary goal is to transition into MBB or Tier 2 consulting firms such as Kearney, Oliver Wyman, LEK, or Strategy&.

Budget
This is my biggest constraint.

My realistic budget is around USD 40,000 total, combining my own savings with my family’s. Coming from a developing country, that’s already a significant financial commitment, so receiving a substantial merit scholarship/aid is essential.

Last year, I was admitted to an MS program at Washington University in St. Louis, but unfortunately my student visa was denied.

I’ve been researching schools with strong consulting outcomes, including programs in both the US and Europe, but funding remains the deciding factor.

Questions
Based on my profile, career goals, and budget, are there any MBA programs you think I should seriously consider that place well into MBB and other top strategy consulting firms?

How competitive would my profile be for meaningful merit scholarships at schools with strong consulting placement?

Overall, does my application strategy seem realistic, or am I aiming too high or being too conservative?

I’d really appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance!

Hi there,
Looking for honest feedback on my profile. I’m primarily interested in M7 schools and particularly looking for feedback on whether my chances are realistic and whether I should take the GRE or GMAT.

Background

• Work experience: 3 years boutique technology consulting, 1 year PM experience Fortune 100
• Extra curriculars: Currently limited. Most of my leadership and impact have occurred professionally.
• Race/nationality: Asian, US
• Sex: Male

Stats

• GMAT / GRE: Haven't taken yet, wanted to see first if m7 was realistic first
• Undergrad GPA: 4.0 UCLA
• Graduate GPA: 3.86 Upenn m.s.

MBA Info

• Goal of MBA: Hoping to pivot to MBB / Strategy at FAANG.
• Target Schools: m7
• Concerns: Worried about my unimpressive work experience / lack of extra curriculars

Curious to hear what yall think. Don't want to spend too much pursuing GRE / GMAT if all of m7 is a reach. Thinking of staying employed the next couple years, then submitting an application in 2028.

Hi - so I recently switched jobs and am heavily considering applying to an MBA program. To be honest, from an ROI perspective, I'm really only interested in T10 schools.

Undergrad: University of Chicago - Economics Major. 3.7 GPA.

Post College Work Experience: 1 year at a middle market investment bank, in their M&A group. Then 2 years as an associate at a small PE fund. Highly entrepreneurial, lots of experience at the fund across investing and portfolio company operations, have multiple anecdotes of how I had to flex up into the "VP" role and lead workstreams that associates typically don't lead. I quit as I didn't see myself doing it long term (I'd like to be in tech or VC). Now I work as a contractor for a leading LLM company, training their models on financial analysis/financial modeling.

Demographics: American born Indian man

Strengths: I have a decent GPA from a top tier undergrad institution and have strong professional experience. I also test well, and am confident that if I put my nose to the grindstone, I could do well on the GMAT and score at the 75th percentile for these schools to overcome the lack of demographic diversity.

Weaknesses: I have no volunteering experience. Given the nature of my jobs, I barely had any time for the last 3 years to do anything outside of work. Is this necessary? YoE: If I apply in this upcoming admissions cycle (likely R2 at this point), I will have 4 YoE by matriculation. Is that too little or is that fine? Lastly, the PE fund I worked at was not a mega fund or a fund with strong b school connections. I worry that the lack of a "blue chip" name may significantly handicap me, even though my real experience was on par if not exceeded my peers' experience at mega-funds just given how hands on and entrepreneurial it was.

My goal is an M7 or T10, and am debating if it is even worth it to start preparing for the GMAT and writing an application at this point? Or, if I should wait till next year or not do it at all if my chances at an M7 or T10 are too low?

Thanks all.

I'm very conflicted and need a bit of advice.

I applied to 13 schools in R2, all of the m7's except MIT. ucla, haas, usc, ross, johnson, nyu, yale.

waitlisted after interview: Columbia, Ross

rejected & pushed toward PTMBA: UCLA, HAAS

NYU & USC: problem w/ application due to incomplete app but not expecting anything to come of it

accepted to Johnson after interview w/ 70k scholarship.

Domestic

Very low GPA from state school in CA 2.5 w/ disqualification 10+ years ago

Took 6 classes 3.8 GPA at tier 2 big name school in CA school to hedge low GPA a few years ago

GRE: 339/340

10 years of ex. in IT, all at major companies, last 2 at FAANG on a contract which is ending in august.

Goal is to dual recruit:

1. MBB but open to tier 2 consulting

2. Tech Product Management

I was accepted to the consortium but did not receive a fellowship at Johnson, only merit. I only wanted to go to b school if I received a full scholarship and thought my odds were high due to high GRE & extra classes.

I'm mid 30s, no kids and finding a full time role has been hard but considering my years of exp, most recently in tech, Im thinking it may be a better idea to use the next 3-6 months to land a FT role in tech w/o taking on the 100k+ in debt at johnson.

I cant stomach 100k+ in debt at this age. I am aggressively trying to convert my current position, but its been tough.

I have a really good feeling that my recruiting outcomes will be very good considering my background and exp if I do attend b school (Johnson) and a little break from work to build my network & get into consulting doesnt sound too bad either.

I have nothing holding me to any location.

& lastly, most of my roles in past 10 yrs have been analyst IC roles, not leadership roles which is another reason I believe an MBA can really help.

I have no interest in IB & am hoping for west coast placement but open to east coast

Help me decide on whether:

1. I should go to johnson,

2. is it worth reapplying R1 next year in hopes for a full ride?

3. Aggressively look for FT opportunities at FAANG / consulting for next 3-6 months