Before you send in your MBA applications it is generally accepted that you’ll know something about the schools you’re applying to. You do the research, visit the campus and create criteria for yourself on what is best suited for you and your future. Then you send the applications off and there’s that stomach wrenching moment where you say to yourself “what happens if I don’t get in anywhere?”
Just to be clear: MBA applications are not like these glasses (source)
A lot of interviewers will inevitably ask you what you plan to do if you don’t get in and for me this was one of the toughest questions because, to be frank, I didn't even want to think about it. I had already quit my job and was already on my trip (my Anderson interview was with an alumni Lima) and I had basically told myself that I would kind of figure things out as I went along if I didn’t get in anywhere.
It’s a strange feeling that inherently the probabilities of you getting in to your top choices are quite low (going by acceptance rates although I realize that this does not take into account personal attributes) yet in your mind you can already see yourself in the program, at least that’s how I felt. In my head, I couldn’t fail yet I knew that in all likelihood I’d be looking for something else soon.
At my IBD desk one year ago - hiding my Anderson draft essay with an LBO model
Funnily enough, almost a year later, I’m thinking exactly the same thing, although this time the odds are stacked in my favour. I’m about to embark on my MBA journey where so many opportunities will open themselves up to me and this time I know for sure that it’s all going to work out.
-Chris Varin, 14'
