Never Settle

Not getting into your dream school?  Is it time to settle for your backup choice?

It’s rather cliché to hear that you should “never settle.”  Sounds good in a TV commercial or internet advertisement, but is it really practical in real life?  When it comes to going back for your MBA, what do you do when the offers just aren’t coming in?

Settling for your backup choice doesn’t have to be a compromise. 

The reality of MBA programs is that if they are accredited, your education will be solid and complete no matter where you go.  What you must evaluate is your post MBA plan.  Will your backup choice still allow you to get the job you are targeting?  Is the job you are targeting realistic?  It’s not really compromising on your dream if your dream was not realistic in the first place.  Getting rejected from your target schools might mean you were aiming too high in the first place.  If you recalibrate your vision, you will find that a backup plan might actually be a better path forward for you.

What if you just can’t take no for an answer?

Sometimes you just don’t want to give up on your plan and MBA types in general are driven, focused, all-in people.  So, it’s not surprising to hear MBA applicants each cycle who don’t want to take the plan B.  If this is you, your backup plan might simply be to re-apply next year.  Taking an extra year can sometimes help you fill in the shortcomings in your profile and achievements so you can get into your original school anyway, just a little later.  Be sure if you fall into this “no compromise” category, that you are prepared to put the effort into boosting your profile.  The extra year without any profile enhancement will not put you any closer to your dream. 

For information on how we can guide your business school application process, email us at mba@amerasiaconsulting.com or go to http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/contact