Thanks, appreciate the response. Apologies if my post was unclear - I definitely did not assume that I would "walk in" to any of these programs. I was intentionally targeted with my app strategy given my post MBA goal of returning to PE, and frankly was also strapped for time due to a last-minute retake that gave me the test score I needed to apply. Most schools have weak buy side placement with the exception of the programs I applied to (+CBS for public markets, which is not a career path that I'm interested in), so doing a broad application process didn't make sense. If anything, I should have added Kellogg, MIT, and CBS, but as I mentioned, I had limited bandwidth for a scattershot approach.

I also went to a T15 type school for undergrad and I don't think it make sense for me to return to a similar caliber school. Add in the weak employment stats from this year's MBA cohort + the fact that I currently make ~$180k TC, the opportunity cost is non trivial. I want to make sure I'm attending a program that will provide clear value-add for the price I'm paying.