Friday, January 28, 2005
Too Much Time on My Hands, I Think
This is my experiment in blending music with being an MBA applicant. I removed the words "rock and roll" from this REALLY cool song (by a little band called Art Brut) and replaced those words with "business school." The song is called "My Little Brother" and I suggest splurging $.99 to download it off iTunes:
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
There's a noise in his head
And he's out of control
And, yes, it frustrates
Let's let him make his own mistakes
See him on the dance floor go now
Oi, those moves, I just don't know how
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
He's only 22 and he's out of control
Lousy living with all that unforgiving
See him on the dance floor go now
Oi, those moves, I just don't know how
My little brother just discovered business school
He no longer likes A sides
He made me a tape of bootlegs and B sides
And every song on that tape,
Every single song says,
"I want our parents to worry about us,"
All we ever want is for our parents to worry about us
It's all anybody really wants
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
STAY OFF THE SMACK!
Or how about this one... I replaced the Beatles' "Mrs. Robinson" with "Columbia Business School"
And here's to you Columbia Business School
Jesus loves you more than you will know
God bless you please Columbia Business School
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey hey hey...hey hey hey
We like to know a little bit about you for our files
We like to help you learn to help yourself
Look around you all you see are sympathetic lies
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home
And here's to you Columbia Business School....
Seriously, go download the song.
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
There's a noise in his head
And he's out of control
And, yes, it frustrates
Let's let him make his own mistakes
See him on the dance floor go now
Oi, those moves, I just don't know how
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
He's only 22 and he's out of control
Lousy living with all that unforgiving
See him on the dance floor go now
Oi, those moves, I just don't know how
My little brother just discovered business school
He no longer likes A sides
He made me a tape of bootlegs and B sides
And every song on that tape,
Every single song says,
"I want our parents to worry about us,"
All we ever want is for our parents to worry about us
It's all anybody really wants
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
My little brother just discovered business school
STAY OFF THE SMACK!
Or how about this one... I replaced the Beatles' "Mrs. Robinson" with "Columbia Business School"
And here's to you Columbia Business School
Jesus loves you more than you will know
God bless you please Columbia Business School
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey hey hey...hey hey hey
We like to know a little bit about you for our files
We like to help you learn to help yourself
Look around you all you see are sympathetic lies
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home
And here's to you Columbia Business School....
Seriously, go download the song.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
I received an email today that my Duke interviewer has submitted an interview evaluation. I now have this feeling of finality regarding my Duke application. I just hope that's a good thing. I will know for sure, however, in 23 days (no, I'm not counting, never).
My Columbia interviewer, on the other hand, makes me a little nervous because he has not been able to impress upon me an aptitude for timeliness. For example, he called me an hour from our scheduled interview time to tell me that it was still on, even though I emailed him twice and called him twice over 4 days trying to confirm our meeting. I also checked today on my application status, which remains "invited to interview" yet at some point should change to "thank you for interviewing." If my status has not been updated within a week, I will have to give adcom a call to see what's up.
... and Google rocks. I received an interview reminder for UCLA and noticed that there was the name of my interviewer on the email, which I did not have previously. So, I typed her name, "UCLA," and "MBA" into the Google search bar. Less than 20 seconds later, I found a profile for this person and now know that I am interviewing with someone on the admissions staff even though UCLA does not post names of their admissions staff on their site. I followed up with a search of my name and I'm on Google a few times. I honestly cannot imagine (and vaguely remember) what life was like before the internet. It's horrifying.
I will have to do some more research on the types of questions that commonly come from adcom now.
My Columbia interviewer, on the other hand, makes me a little nervous because he has not been able to impress upon me an aptitude for timeliness. For example, he called me an hour from our scheduled interview time to tell me that it was still on, even though I emailed him twice and called him twice over 4 days trying to confirm our meeting. I also checked today on my application status, which remains "invited to interview" yet at some point should change to "thank you for interviewing." If my status has not been updated within a week, I will have to give adcom a call to see what's up.
... and Google rocks. I received an interview reminder for UCLA and noticed that there was the name of my interviewer on the email, which I did not have previously. So, I typed her name, "UCLA," and "MBA" into the Google search bar. Less than 20 seconds later, I found a profile for this person and now know that I am interviewing with someone on the admissions staff even though UCLA does not post names of their admissions staff on their site. I followed up with a search of my name and I'm on Google a few times. I honestly cannot imagine (and vaguely remember) what life was like before the internet. It's horrifying.
I will have to do some more research on the types of questions that commonly come from adcom now.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
2 Down, 1 to Go
The Columbia interview went great. It lasted about an hour in total and my interviewer, SM, was a good guy. Right off the bat he said to me, "I'm sure you are a good candidate, so unless you tell me you want to go to Chicago (smirk), I will give you a positive recommendation. I just want to talk to you and find out if your goals are a good fit for the program and be a resource to you for any questions you may have." That was a huge weight lifted, so the interview went well. Basically he only asked me a few questions:
- What do you do for a living
- Tell me about yourself
- Why Columbia
Really, that was it. For the rest of the interview, SM shared his experience and I asked him loads of questions. So, it was good that I did have questions (especially for never having lived on the East Coast, let alone Manhattan). The interview was very informative and actually relieved some of the concerns/rumors I've heard about Columbia. For example, I've heard that Columbia is very competitive and the collaborative environment among students is far less than at other schools. Ok, well that was not his experience at Columbia. He had the opposite experience and found his classmates were always willing to help out.
On to UCLA. This interivew will be held in a classroom or office somewhere on campus. I expect this one to be much different and more formal than the other two since I will probably be interviewing with either a current student or someone from adcom. UCLA is truly my fourth choice school, and at this point, I'm almost considering withdrawing my application. I honestly have no excitement about the program anymore. Either that, or I am basically done with the application process and I'm starting to check out. I guess it's good that I don't feel any more interviewing pressure, but I hope the interviewer doesn't sense a lack of interest.
- What do you do for a living
- Tell me about yourself
- Why Columbia
Really, that was it. For the rest of the interview, SM shared his experience and I asked him loads of questions. So, it was good that I did have questions (especially for never having lived on the East Coast, let alone Manhattan). The interview was very informative and actually relieved some of the concerns/rumors I've heard about Columbia. For example, I've heard that Columbia is very competitive and the collaborative environment among students is far less than at other schools. Ok, well that was not his experience at Columbia. He had the opposite experience and found his classmates were always willing to help out.
On to UCLA. This interivew will be held in a classroom or office somewhere on campus. I expect this one to be much different and more formal than the other two since I will probably be interviewing with either a current student or someone from adcom. UCLA is truly my fourth choice school, and at this point, I'm almost considering withdrawing my application. I honestly have no excitement about the program anymore. Either that, or I am basically done with the application process and I'm starting to check out. I guess it's good that I don't feel any more interviewing pressure, but I hope the interviewer doesn't sense a lack of interest.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
MBA Dreams
It’s official, last night I had my first MBA dream (or nightmare).
I dreamt my career plans were to become a weather journalist suddenly, and I wrote on and on about my love for weather journalism in my applications. After submitting my apps, I realized that I didn't need an MBA to become a weather journalist (is this a real job?) and started to panic because I was never going to get admitted to any school with those aspirations.It's funny now, but in my dream I was quite worried.
I probably should have been relieved now that I think of it! No need to drop $100K anymore and probably some great travel and perks.
I dreamt my career plans were to become a weather journalist suddenly, and I wrote on and on about my love for weather journalism in my applications. After submitting my apps, I realized that I didn't need an MBA to become a weather journalist (is this a real job?) and started to panic because I was never going to get admitted to any school with those aspirations.It's funny now, but in my dream I was quite worried.
I probably should have been relieved now that I think of it! No need to drop $100K anymore and probably some great travel and perks.
Friday, January 21, 2005
BAD MBA Day
Where should I start?
Well, last night something came up with my Columbia interviewer and he bailed but I think I have it rescheduled for Monday night. He hasn't confirmed that yet but it was his suggestion so our new arrangements should work out ok. I was a little disappointed, as I had some momentum built up after what I considered to be a successful interview with Duke. Oh well. At this point, I'm not even bothered because I have bigger fish to fry...
Last Friday (7 days ago), my old department, which I left about 4 months ago, had a staff meeting and someone decided to announce that I was going to away for an MBA to about a room of 40 people. What?!?!?!?! That was not public knowledge and, apparently, it was divulged from someone who overheard a conversation between me and one of the 4 people at my company who know of my plans. One of my confidant's expressed during this staff meeting that that was not public knowledge and my old manager made everyone pledge that this information would not leave the room. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA. Ya, right. Though I left that department, I still work very closely with many of the same people, so I knew it was just a matter of time... I just didn't know it would only take 5 working days.
Today, one of those people at that meeting blurted out 3 times directly to my new project manager and another project teammate that I was leaving to go to school , neither of whom knew anything about my quest for an MBA. So now I have to talk to them on Monday and tell them that I am looking to get an MBA, but I haven't been accepted anywhere yet, I won't even know for another 4 - 8 weeks, oh and by the way, please don't reduce my responsibilities because I could potentially leave you in, say, 6 months from now.
Yes, I'm a little angry right now ;)
Then to top it off, I confronted the blabber afterward and not ONLY was he not the least bit apologetic, but he also LAUGHED behind my back after I left his office. What an a$$. Hmm, I suppose I will have to send him a copy of my first W2 after B-school and see who's laughing then.
Enough. I am off to Happy Hour.
Well, last night something came up with my Columbia interviewer and he bailed but I think I have it rescheduled for Monday night. He hasn't confirmed that yet but it was his suggestion so our new arrangements should work out ok. I was a little disappointed, as I had some momentum built up after what I considered to be a successful interview with Duke. Oh well. At this point, I'm not even bothered because I have bigger fish to fry...
Last Friday (7 days ago), my old department, which I left about 4 months ago, had a staff meeting and someone decided to announce that I was going to away for an MBA to about a room of 40 people. What?!?!?!?! That was not public knowledge and, apparently, it was divulged from someone who overheard a conversation between me and one of the 4 people at my company who know of my plans. One of my confidant's expressed during this staff meeting that that was not public knowledge and my old manager made everyone pledge that this information would not leave the room. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA. Ya, right. Though I left that department, I still work very closely with many of the same people, so I knew it was just a matter of time... I just didn't know it would only take 5 working days.
Today, one of those people at that meeting blurted out 3 times directly to my new project manager and another project teammate that I was leaving to go to school , neither of whom knew anything about my quest for an MBA. So now I have to talk to them on Monday and tell them that I am looking to get an MBA, but I haven't been accepted anywhere yet, I won't even know for another 4 - 8 weeks, oh and by the way, please don't reduce my responsibilities because I could potentially leave you in, say, 6 months from now.
Yes, I'm a little angry right now ;)
Then to top it off, I confronted the blabber afterward and not ONLY was he not the least bit apologetic, but he also LAUGHED behind my back after I left his office. What an a$$. Hmm, I suppose I will have to send him a copy of my first W2 after B-school and see who's laughing then.
Enough. I am off to Happy Hour.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
1 Down, 2 To Go
I felt really good after the Duke interview. Here's how it went: I met CM at a coffee shop where we chit-chatted for a few minutes. That was nice because we didn't get into any grill session or anything like that. He seemed like a really good guy, easy to talk to and pretty easy going himself. The whole interview was fairly relaxed. First off, he had some canned questions that the school wanted him to ask:
1) Decribe your work experience.
2) Why an MBA?
3) Why Duke?
4) Give me an example of when you were on a team.
Ok, I pretty much knew those questions would be asked. Then he started asking other questions like:
1) If you were on a team at Fuqua and you needed to break the team up to finish the project, what would your approach be?
2) How would you handle people who wanted to do all the work in the team setting?
3) What would you bring to Fuqua?
4) What is your greatest asset?
5) What skills do you look to gain from an MBA?
6) What other MBA programs are you applying to?
7) Do you know what activities at Duke you would be interested in participating in?
8) How would you adjust from moving from California to North Carolina?
That's all I can remember, he probably asked a few more questions but I've been able to pick out most of them. After he asked those questions, we also talked about some of the team building activities at Fuqua, such as the integrated learning experiences (ILE) after orientation. The way he described them, the ILE seemed so fun! Then he also talked about the campout that Duke graduate students have every year for basketball season tickets and what a riot that whole weekend is. We also discussed in depth some of the unique offerings of the Duke MBA, such as the global academic travel experiences and the small business consulting project.
So, I'm on to the next interview tonight: Columbia. Now that I've had one good experience, I am a bit more relaxed about interviewing in general. I will review my Columbia info again and just hope that interview goes as smoothly.
This morning, my UCLA application was also updated from "submitted" to "complete."
1) Decribe your work experience.
2) Why an MBA?
3) Why Duke?
4) Give me an example of when you were on a team.
Ok, I pretty much knew those questions would be asked. Then he started asking other questions like:
1) If you were on a team at Fuqua and you needed to break the team up to finish the project, what would your approach be?
2) How would you handle people who wanted to do all the work in the team setting?
3) What would you bring to Fuqua?
4) What is your greatest asset?
5) What skills do you look to gain from an MBA?
6) What other MBA programs are you applying to?
7) Do you know what activities at Duke you would be interested in participating in?
8) How would you adjust from moving from California to North Carolina?
That's all I can remember, he probably asked a few more questions but I've been able to pick out most of them. After he asked those questions, we also talked about some of the team building activities at Fuqua, such as the integrated learning experiences (ILE) after orientation. The way he described them, the ILE seemed so fun! Then he also talked about the campout that Duke graduate students have every year for basketball season tickets and what a riot that whole weekend is. We also discussed in depth some of the unique offerings of the Duke MBA, such as the global academic travel experiences and the small business consulting project.
So, I'm on to the next interview tonight: Columbia. Now that I've had one good experience, I am a bit more relaxed about interviewing in general. I will review my Columbia info again and just hope that interview goes as smoothly.
This morning, my UCLA application was also updated from "submitted" to "complete."
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
10 Hours and Counting...
Ok, I feel pretty good this morning... confident, prepared but not over prepared (thanks Raver), and energized. I'm trying to approach this as a mutually beneficial conversation. "CM" (my Duke interviewer) wants to sell his school and check me out, I want to buy his school and check him out. No problem.
To Do's:
1) Done - Take a chill pill
2) In Progress - Practice interviewing
3) Done - Contact current students for more info
4) Done - Prepare questions for interviewer
5) Waiting for my boss to leave - Get resume printed
6) Done - Get suit pressed
7) Done - Bring business cards
To Do's:
1) Done - Take a chill pill
2) In Progress - Practice interviewing
3) Done - Contact current students for more info
4) Done - Prepare questions for interviewer
5) Waiting for my boss to leave - Get resume printed
6) Done - Get suit pressed
7) Done - Bring business cards
Interview Prep. Progress
To Do's:
1) Done - Take a chill pill
2) In Progress - Practice interviewing
3) In Progress - Contact current students for more info
4) In progress - Prepare questions for interviewer
5) Not Started - Get resume printed
6) Done - Get suit pressed
7) Done - Bring business cards
1) Done - Take a chill pill
2) In Progress - Practice interviewing
3) In Progress - Contact current students for more info
4) In progress - Prepare questions for interviewer
5) Not Started - Get resume printed
6) Done - Get suit pressed
7) Done - Bring business cards
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Duke Admissions - Live BW Event
"Among BusinessWeek's top-12 MBA programs for the eighth time, Duke University's Fuqua School of Business is full of activity, including recent growth in MBA enrollment and the upkeep of three flexible and innovative executive MBA programs.
Want to snag a seat at Fuqua? Then you don't want to miss this event. In a live chat on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST), we're heading straight to the sources: Liz Riley, assistant dean and director for the Daytime MBA Program, and Kelli Kilpatrick, executive MBA admissions director at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. They'll take your questions and offer advice on everything from GMAT scores to essays. "
Want to snag a seat at Fuqua? Then you don't want to miss this event. In a live chat on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST), we're heading straight to the sources: Liz Riley, assistant dean and director for the Daytime MBA Program, and Kelli Kilpatrick, executive MBA admissions director at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. They'll take your questions and offer advice on everything from GMAT scores to essays. "
No Interview Progress
I have done nothing toward preparing for my interviews this weekend. Tonight, tonight...
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Interviews Set & Ready To Go
Duke
Columbia
UCLA
Today, I finalized the times and places of each interview. I kind of wanted the Columbia interview to happen more evenly between the Duke and UCLA interviews so that if something nightmarish happens with the Duke interview (but I don't think it will), then I have some extra time to better prepare. On the other hand, I'm sure it will be nice to get two out of the way next week so I don't have to agonize over them anymore. The interview process, so far, has been the most stressful portion of my admission quest- but I think it's just fear of the unknown. I'm hoping that none of my interviewers are jerks, or out to get me. I'm sure they are not, but this is the kind of nonsense rolling around my anxious head right now. I have a tendency to be overly cautious and worry, but I've received some helpful feedback from y'all that alumni interviews are preferable.
To Do's (In order of importance):
1) Take a chill pill (or have a margarita - yum)
2) Practice interviewing with someone, or the wall, or the mirror
3) Try to get in contact with some current students for more info on CBS, Duke, UCLA
4) Try to come up with a few specific, intelligent questions for my interviewer
5) Get resume printed on nice paper
6) Get suit pressed
7) Bring business cards (I think)
Columbia
UCLA
Today, I finalized the times and places of each interview. I kind of wanted the Columbia interview to happen more evenly between the Duke and UCLA interviews so that if something nightmarish happens with the Duke interview (but I don't think it will), then I have some extra time to better prepare. On the other hand, I'm sure it will be nice to get two out of the way next week so I don't have to agonize over them anymore. The interview process, so far, has been the most stressful portion of my admission quest- but I think it's just fear of the unknown. I'm hoping that none of my interviewers are jerks, or out to get me. I'm sure they are not, but this is the kind of nonsense rolling around my anxious head right now. I have a tendency to be overly cautious and worry, but I've received some helpful feedback from y'all that alumni interviews are preferable.
To Do's (In order of importance):
1) Take a chill pill (or have a margarita - yum)
2) Practice interviewing with someone, or the wall, or the mirror
3) Try to get in contact with some current students for more info on CBS, Duke, UCLA
4) Try to come up with a few specific, intelligent questions for my interviewer
5) Get resume printed on nice paper
6) Get suit pressed
7) Bring business cards (I think)
Lingering Thoughts On Christmas + Gems
Totally unrelated to the MBA thing but... I still have my Christmas tree up with no intentions of ever taking it down. I can't decide if I'm being lazy or just really like it there. Except for the pair of underwear that my boyfriend threw on the tree and christened an ornament, it's growing on me - and if I get desperate for laundry it could be a godsend.
But if February comes around and I still have the tree, then I really do have a problem.
- - - - - -
Favorite Ornament: the Christmas pickle, courtesy of Target
Least Favorite Ornament: The glass bulb that broke and sliced my foot open
- - - - - -
If you've got a spare minute or two:
Fit but you know it - "See, I reckon you're about an 8 or a 9... maybe even nine and a half in 4 beers' time..."
But if February comes around and I still have the tree, then I really do have a problem.
- - - - - -
Favorite Ornament: the Christmas pickle, courtesy of Target
Least Favorite Ornament: The glass bulb that broke and sliced my foot open
- - - - - -
If you've got a spare minute or two:
Fit but you know it - "See, I reckon you're about an 8 or a 9... maybe even nine and a half in 4 beers' time..."
Monday, January 10, 2005
Interviews, Interviews
More progress on the admissions front: I now have an alumni interview contact for Fuqua. So now I am just waiting to hear from HBS, but since the other three interviews I have for Duke, Columbia and UCLA are all going to occur within the next 2-3 weeks, I think I'll manage quite alright with not hearing from HBS for a while.
An interesting thing did happen as I was contacting folks to set up our meetings: one of my interviewers works for a company that I worked at for 4 years during college, which was not I-banking or consulting. I was really excited to see that! At least I know that I will have something in common with at least one interviewer. It's almost like a bit of weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
As for the interviewing process in general, I have some mixed feelings. So far, all my interviews are with alumni which I've read can be good and bad. Good because they tend to be less formal and more relaxed. I need that because I'm from California.... laid back is my middle name ;) Bad because an interview with the admissions committee can be more beneficial for your case. They get to meet you firsthand and you have the opportunity to make a more memorable impression. Personally, I'd rather interview with an alumni and see how things have worked out for them and get their opinions on the school's program.
I have one dilemma in my interview process, however... I have not visited Columbia firsthand yet. ah! Is that BAD?? I have a feeling it is bad and I'm not sure how common it is to go into an interview not having visited the campus before, but I couldn't part with hundreds of dollars knowing I have only a 15% chance of ever going there. Seriously, this application process has left me broke. Now I am at a crossroads: I can either take a trip to see Columbia ASAP, or wait until the interview is over. If I think I did well and if I like what my interviewer has to say about the school, I can check it out then to make certain it's a good fit. Not sure which is the right decision.
P.S. - thanks to you all who have discovered my blog. I enjoy reading all of yours and I hope you will enjoy mine as well. I appreciate the comments I have received back and look forward to sharing this adventure with my fellow bloggers.
P.P.S. - What's up with all this rain in Cali??? I feel like a drowned rat.
An interesting thing did happen as I was contacting folks to set up our meetings: one of my interviewers works for a company that I worked at for 4 years during college, which was not I-banking or consulting. I was really excited to see that! At least I know that I will have something in common with at least one interviewer. It's almost like a bit of weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
As for the interviewing process in general, I have some mixed feelings. So far, all my interviews are with alumni which I've read can be good and bad. Good because they tend to be less formal and more relaxed. I need that because I'm from California.... laid back is my middle name ;) Bad because an interview with the admissions committee can be more beneficial for your case. They get to meet you firsthand and you have the opportunity to make a more memorable impression. Personally, I'd rather interview with an alumni and see how things have worked out for them and get their opinions on the school's program.
I have one dilemma in my interview process, however... I have not visited Columbia firsthand yet. ah! Is that BAD?? I have a feeling it is bad and I'm not sure how common it is to go into an interview not having visited the campus before, but I couldn't part with hundreds of dollars knowing I have only a 15% chance of ever going there. Seriously, this application process has left me broke. Now I am at a crossroads: I can either take a trip to see Columbia ASAP, or wait until the interview is over. If I think I did well and if I like what my interviewer has to say about the school, I can check it out then to make certain it's a good fit. Not sure which is the right decision.
P.S. - thanks to you all who have discovered my blog. I enjoy reading all of yours and I hope you will enjoy mine as well. I appreciate the comments I have received back and look forward to sharing this adventure with my fellow bloggers.
P.P.S. - What's up with all this rain in Cali??? I feel like a drowned rat.
Friday, January 07, 2005
MBA Admissions Vent
I don't know about you all, but I have garnered a small obsession with other MBA applicants' blogs trying to learn every bit I can about interviews, personal experiences, and DINGS. I have to say, there are some very bright and articulate folks out there who are being denied entry into the very schools I am also pursuing and I am starting to become paranoid over the quality of the applications I submitted.
Call me naive, but I went into this processes believing I would 'wow' the admissions committees and convince them that I am perfect for their schools. I believed my essays sparkled and told a compelling story. I told myself that I was a perfect fit for any of any of these schools, but now I am not so sure. I am reading about people (like Power Yogi) who have been denied to every school they applied for. I don't think I can handle complete rejection, really. I have vested countless hours and sleepless nights into this.
For now, I am just telling myself to get over it and not to think about it. Worrying never helped anyone, right?!?!
Call me naive, but I went into this processes believing I would 'wow' the admissions committees and convince them that I am perfect for their schools. I believed my essays sparkled and told a compelling story. I told myself that I was a perfect fit for any of any of these schools, but now I am not so sure. I am reading about people (like Power Yogi) who have been denied to every school they applied for. I don't think I can handle complete rejection, really. I have vested countless hours and sleepless nights into this.
For now, I am just telling myself to get over it and not to think about it. Worrying never helped anyone, right?!?!
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Good Blog Kharma?
Is this my good luck blog site? Well, Hopefully! Less than 2 hours after posting my first "MBA Experiences" blog, I received an email from Columbia with an invitation to interview with an alumnus out here in California. I am so jazzed I hardly know what to do with myself. Ahhhh!
Oh yeah, I have also signed up for an interview at UCLA. Anyone can sign up and it's 'highly suggested.' Well, since I have that typo in my app I've got some ground to make up I suppose.
Oh yeah, I have also signed up for an interview at UCLA. Anyone can sign up and it's 'highly suggested.' Well, since I have that typo in my app I've got some ground to make up I suppose.
Welcome!!
Welcome to my first blog (which will be dedicated to my MBA experience). Currently, I am applying for admission to the class of 2007 at four schools: UCLA, Duke, Columbia, and Harvard. I wish I had discovered blogs earlier, as I've found them to be tremendously insightful, because I could have used some the advice that exists out there.
Before just a few days ago, I was not a believer in blogs. To me, they were simply mindless ramblings... sort of like what I am doing now... but now that I am in the same shoes as thousands of MBA hopefuls, I found them truly inspiring and I know that I am NOT alone out there. I share the same anxieties, doubts, hopes, and dreams as you all wishing for the same thing: acceptance to a program that dings 80-90% of the applicant pool. So here I am, looking to blog for you all so that some day my MBA experience, if it ever transpires, may be helpful or informational to others out there. Let me begin my story (we have some catching up to do)...
I actually applied to all 4 schools (Harvard, Duke, Columbia, UCLA) in Round 2 due to my delay in taking the GMAT. I've always known that I was going to get an MBA (well, since high school anyway), but I decided to procrastinate for over a year in taking the GMAT. Yup, that test scared the living daylights out of me for over a year. I signed up for the test and postponed it 3 times until I finally gathered up the courage to just do it. I took the Princeton Review Course first but I kind of slacked off since my company was paying for it. A year later, I took another GMAT prep course at a nearby University and gave 100%. I was gung ho, and it paid off... when I finally took the test, and did extremely well. Going into the test, I wasn't too nervous because I sincerely thought this was a 'practice' test for my next GMAT attempt. I wasn't going to get the score I wanted to on the first try, right? Also because of the uncertainty over the GMAT, I decided to wait until I saw my score before deciding where I would apply to. An L.A. native, UCLA was always going to be on that list. I didn't know what other schools I would apply to, so I basically left the whole investigation process for October 2004, the moth I took the GMAT.
Harvard was for shits and giggles. I just wanted to put my name in the hat and see what happens. I really don't expect too much from that application, though I did pour some blood and guts into the application. After deciding to focus on international finance, Duke and Columbia quickly emerged as potential schools. I was also going to apply to NYU, but after diving into the application process (which is like having another full-time job), I decided 4 schools were enough for me.
In my own opinion, I feel like I have a reasonable chance at Duke. I thought UCLA was in the bucket, except that the day after submitting my app, I went back to look at it for some random reason, and noticed a typo in one of my essays. I could have hung myself at that exact moment. So, now I don't know. If anyone out there has also left a typo in their essay and noticed it afterward, please email me and let me know what's up with that. I have no idea what to think about it. As far as Columbia goes, I really don't know what my chances are for that app. I won't be heartbroken if I don't get in because I'm really pulling for Duke at this point. And I read somewhere that you should apply to one dream school... so HBS was that for me (crossing my fingers and toes over it).
In terms of school visits, I have been to Duke (loved it) and UCLA but I have NOT been to Columbia or Harvard. I have been to a Duke and a Columbia info session (which I liked but have some mixed feelings about the candidates who also joined me that evening.) See, I am from California - I was born and raised here. I am nice, laid back, easy going. I dislike, but will tolerate, wearing suits and formal clothes when I have to, but really, my closet contains more flip flops than I know what to do with! So, when I walked into the Columbia info session in my 'business casual' outfit and saw people wearing extremely nice suits and more formal business attire, a red flag went up. Then, when Q&A time came, people were kissing butt to the alumni and admissions director like I've never seen before. It was fake and very off-putting. The Duke info session was more friendly and down to earth though, which quickly put Fuqua at the top of my list.
I finished my HBS application 2 days ago and now I really don't know what to do with myself. A strange feeling came over me after I went to a movie last night, a Wednesday. For the last 3 months, the application process has been my first priority and most time consuming extra curricular activity, so doing fun things after work feels extremely foreign right now.
Oh, the other reason I am doing this blog thing is because I really suck at writing. I mean really, really suck. I have the grammar of a 3rd grader pretty much. So, I want to practice my writing skills in the hope that, if I ever get into an MBA program, my writing abilities will be much improved.
Peace Out.
Before just a few days ago, I was not a believer in blogs. To me, they were simply mindless ramblings... sort of like what I am doing now... but now that I am in the same shoes as thousands of MBA hopefuls, I found them truly inspiring and I know that I am NOT alone out there. I share the same anxieties, doubts, hopes, and dreams as you all wishing for the same thing: acceptance to a program that dings 80-90% of the applicant pool. So here I am, looking to blog for you all so that some day my MBA experience, if it ever transpires, may be helpful or informational to others out there. Let me begin my story (we have some catching up to do)...
I actually applied to all 4 schools (Harvard, Duke, Columbia, UCLA) in Round 2 due to my delay in taking the GMAT. I've always known that I was going to get an MBA (well, since high school anyway), but I decided to procrastinate for over a year in taking the GMAT. Yup, that test scared the living daylights out of me for over a year. I signed up for the test and postponed it 3 times until I finally gathered up the courage to just do it. I took the Princeton Review Course first but I kind of slacked off since my company was paying for it. A year later, I took another GMAT prep course at a nearby University and gave 100%. I was gung ho, and it paid off... when I finally took the test, and did extremely well. Going into the test, I wasn't too nervous because I sincerely thought this was a 'practice' test for my next GMAT attempt. I wasn't going to get the score I wanted to on the first try, right? Also because of the uncertainty over the GMAT, I decided to wait until I saw my score before deciding where I would apply to. An L.A. native, UCLA was always going to be on that list. I didn't know what other schools I would apply to, so I basically left the whole investigation process for October 2004, the moth I took the GMAT.
Harvard was for shits and giggles. I just wanted to put my name in the hat and see what happens. I really don't expect too much from that application, though I did pour some blood and guts into the application. After deciding to focus on international finance, Duke and Columbia quickly emerged as potential schools. I was also going to apply to NYU, but after diving into the application process (which is like having another full-time job), I decided 4 schools were enough for me.
In my own opinion, I feel like I have a reasonable chance at Duke. I thought UCLA was in the bucket, except that the day after submitting my app, I went back to look at it for some random reason, and noticed a typo in one of my essays. I could have hung myself at that exact moment. So, now I don't know. If anyone out there has also left a typo in their essay and noticed it afterward, please email me and let me know what's up with that. I have no idea what to think about it. As far as Columbia goes, I really don't know what my chances are for that app. I won't be heartbroken if I don't get in because I'm really pulling for Duke at this point. And I read somewhere that you should apply to one dream school... so HBS was that for me (crossing my fingers and toes over it).
In terms of school visits, I have been to Duke (loved it) and UCLA but I have NOT been to Columbia or Harvard. I have been to a Duke and a Columbia info session (which I liked but have some mixed feelings about the candidates who also joined me that evening.) See, I am from California - I was born and raised here. I am nice, laid back, easy going. I dislike, but will tolerate, wearing suits and formal clothes when I have to, but really, my closet contains more flip flops than I know what to do with! So, when I walked into the Columbia info session in my 'business casual' outfit and saw people wearing extremely nice suits and more formal business attire, a red flag went up. Then, when Q&A time came, people were kissing butt to the alumni and admissions director like I've never seen before. It was fake and very off-putting. The Duke info session was more friendly and down to earth though, which quickly put Fuqua at the top of my list.
I finished my HBS application 2 days ago and now I really don't know what to do with myself. A strange feeling came over me after I went to a movie last night, a Wednesday. For the last 3 months, the application process has been my first priority and most time consuming extra curricular activity, so doing fun things after work feels extremely foreign right now.
Oh, the other reason I am doing this blog thing is because I really suck at writing. I mean really, really suck. I have the grammar of a 3rd grader pretty much. So, I want to practice my writing skills in the hope that, if I ever get into an MBA program, my writing abilities will be much improved.
Peace Out.
