docstudent

Let the dean plead your case...it will come off a lot better. In the documents you compose, you should just be positive and explain how much you've grown and have been prepared for your future studies, but have a well thought-out statement prepared for when they ask you about the situation later. Best regards.

I'd say don't waste your money and time applying to more programs...you're bound to get into at least one of the nine you're already applying to, and mediocre "safety" schools (aka diploma mills) won't take you anywhere worthwhile anyway. If you don't get into a decent program, either take a year to retool or change your career plans. Best regards.

This question might be best suited for the Applied Sciences & Mathematics group or the Computer Science subforum, as it is quite program-specific. Best regards.

First, a few thoughts about this program: [cons] admissions don't seem very competitive (no GMAT/GRE required), tuition and living in NY is expensive, only 12/54 credits of the degree are within the business school; [pros] close proximity to several major music companies, strong emphasis on music, good overall university. Regarding more info, their site says "Please call the Music and Performing Arts office at 212-998-5424 to schedule a phone or in-office appointment with one of our faculty advisors. You can also email musicbusiness.gradinfo@nyu.edu to ask about contacting a current student or alum, based on availability." You need to find out where their alumni have gotten jobs, talk to some of them and see if they think the degree helped them or if they would have gone a different direction, and talk with the current students listed on their website. Ideally, identify a few companies you'd like to work for someday and find out what they look for in their hires: MA Music Business? MBA? MA Music? MS Comp Sci? etc. In summary, spending a week or two to really investigate your options and determine what you really want and how you can achieve it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Best wishes!

Maybe you just had a bad day and need to take it again sooner than later. If you want to study more, I think 800score.com is a great help: comprehensive lessons and several practice tests accompanied by an instantaneous score and feedback on the sections you need to focus on...plus, the price is right ($40). Good luck!

Just like with any other question on an application, I feel that if someone asks, then you should answer truthfully. In my experience, those who didn't ask me this question on the application asked me in a phone/campus interview anyway, and answering the question on the application (i.e., listing all eight schools I applied to) didn't seem to negatively impact my offers. If you're worried that a school might think you're overqualified for their institution in comparison to the other schools you applied to then don't worry...they're probably right, and you'll get an offer from the better schools. With respect to "playing the game" and ensuring that you get the best possible financial package, most schools can't vary their packages much between students, if at all. You should choose the school that is the best fit for you and your future goals...a difference of a few thousand dollars shouldn't sway your decision, and if admissions thinks you're just after money, then you'll leave a bad impression.

[nabh's questions above should really be on a different thread] Regarding frankdux's questions, I think everyone else has pretty well hammered them out, but all I would add is that if you can make a "warm contact" versus a cold one (e.g., via introduction from another professor, or at least referencing some common acquaintance you share), that would make the situation less awkward and increase you chances of a genuine and positive response.

Only you can determine whether the grade was a disciplinary reaction to your misbehavior or an unfair punishment for something you were only tangentially involved in (in which case I wouldn't mention it)...trust your conscience and don't betray it. If the grade was a result of your indiscretion, again, I would explain how you've learned and grown from it, but I wouldn't pin the blame on some "hooligan" professor (referring to Ferraro's comments)--that's a treacherous topic I wouldn't bring up in an application, true or not.

I don't think this question would apply to your circumstance. Besides, you've already been "punished" with an F (which does show on your transcript); but even though you fixed the grade for your GPA's sake, be prepared to explain the situation and how you've reacted to it in a way that has made you better today. A good acronym to follow is PAR (explain the past Problem, the Action you took thereafter, and the positive Result that has been realized; I've also hear of STAR and CAR, all similar).

From the wording of your question, I understand that you would like some specific ideas rather than vague ones. Here's one paragraph from my SOP where I was able to discuss some substantial volunteer work I performed that I felt differentiated me from other applicants, tying it into my field and showing how it helped prepare me for a Ph.D. program: "In the past several years, I have participated in valuable teaching experiences that have given me a rare perspective on personally dealing with leadership, organizational dynamics, and change. In [year], I left schooling... and volunteered for.... Assigned to work in [location] speaking Spanish and Portuguese, I was privileged to associate with people from every Central and South American country, as well as others from parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. I was fascinated by the idiosyncratic learning styles of each culture and adapted my teaching style accordingly. During my time there, I taught thousands of people in both small and large gatherings, supervised the efforts of [#] other volunteers, and lectured on conflict resolution, motivation theory, and principle-based decision making. I became a proficient teacher and gained experience that I believe will be valuable in developing future research questions."

I don't think a U.S. degree is the answer, and I think the LSE degree would still have substantial clout here in the states. Regarding the job situation, have you considered starting a job with an international firm in the UK and then transferring to one of its U.S. offices?

Regarding your original question, I think you should be transparent with both schools. It's a very small academic world and you don't want to make enemies. It might be too late for this, but you'll know what the right thing is you should do.

I think your GPA's too low for the caliber of schools you're aiming for regardless of how you "manipulate" your performance. You might want to shoot for a master's at a less prestigious school and work up from there. I'd send one app to a pie-in-the-sky school just so you never wonder "what if."

It sounds to me like your test score is what's holding you back. How many times have you taken the GMAT? If only once, you should retake that first. Perhaps you just had a bad day when you took it the first time. Speaking from a n of 1, I improved 130 points my second time (exceeding the 90th percentile).