App Waivers

It's been months since I took the GMAT and my email inbox is already getting filled with emails from US business schools. Most of these aren't top schools but I get some pretty good ones from time to time. I guess that 690 wasn't so bad after all.

There's the Penn State Smeal MBA, the University of San Diego MBA, the California State U - Fullerton MBA and even the Texas Christian University's Neeley MBA. I even got an email from the UK's Cambridge saying that "we like your profile." From the deluge of emails I've received, I've found out that there are schools that offer app waivers especially to international students (and would probably offer generous scholarships as well!). What made me especially happy the other day was that one of the top 25 schools -- Notre Dame -- offered me an app waiver too!

Yes, that's $175 stricken off my pre-MBA expenses. App waivers are a big deal especially since the usual app fee for a highly-ranked school is more than $200 and I'm an applicant from a developing (read: third-world) country. $175 is such a great deal to me! (It's like taking the TOEFL for free. By the way, the TOEFL raised its fee to $185 from $175, did you know?)

Anyway, I'm applying to Notre Dame. I have been strongly considering it due to its brand, network, reputation and quality, but since I have 5 other schools in my list, I've been wavering in my decision. That day I finally decided to apply -- regardless of how much more it would cost me -- was the day I received the good news in my inbox. So, anyway, I hope you guys do good in your GMAT exams and receive those great offers too!