An interesting “feature” of the GMAT exam is that before the test, you are asked which schools you intend to apply to, so that you can electronically submit your test results.  After taking the exam, you are given three choices:

1. Submit the results to your school(s) of choice immediately after the test session, but before you know the results (free)
2. Don’t specify where you will be applying up front, find out your test results, then submit  to the school(s) of choice (additional $ per school submission)
3. Cancel the test (no one finds out the results, results purged from record, waste $250 and 4 hours of your time)

I’ve never been one to second-guess myself, so for both sittings I chose the free option and submitted my test results.

Each of the four schools took a different approach to my submission:

• Wharton – Placed my email on distribution list.  First email contact?  Information about their Executive Masters in Technology Management program (offered through Wharton).  Ummm, thanks I guess. Seems like a passive-aggressive way to say “Not likely to get in to EMBA program.”
• NYU, Columbia –  No contact.  Pretty good sign when in the internet era, a school doesn’t even email you the most basic of information.
• Duke - Imagine my surprise when I received an email from an actual person in the admissions office…

Jennifer from the Fuqua admissions office thanked me for my GMAT submission, and requested that I send my college transcripts and professional resume. Given the time and effort the application process requires, the admissions office “pre-screens” potential applicants to give them honest feedback of their situation before they apply.

Very cool.  It was at this point I realized, I might actually have a shot at getting in…

Related Posts:

• …And then there were two
• Where to apply
• Ask a Fuqua Student
• The dreaded GMAT, part 2
• The dreaded GMAT, part 1