The Right Coast vs. the Left Coast

calicartel
Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:43:25 +0000

OP has pretty solid options. IMO, there doesn’t seem to be too much of a difference between UVA and some of the other east coast schools listed (with the possible exception of UPENN). If he gets into Stanford, then he should definitely go.

I have a buddy at HBS who is in the same section as the (in)famous PA to President Bush who got in without an undergrad. For what it’s worth, I hear he’s extremely sharp (makes sense – you gotta be if you want to be the PA to the President, I don’t care what your political leanings are) and definitely contributes a lot to the class discussions. Rarely ever talks about politics and in those rare occasions that he does, it’s more of an offhanded remark or a slip-up.

With regards to your military experience, it’ll be decent fodder for perhaps an MBA admissions essay or two but what the top programs are looking for are post-bachelor’s work experience. And as an aside, if by “elite, non-deployable unit that serves as the official escort to the president and the anti-terrorist unit responsible for the capital city” you’re referring to 3d Infantry Regiment, it is basically an infantry regiment with additional (albeit pretty cool) ceremonial duties. Either way, b-schools tend to look favorably upon military service because of the leadership opportunities inherent in it.

Good luck.