Admission to Graduate School of Business
After returning from Vietnam, my desire for a master’s degree in business administration began to take shape. Living in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the time, I decided to take a chance and applied to Western Michigan University. However, I wasn’t surprised when the rejection letter arrived, citing my low undergraduate grades as the reason.
Several years later, I decided to give it another shot and aimed for Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This time, I was determined to find a way in, even though I expected another rejection. Little did I know that fate had an interesting twist in store.
Between the time of my application submission and the forthcoming rejection, a new dean had taken the helm of the graduate business school. This dean was not your typical academic; he had recently retired from the FBI and was known for being a friendly and approachable guy. I seized the opportunity and scheduled an appointment to discuss the rejection.
On the day of the appointment, I walked into his office, and there he sat behind his imposing desk. We both knew the purpose of our meeting but exchanged pleasantries as we waited for one of us to break the ice. After a moment, he asked, “How can I help you?” I calmly replied that I was there to inquire about the reasons for my rejection, although I already knew the answer.
With an unchanged expression, he explained that my grades fell below the minimum standards for admission. I decided to push the envelope and asked if there were any students who had been admitted despite not meeting these standards. To my astonishment, he admitted that there were, and I could sense an opening.
Curious, I inquired about the conditions under which these students had been admitted, prompting him to mention a few minority groups. It was then that I saw my opportunity. I asked him explicitly, “Students who are in a minority?” He hesitated but confirmed it. That’s when I made my move, declaring, “That makes me in a minority.”
The dean’s face showed surprise, but he leaned forward with anticipation, asking about my specific minority group. I answered with a question of my own, “How many students do you know who have a grade point average as low as mine, trying to get into your graduate school?” His response was simple, “None.”
I seized the moment and confidently declared, “That makes me in a minority.”
The dean leaned back in his chair, studying me for a moment before finally saying, “Get me some letters of recommendation, and I’ll think about it.”
With that unexpected turn of events, the windmills of my mind had not only turned but had also opened a door to my dream of pursuing a master’s in business administration. It was a lesson in creative problem-solving, persistence, and the power of seizing the opportunities life presents, even in the most unlikely moments.
The interview had left me with a sense of hope and anticipation that I had not felt before. It was clear to me that the dean truly wanted me in the graduate business program at Eastern Michigan University. He had seen something in me, something beyond the grades on paper, and he was willing to give me a second chance.
All he needed now was the foundation to justify his decision, and that foundation was to be built upon the letters of recommendation. Over the next couple of weeks, I stayed in touch with his secretarial staff, eagerly awaiting news about the status of my letters. The information I received was promising; most of my recommendations had been received by the department. It was time to follow up and get the dean’s final decision.
As I arrived for the second interview, a mix of anxiety and hope filled the air. I was in good spirits, but I couldn’t shake the uncertainty that came with waiting for a life-changing verdict. The dean welcomed me into his office, and just as he had done before, he sat behind his desk with his poker face firmly in place. We exchanged pleasantries, but this time, I sensed something different. He wasn’t going to initiate the conversation, and my anticipation grew.
After several seconds of silence that seemed to stretch into an eternity, I decided to break it. “So, what do you think?” I asked, my voice betraying a hint of anxiety. The dean, in his own dramatic fashion, paused for what felt like an unnecessary amount of time, perhaps to heighten the suspense. Then, with a hint of a smile, he finally responded, “I think you’re a graduate student.”
I could hardly believe my ears. I maintained my poker face for about three seconds, ensuring that I had heard him correctly. The weight of his words sank in, and I couldn’t contain my elation any longer. A grin spread across my face as I realized that my dream of becoming a graduate student had come true.
Before I allowed myself to get carried away with excitement, I needed to be sure of any probationary terms that might come with this second chance. So, I asked him directly, “Do I have any restrictions, probation, or special requirements?” His response was nothing short of relief and a confirmation of my achievement: “No restrictions, no probation, you are a full-fledged graduate student.”
This was a moment of personal triumph, a testament to my belief in self, and the resourcefulness I had displayed in overcoming obstacles. It reinforced the idea that opportunities can be found even in the face of adversity and that taking responsibility for one’s situation can lead to remarkable outcomes. My journey as a graduate student had officially begun, and I was prepared to embrace it wholeheartedly.