Denied...

...Says who? Columbia. Was hoping for atleast an interview invite.

I did a post-ding review of my application. Could see two potential problems

(1) Not much school specific detail packed in my essay 1 (Don't know how I missed something this basic :-( )
(2) My answer to 'What are you most passionate about in life ?' feels a little immature when I read it now.

Theory of Inflated Expectations*

When you start out on the application process, you are quite motivated but realistic at the same time. You acknowledge the vagaries of the process, the uncertainty of get admitted etc.

Then, you start on your essays and realize you have nothing to write about. You never saved the world, nor did your boss heap you with three promotions in two years. Reality is further reinforced.

You struggle for weeks and finally you have something that has a slight semblance of a convincing story. Finally, you kinda figure out the game. Now you are on a flow. Applying is no more as painful and you quickly end up sending applications to 3-4 schools. You are moderately hopeful and and develop a little confidence in yourself. Still, you are firmly grounded in reality. You acknowledge the possibility of rough jolts ahead and are mentally prepared for the worst. You start forming backup plans in your mind to ease the blow should the worst happen.

Then you get invited for an interview. Immediately, reality is thrown out the window. You feel special although a good 60% of the applicants received the same. This invite is like the first mini-success in the whole 3/4 months application period and as a result you ascribe more significance than you rationally should. Your friends are in awe. "Friends" you haven't spoken to in years call unannounced! People start asking for advice, application strategies, websites/books to refer etc. Parents are happy. You are THE STAR.

An 'inflated expectation' of you to deliver has set in - both from yourself and from others.

Now, you want that 'bschool admit' real bad. A failure from this point on will happen in a very wide public view. A lot of people are now aware that you've made some strides. You've climbed a little too high that 'the fall' is gonna hurt. And real bad at that.

* - This theory is applicable only in certain social circles.

Waitlisted at NYU

Although, I'm a little upset, I pretty much expected this. NYU appears to have been waitlisting hordes of R1 applicants and my essays to NYU were mediocre(being my first bschool application and all). It'll be interesting now to see what Columbia will decide on my application. Columbia essays, in my view, were pretty much same level as Chicago.

NYU encourages waitlisted applicants to send supplemental materials to strengthen their case. And given the high number of waitlisted applicants, I can't imagine how they handle the immense volume of letters they'll be receiving almost everyday. So, whatever I decide to send has to be quite impacting. An average "I so love NYU.." letter will not cut it. Will think about it after finishing my Chicago interview which I've scheduled for Monday.

Chicago Invite!

Finally, after weeks of restless waiting, some news in the right direction - Invited to interview at UChicago!! This lifts a huge stress off me. I was beginning to doubt the strength of my candidacy as the deadline for receiving invites neared.

However, New York continues to remain as silent as ever. It's been ages since both my NYU & Columbia applications went complete. Still no word. I hope I receive as pleasant a surprise from the two schools as I received with Chicago. Fingers crossed.

I re-read my application essays to all the three schools today. I could see a marked difference between my Chicago essays and the rest. (Chicago was my last application and hence it is obviously expected to be better than the previous ones. But the difference I'm talking about here is more significant than just a result of the natural learning curve in any process). Or, it's just me trying to justify the Chicago invite. Any psychology majors out there?!

I'll be able to lend more insight into this once I know the other schools' decisions.