Discussion with Robbie Walker of Accepted

Discussion with Robbie Walker of Accepted

I had subscribed for Accepted.com's MBA Telethon, a 15 min free consultation with one of the editors of Accepted. But on the day of Telethon (5/13/2008), I could not get the line and had to leave a voice message. Now I feel lucky that I did not get the line. I got a good 45 min discussion with Robbie Walker on 5/17.
Here is the summary of our discussion. She had already gone through my resume, summary information and my concerns. She first let me ask any question I have. I start with the usual question of an MBA applicant – What are the best schools for me to apply given my profile and reduce the chances of ding. The Robbie recommended are:

1. Ross: I knew she would recommend Ross. Ross is old Indian applicant friendly with a good general management program.
2. Kelley (Safety): I did not expect Indiana. Robbie said that Kelley is a top 5 in Entrepreneurship.
3. Tuck: Tuck was in my radar even in my last application season. I could not apply due to lack of time. Heard a good info that Tuck is also old applicant friendly
4. Marshal: USC has come into my radar recently. They also have a 1 year program. The school is taking lots of new initiatives – a characteristic of a good leader.
5. Haas: She also asked me to re-apply to Haas as they have a good social impact program.
6. Wharton: Robbie check with me if I will be interested in re-applying to Wharton. I said yes. She asked me to request a feedback from Wharton. I have did that already, but got the news on Monday that I have been not selected for feedback.
7. UCLA: UCLA has a good entrepreneurship program
8. Kellogg: For a good general management focus and older applicant friendly.
9. U Chicago: Robbie is from UC and knew about the school well. I always considered it as a finance school and never gave a serious look at the school. As per Robbie, though Chicago is a quant school, it loves non-traditional careers.
10. Darden: She mentioned to have Darden on my safety list. Man! I would love to go to Darden. It would not be a safety school for me.
11. UNC: Robbie asked me to included Kenan-Flagler in the list of safety school. UNC is again a school I would like to attend
12. Yale, McCombs, Oxford and Cambridge: I brought in the discussion of Yale for its good non-profit program. U Texas at Austin for good entrepreneurship program and as a safety school. Oxford and Cambridge for its 1 year general management program. Robbie was quick to reply that she does not know much about Oxford or Cambridge and someone else from Accepted is a specialist with European programs.

Then we discussed about strategies to increase admission chances. Robbie asked me to apply to 6 to 8 schools with a wide range in ranks for mitigating risk.

Finally we also talked about Accepted.com ‘s services and how they work. I was very happy with a 45 min free consultation with Accepted.com

In the coming days I have to do more research in the above schools and choose a right ones and apply at the right time.