I suppose I should start by announcing that I have accepted a full time position!! While this is very exciting news, it also means that I start work May 24th, which is the day after I graduate. I had dreams about attending the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and traveling the world for the two months prior to joining some unknown firm. Unfortunately, none of these trips will be taken, and I'll settle for a week on the west coast, some time moving and then of course, the silver lining to second year, BEACH WEEK! The good news is, I'm excited about the position and the thought of making $$$ again!!
If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a planner. Though I'm a planner only in how it relates to plane flights, hotel rooms and transportation to and from the airport. Most trips, I show up and will figure out what I'm doing doing/ seeing when I get there. So here I am planning again. The official communication about beach week reached our inbox today. I'm already trying to figure out how to get to California, move, attend beach week, then graduation and hopefully arrive in my new home in time for Day 1. Plus, maybe a trip to Vegas for Memorial Day Weekend! When I think about the fact that graduation is almost exactly 4 months from today, it seems silly that I'm trying to be so prepared. It's as if I'm ready to return to the states for Q4 and graduate, stepping forward to the next chapter. I can't help but remind myself to not get too excited. I mean this is it, right? No more school. No more living across the street from these friends. No more instant parties with 50 of your closest business school buddies. No more TNDC, first coffee, HBS cases, HBR articles, insanely smart peers, tormenting first years with new Darden cases, and no more stressing about finals and feeling the joy when they're over. It's crazy to think.
So in the meantime, I try to take a breath and keep my feet on the ground, while I contemplate venturing to Rome next weekend with my classmates who are on exchange. Maybe that will remind me that I have quite a few adventures left in this chapter.
Showing posts with label Grad School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grad School. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Is Business School Right For Me?
Darden participates in a program with the McIntire School of Commerce, UVa's undergraduate business school. This program matches a Darden student with a current bachelor student to essentially be a peer and answer any questions the student has about an MBA. Given that I haven't been in one place long enough to hold a conversation with my peer, I finally wrote asking what sort of questions he had about an MBA. Surprisingly, he had a number of GREAT questions about an MBA. I finally sat down tonight to respond to him and thought the information may help others thinking about getting an MBA. Please note, these are MY opinions and may not include all the facts. Here it goes:
- How do you know if pursuing an MBA/graduate degree is worth the investment?
This is a very interesting question as I almost want to say that you don’t know if it is or is not worth the investment. Certain fields like banking and consulting can have a glass ceiling without an MBA, so I’d say you could definitely justify the investment. It is my opinion that an MBA from a top school will always be worth the investment in multiple ways. The most obvious way is compensation. You’re typically worth more as an MBA and the MBA is a great stepping stone for positions and careers that simply pay more. Another benefit is the network. I have met some of the most incredible people as an MBA and I believe it’s very different from a bachelor’s degree. People who are getting their MBAs at a top 20 school are often driven in ways I can’t explain. Darden in particular has an incredible network that can be used at any time and they’re always willing to help. This is quite similar to other programs. Plus, you’ll create a personal network of classmates who will likely do something big. I think an MBA also provides you with knowledge that you may have learned during your bachelors but is better understood today because you’ve had work experience. An MBA can open doors for a career switcher or perhaps open doors to firms that are considered more prestigious in the same field. I do believe the investment can be justified, however, it’s not a pure numbers game.
- What is the difference between an MBA and a lot of the other Master's programs some business schools offer such as a Master's in Finance?
I’ll admit, I’m not the best person to answer this question. Here’s my best shot. I think the main difference between the degrees is the concentration on what you learn. More MBA programs require that one covers a range of subjects, including organizational behavior. I imagine a Masters in Finance would focus specifically on Finance and not necessarily on Marketing and people skills. I could be wrong however. This link has a better explanation: http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/MBAvMSF.asp?iEpisode=12
- What is the difference between the various MBA degrees?
I’m not entirely sure I understand this question. My assumption is that you mean an MBA at one school versus another and perhaps an MBA in “General Management” versus “Finance”. There are also different programs in the sense of the way the program is taught as well as its core requirements. Darden, like Harvard, teaches using a 100% case study method. Case study essentially means that students get more practicality than theory. Is it the “right” way to learn, that depends on the student. Case study has no lectures, you essentially learn everything from your peers. Professors often “manage” the discussion, only speaking 30% of the class. Students will read cases, and occasionally technical notes, then come to class discussing what they think the “right” answer is to the case. There is no one right answer. Most programs use some case study, but the percentage of case study varies. When schools aren’t doing case study, students attend lectures, much like I did in undergrad.
Some schools have concentrations while others are “general management”. For instance, Darden is a gen. mgmt school where no student is allowed to take more than 12 credit hours in any one discipline. In contrast, Chicago GSB has concentrations, one which you will often see is finance. This simply means that these students take more classes in that discipline in order to have the concentration. Some programs have a large set of core requirements, others allow you to test out of core classes. Darden sets a core that forces students to take courses in all disciplines (Finance, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Accounting, Decision Analysis, Econ, Management Communication etc.) for the first 3 quarters. Haas (Berkeley) allows students to test out of subjects like econ and then take more electives. Ross (Michigan) forces students to do a MAP project which is essentially a quarter spent on a consulting gig. These projects can be located all over the world. Ross partners with companies and the students must present their findings to those companies. I also know McDonough (Georgetown) forces students to spend at least a week internationally. You also have 2 year programs and 1 year programs. I’m sure there are many benefits to a one year program (less $$, and less time spent without a job), however, I think the true benefit of a 2 year program is the ability to have a summer internship that potentially allows you to try a new industry, career path or even start your own company.
- When is the right time to get an MBA?
I think the right time for an MBA varies by person. In my honest opinion though, I’d suggest having a minimum of 3 years of work experience. I think having at least that much work experience allows you to have a better reference point for what you’re learning. You can also contribute as much as you learn. Plus, when you are recruiting, having something to speak about helps. Explaining why MBA when you have no work experience is a hard one. MBA schools want to know why you’re coming back to school, but then companies ask the same thing. I had 4 years of experience when I entered the program and felt that was right for me.
- How do you know which MBA school is right for you? Are different business schools known to specialize in particular things?
It sounds silly, but an MBA is all about fit. You’ll hear it time and time again, you’ll shake your head, but when you feel it’s right, you’ll understand what I mean. I’d like to propose the question of “what do you want to get out of the experience?” Some schools are known for rigor (Darden), others are known to be more social, yet still have an incredible reputation (Kellogg). Some schools have class sizes of 900 (HBS), others 100 (Minnesota) and then even others 300 (Darden). Don’t ever judge a school by one person, but try to understand who a group of people are and what makes them tick. Think about job prospects. While Wharton and Chicago GSB are known to be finance/quant schools, you have to remember that when you’re interviewing for jobs at Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley, first and foremost, you’re competing against your classmates on campus. This means, it may be harder to get a 2nd interview with these companies. Other companies will bring students from all schools in together for second round interviews, so in a sense, you’re always competing against them too. Something to think about could be, can I get an education somewhere else that these companies recruit that still has a great reputation where I may compete against less people for finance. Something else to consider is, where do you want to live after school? I’ll be the first to admit, it’s hard to go to the West Coast from Darden given the school’s location. Is it impossible? No way!! It just means your job search may be more off grounds then others. That’s another thing to consider, how good is the career development center? MBA fairs are a great way to get a lot of material on a number of schools. I didn’t know where to start and as much as we all hate rankings, I ended up starting with them. Other considerations can be the cost of the city. I mean NYU is a great school, NYC is a fun city, but I imagine it costs more to be a student in NYC for 2 years than it costs me to be a student in Charlottesville. If you have a spouse, that could be a consideration – how many students are married, can your significant other find a job etc. I think there are many aspects to finding the right school and I hope this gives you something to think about. It’s a personal choice and it is all about the experience YOU want to have. Remember that. As far as specializing, some supposedly do, though I think they’re mostly stereotypes.
- When is the right time to take the GMAT? What is the best way to prepare for the GMAT?
If you have time when you graduate, that may be a great time to try the GMAT. I only say that because you’re still in studying mode and scores are good for 5 years (though I’m not sure what schools think about a dated GMAT score versus one that is closer to your application date). If you prefer to wait, I essentially started studying in March the year I thought I’d apply. I took the GMAT in July, researched in August and wrote essays September – November for Round 1 applications. Had I taken the GMAT earlier, I could have had more time for research, which probably would have helped. I also didn’t do many school visits and I think school visits tell you a lot about a program (though they can get expensive). Darden was the right choice for me and I knew it, so I don’t regret not visiting other schools. I can say that I didn’t realize Darden was the right program until I interviewed on campus. As for how to study, I had a number of GMAT books and studied for a couple hours a day on my own. On the weekends I would take practice tests (full length). Everyone does it differently. The official GMAT guides are great (comprehensive, verbal and quant). I also had a cliff notes refresher for algebra I, a Kaplan math book and a Princeton Review GMAT book. The key to the test in my opinion is knowing when to cut your losses. Given all the time in the world…and a calculator, we could answer all the problems perfectly. Kaplan also has an online quiz bank that costs $199 to access. Seeing that the test is all online, I bet the online quiz bank would be a great way to practice.
Here are some helpful links about GMAT, schools, information, perspectives… etc.
Clear Admit: http://blog.clearadmit.com/
Current Applicant Blogs: http://hella.opencoder.org/mba-applicant-blogs/
MBA.com: http://www.mba.com/mba
MBA Tour: http://www.thembatour.com/
Consortium: http://www.cgsm.org/
Forte Foundation (women’s organization that has some good info about getting an MBA as well as a LONGER list of resources than I have here): http://www.fortefoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=mba_main
- How do you know if pursuing an MBA/graduate degree is worth the investment?
This is a very interesting question as I almost want to say that you don’t know if it is or is not worth the investment. Certain fields like banking and consulting can have a glass ceiling without an MBA, so I’d say you could definitely justify the investment. It is my opinion that an MBA from a top school will always be worth the investment in multiple ways. The most obvious way is compensation. You’re typically worth more as an MBA and the MBA is a great stepping stone for positions and careers that simply pay more. Another benefit is the network. I have met some of the most incredible people as an MBA and I believe it’s very different from a bachelor’s degree. People who are getting their MBAs at a top 20 school are often driven in ways I can’t explain. Darden in particular has an incredible network that can be used at any time and they’re always willing to help. This is quite similar to other programs. Plus, you’ll create a personal network of classmates who will likely do something big. I think an MBA also provides you with knowledge that you may have learned during your bachelors but is better understood today because you’ve had work experience. An MBA can open doors for a career switcher or perhaps open doors to firms that are considered more prestigious in the same field. I do believe the investment can be justified, however, it’s not a pure numbers game.
- What is the difference between an MBA and a lot of the other Master's programs some business schools offer such as a Master's in Finance?
I’ll admit, I’m not the best person to answer this question. Here’s my best shot. I think the main difference between the degrees is the concentration on what you learn. More MBA programs require that one covers a range of subjects, including organizational behavior. I imagine a Masters in Finance would focus specifically on Finance and not necessarily on Marketing and people skills. I could be wrong however. This link has a better explanation: http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/MBAvMSF.asp?iEpisode=12
- What is the difference between the various MBA degrees?
I’m not entirely sure I understand this question. My assumption is that you mean an MBA at one school versus another and perhaps an MBA in “General Management” versus “Finance”. There are also different programs in the sense of the way the program is taught as well as its core requirements. Darden, like Harvard, teaches using a 100% case study method. Case study essentially means that students get more practicality than theory. Is it the “right” way to learn, that depends on the student. Case study has no lectures, you essentially learn everything from your peers. Professors often “manage” the discussion, only speaking 30% of the class. Students will read cases, and occasionally technical notes, then come to class discussing what they think the “right” answer is to the case. There is no one right answer. Most programs use some case study, but the percentage of case study varies. When schools aren’t doing case study, students attend lectures, much like I did in undergrad.
Some schools have concentrations while others are “general management”. For instance, Darden is a gen. mgmt school where no student is allowed to take more than 12 credit hours in any one discipline. In contrast, Chicago GSB has concentrations, one which you will often see is finance. This simply means that these students take more classes in that discipline in order to have the concentration. Some programs have a large set of core requirements, others allow you to test out of core classes. Darden sets a core that forces students to take courses in all disciplines (Finance, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Accounting, Decision Analysis, Econ, Management Communication etc.) for the first 3 quarters. Haas (Berkeley) allows students to test out of subjects like econ and then take more electives. Ross (Michigan) forces students to do a MAP project which is essentially a quarter spent on a consulting gig. These projects can be located all over the world. Ross partners with companies and the students must present their findings to those companies. I also know McDonough (Georgetown) forces students to spend at least a week internationally. You also have 2 year programs and 1 year programs. I’m sure there are many benefits to a one year program (less $$, and less time spent without a job), however, I think the true benefit of a 2 year program is the ability to have a summer internship that potentially allows you to try a new industry, career path or even start your own company.
- When is the right time to get an MBA?
I think the right time for an MBA varies by person. In my honest opinion though, I’d suggest having a minimum of 3 years of work experience. I think having at least that much work experience allows you to have a better reference point for what you’re learning. You can also contribute as much as you learn. Plus, when you are recruiting, having something to speak about helps. Explaining why MBA when you have no work experience is a hard one. MBA schools want to know why you’re coming back to school, but then companies ask the same thing. I had 4 years of experience when I entered the program and felt that was right for me.
- How do you know which MBA school is right for you? Are different business schools known to specialize in particular things?
It sounds silly, but an MBA is all about fit. You’ll hear it time and time again, you’ll shake your head, but when you feel it’s right, you’ll understand what I mean. I’d like to propose the question of “what do you want to get out of the experience?” Some schools are known for rigor (Darden), others are known to be more social, yet still have an incredible reputation (Kellogg). Some schools have class sizes of 900 (HBS), others 100 (Minnesota) and then even others 300 (Darden). Don’t ever judge a school by one person, but try to understand who a group of people are and what makes them tick. Think about job prospects. While Wharton and Chicago GSB are known to be finance/quant schools, you have to remember that when you’re interviewing for jobs at Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley, first and foremost, you’re competing against your classmates on campus. This means, it may be harder to get a 2nd interview with these companies. Other companies will bring students from all schools in together for second round interviews, so in a sense, you’re always competing against them too. Something to think about could be, can I get an education somewhere else that these companies recruit that still has a great reputation where I may compete against less people for finance. Something else to consider is, where do you want to live after school? I’ll be the first to admit, it’s hard to go to the West Coast from Darden given the school’s location. Is it impossible? No way!! It just means your job search may be more off grounds then others. That’s another thing to consider, how good is the career development center? MBA fairs are a great way to get a lot of material on a number of schools. I didn’t know where to start and as much as we all hate rankings, I ended up starting with them. Other considerations can be the cost of the city. I mean NYU is a great school, NYC is a fun city, but I imagine it costs more to be a student in NYC for 2 years than it costs me to be a student in Charlottesville. If you have a spouse, that could be a consideration – how many students are married, can your significant other find a job etc. I think there are many aspects to finding the right school and I hope this gives you something to think about. It’s a personal choice and it is all about the experience YOU want to have. Remember that. As far as specializing, some supposedly do, though I think they’re mostly stereotypes.
- When is the right time to take the GMAT? What is the best way to prepare for the GMAT?
If you have time when you graduate, that may be a great time to try the GMAT. I only say that because you’re still in studying mode and scores are good for 5 years (though I’m not sure what schools think about a dated GMAT score versus one that is closer to your application date). If you prefer to wait, I essentially started studying in March the year I thought I’d apply. I took the GMAT in July, researched in August and wrote essays September – November for Round 1 applications. Had I taken the GMAT earlier, I could have had more time for research, which probably would have helped. I also didn’t do many school visits and I think school visits tell you a lot about a program (though they can get expensive). Darden was the right choice for me and I knew it, so I don’t regret not visiting other schools. I can say that I didn’t realize Darden was the right program until I interviewed on campus. As for how to study, I had a number of GMAT books and studied for a couple hours a day on my own. On the weekends I would take practice tests (full length). Everyone does it differently. The official GMAT guides are great (comprehensive, verbal and quant). I also had a cliff notes refresher for algebra I, a Kaplan math book and a Princeton Review GMAT book. The key to the test in my opinion is knowing when to cut your losses. Given all the time in the world…and a calculator, we could answer all the problems perfectly. Kaplan also has an online quiz bank that costs $199 to access. Seeing that the test is all online, I bet the online quiz bank would be a great way to practice.
Here are some helpful links about GMAT, schools, information, perspectives… etc.
Clear Admit: http://blog.clearadmit.com/
Current Applicant Blogs: http://hella.opencoder.org/mba-applicant-blogs/
MBA.com: http://www.mba.com/mba
MBA Tour: http://www.thembatour.com/
Consortium: http://www.cgsm.org/
Forte Foundation (women’s organization that has some good info about getting an MBA as well as a LONGER list of resources than I have here): http://www.fortefoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=mba_main
Variety
I'm not even a week into my exchange in Sweden and I've been rather surprised about a number of things. First, the exchange students here at SSE are both masters and bachelors students. Not only are there both kinds of students, but also during orientation and all the activities we've had thus far, we're all mixed in. There's nothing that screams masters versus bachelors and at times I find myself wondering who is in which program.
Another interesting aspect of the bachelors-masters differential is that I find the US masters students to be much older than any of the other masters students. I'm not sure if that's because it's customary to have work experience of several years for enrollment into US business schools or if the master's students are in fact not MBA students but masters in finance, marketing or some other concentration.
It constantly amazes me how many different countries are represented in the exchange group. There are 87 of us in total. I have three classmates here as well, however, none of them are US born. Instead, two of them yield from India and the other from Ghana. During our first Swedish lesson, we learned how to say "I am from..." Here are some of the countries people noted: USA, Portugal, Poland, Germany, Spain, France, Holland, Pakistan, India, Italy, Romania, Denmark, Switzerland, Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hungary, Finland, the Philippines, Ireland, Belgium, and Austria. I suppose I should get to know one person from each country so I have more friends to go visit!
Everyone in the program speaks English, however, you'll definitely hear groups speaking to each other in their native tongue. It always amazes me how many languages these individuals speak. I'd say, I speak one, with a little ability to speak broken French. The girl from Switzerland speaks Swiss-German, a bit of German, some French, a little Korean, broken Spanish...and the list goes on. I still can't say more than a couple Swedish words without my helpful piece of paper. At least I've learned thank you, Tack!
Another interesting aspect of the bachelors-masters differential is that I find the US masters students to be much older than any of the other masters students. I'm not sure if that's because it's customary to have work experience of several years for enrollment into US business schools or if the master's students are in fact not MBA students but masters in finance, marketing or some other concentration.
It constantly amazes me how many different countries are represented in the exchange group. There are 87 of us in total. I have three classmates here as well, however, none of them are US born. Instead, two of them yield from India and the other from Ghana. During our first Swedish lesson, we learned how to say "I am from..." Here are some of the countries people noted: USA, Portugal, Poland, Germany, Spain, France, Holland, Pakistan, India, Italy, Romania, Denmark, Switzerland, Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hungary, Finland, the Philippines, Ireland, Belgium, and Austria. I suppose I should get to know one person from each country so I have more friends to go visit!
Everyone in the program speaks English, however, you'll definitely hear groups speaking to each other in their native tongue. It always amazes me how many languages these individuals speak. I'd say, I speak one, with a little ability to speak broken French. The girl from Switzerland speaks Swiss-German, a bit of German, some French, a little Korean, broken Spanish...and the list goes on. I still can't say more than a couple Swedish words without my helpful piece of paper. At least I've learned thank you, Tack!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Hello Stockholm!
My classmates and I managed to find our way to pick up our keys to our "dorms" today. The place is quaint and though I'm having flashbacks of my college dorm room, I like the fact that the beds are separated by a curtain. After dropping my items and snooping around, I noticed there was no toilet paper, so I set out on a quest to find food and TP.
I walked towards 7-11, only to find that they did not have what I wanted. After taking a couple turns, I continued my journey until I finally came across a Best Western. I stopped, asked for a map and then asked where I could purchase TP and groceries. Turns out, if I had initially ventured right instead of left, I would have been half a block away from a market, two in fact!
My first market trip was an experience. The breads all smelled fresh baked and absolutely delicious. The fruit looked edible, though that wasn't top of my mind. I picked up a box of "Digestives", which are some sort of British cracker my friends and I discovered in India. Next, I went looking for milk. I wish I could say this was easy. I drink skim milk at home and was looking for something comparable. I ran into the age old problem of being in a new country, everything is in SWEDISH! It makes all the sense in the world, yet makes it quite difficult for a newbie. I took at least 10 minutes until I finally settled on a milk that I presume is 0.5% fat, as far as I know, the closest thing to non-fat that the store had. I grabbed Cheerios, which boldly display Nestle instead of General Mills, as well as TP and cleaning supplies. These items were dropped back at my place, then I went to get my wireless setup. That proved to be painless.
Since then, I've been avoiding unpacking. I used Skype for the first time today and have decided it's a brilliant idea. I paid $6 for a subscription that allows me to call anywhere in the states for the month. I gave my boyfriend the grand tour of my apartment a la webcam. However, there's still something about the webcam that just makes me feel dirty, though it provided much entertainment when my boyfriend couldn't figure out how to change his video feed to show himself instead of a talking cat, dog or other furry friend (using Microsoft communicator, not Skype). Once we switched to Skype, he accented the video with snow and disco lights. There's much to be explored tomorrow and the day kicks off with orientation!
I walked towards 7-11, only to find that they did not have what I wanted. After taking a couple turns, I continued my journey until I finally came across a Best Western. I stopped, asked for a map and then asked where I could purchase TP and groceries. Turns out, if I had initially ventured right instead of left, I would have been half a block away from a market, two in fact!
My first market trip was an experience. The breads all smelled fresh baked and absolutely delicious. The fruit looked edible, though that wasn't top of my mind. I picked up a box of "Digestives", which are some sort of British cracker my friends and I discovered in India. Next, I went looking for milk. I wish I could say this was easy. I drink skim milk at home and was looking for something comparable. I ran into the age old problem of being in a new country, everything is in SWEDISH! It makes all the sense in the world, yet makes it quite difficult for a newbie. I took at least 10 minutes until I finally settled on a milk that I presume is 0.5% fat, as far as I know, the closest thing to non-fat that the store had. I grabbed Cheerios, which boldly display Nestle instead of General Mills, as well as TP and cleaning supplies. These items were dropped back at my place, then I went to get my wireless setup. That proved to be painless.
Since then, I've been avoiding unpacking. I used Skype for the first time today and have decided it's a brilliant idea. I paid $6 for a subscription that allows me to call anywhere in the states for the month. I gave my boyfriend the grand tour of my apartment a la webcam. However, there's still something about the webcam that just makes me feel dirty, though it provided much entertainment when my boyfriend couldn't figure out how to change his video feed to show himself instead of a talking cat, dog or other furry friend (using Microsoft communicator, not Skype). Once we switched to Skype, he accented the video with snow and disco lights. There's much to be explored tomorrow and the day kicks off with orientation!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Moving is Expensive
I suppose I am in a different situation than many of my classmates. I've lived at home with my family for the last four years and conversely, I seem to have more and less to move. Some people hire movers, others pack up their car and drive across the country and a third group simply brings a few suitcases and sets up shop when they arrive. I suppose I land in the third category by default. My furniture pre and post college has been the same and won't be dragged across the country with me. My car on the other hand will make the long trek via auto transport. Though it means less time in the car, it also means less stuff in the car. I found a company for a decent price who will let me pack 75-100 lbs in my car, but that's a STRICT limit. Of course with gas prices, hotel costs, food, time and wear/tear, it doesn't make sense for me to drive anyhow.
Next, I keep trying to figure out WHAT to pack. I know I can leave stuff here on a semi permanent basis as I think my mother still hopes I will return after school. (Unfortunately, I have no intention of doing so.) But of course comes the thought, I want ... and it's still in California. I don't recall having those thoughts in Colorado, but I basically took my life with me. There are simplicities that I want/need in Virginia. My iHome and I have become good friends, but is it worth it to hull it with me or should I simply buy a new one, which leads me to the entire topic, MOVING IS EXPENSIVE.
It's not just a matter of what to move, but also what is simply worth purchasing on the other side of the country. I have a list of bare necessities that I need to purchase. For starters, it'd be nice to have a bed, some pillows and a down comforter (I've already picked out my duvet cover). A desk will be essential as I plan to study a bit harder than I did in college and I'm sure a dresser will be another personal requirement. Next comes the little luxuries, though essentials in my life. I love electronics, which can get expensive on it's own. After a year of research I purchased myself a nice plasma TV as a belated graduation present. It doesn't exactly make sense to bring it or leave it and it surely isn't shippable without the original packaging, IMO. Indeed, the distance where you are today should not dictate the schools you consider, but I can't help but wonder if some are slightly better off financially by not having to move.
Next, I keep trying to figure out WHAT to pack. I know I can leave stuff here on a semi permanent basis as I think my mother still hopes I will return after school. (Unfortunately, I have no intention of doing so.) But of course comes the thought, I want ... and it's still in California. I don't recall having those thoughts in Colorado, but I basically took my life with me. There are simplicities that I want/need in Virginia. My iHome and I have become good friends, but is it worth it to hull it with me or should I simply buy a new one, which leads me to the entire topic, MOVING IS EXPENSIVE.
It's not just a matter of what to move, but also what is simply worth purchasing on the other side of the country. I have a list of bare necessities that I need to purchase. For starters, it'd be nice to have a bed, some pillows and a down comforter (I've already picked out my duvet cover). A desk will be essential as I plan to study a bit harder than I did in college and I'm sure a dresser will be another personal requirement. Next comes the little luxuries, though essentials in my life. I love electronics, which can get expensive on it's own. After a year of research I purchased myself a nice plasma TV as a belated graduation present. It doesn't exactly make sense to bring it or leave it and it surely isn't shippable without the original packaging, IMO. Indeed, the distance where you are today should not dictate the schools you consider, but I can't help but wonder if some are slightly better off financially by not having to move.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I'm a Wee Bit Late
Just wanted to say THANKS to ClearAdmit and the gang for nominating me for Best of Blogging 2008! I had seen the images on some current student posts, but never thought I'd be in for the running! THANKS! :)
Also, if you haven't used ClearAdmit's blog or Wiki, you're missing out as both have incredibly valuable information.
Also, if you haven't used ClearAdmit's blog or Wiki, you're missing out as both have incredibly valuable information.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Rankings
Is it just me or do you ever get sick of the rankings? The schools to which I applied were chosen based on more than what some magazine, website or book said. I did attend an HBS information session and I wasn't impressed. At an MBA tour, I walked into a UCLA and USC chat, I left the UCLA chat halfway through. It wasn't for me. Duke was also on my radar, but in the end, didn't give me butterflies. There are a handful of programs I didn't even bother in investigate - Stern, Tepper, Notre Dame, Yale, Chicago etc... It doesn't make them bad programs, I just made a choice early on and decided they weren't for me. I don't believe that is good or bad, it just is.
What is the "best" school for one person may not be for the next. Yes, they talk about fit and as we write our thoughts into 500 word essays we chuckle to ourselves, what the heck is fit? But in the end, I believe there's more merit to the concept than many of us give credit. It's important to feel comfortable in all aspects of the school, so that you never look back with, I should have.
Because of the rankings, I do believe schools build reputations and I do believe doors are opened, however, I want to be able to open some of my own doors. Yes, an MBA from the top 5 will lift eyebrows from anyone in or out of the MBA business. That's nice, but I would hope that I'm also chosen for a position based on my own aptitude. It sounds a bit silly huh? It's like those girls obsessed with Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana etc... at the end of the day, it's just a brand. None of schools that sit in ranks 10-20 or even 20-30 think themselves as a second tier school and I'm sure none of the attendees think that way either.
I guess what I'm saying is sometimes I think we're too focused on the numbers - rankings, GMAT score, age, years of work experience etc. There are a handful of candidates that attend business school immediately after college and another handful that wait until they are 50. There are so many other factors that make more sense than who someone else thinks is the best.
What is the "best" school for one person may not be for the next. Yes, they talk about fit and as we write our thoughts into 500 word essays we chuckle to ourselves, what the heck is fit? But in the end, I believe there's more merit to the concept than many of us give credit. It's important to feel comfortable in all aspects of the school, so that you never look back with, I should have.
Because of the rankings, I do believe schools build reputations and I do believe doors are opened, however, I want to be able to open some of my own doors. Yes, an MBA from the top 5 will lift eyebrows from anyone in or out of the MBA business. That's nice, but I would hope that I'm also chosen for a position based on my own aptitude. It sounds a bit silly huh? It's like those girls obsessed with Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana etc... at the end of the day, it's just a brand. None of schools that sit in ranks 10-20 or even 20-30 think themselves as a second tier school and I'm sure none of the attendees think that way either.
I guess what I'm saying is sometimes I think we're too focused on the numbers - rankings, GMAT score, age, years of work experience etc. There are a handful of candidates that attend business school immediately after college and another handful that wait until they are 50. There are so many other factors that make more sense than who someone else thinks is the best.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Stop Looking
I promise, I'm going to stop looking, but it's so hard! The market is crazed with sellers as JP Morgan announced yesterday that they will purchase Bear Stearns for $2 dollars a share. TWO DOLLARS?!? Are you kidding me? Bear is one of the largest securities firms in the world and it's being sold as a micro cap stock. On its plunge from $26 a share, it's taken the market with it, hence, I NEED to stop looking at my portfolio. I feel like a pin cushion and the needles are coming from all directions. Perhaps, it's hard to avoid the market as I do work in the industry. My dad and I spoke at dinner last night about our thoughts on the economy and what it means for the world. It's difficult because we guess about 10% of the population truly understands what's happening and it seems those 10% still don't know what to do about it. On some level, I'm extremely happy that I applied to business school this year because next year, there will likely be more applicants and another very strong pool.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Swag
As mbabound said, we're totally drinking the kool-aid! I returned home from the movies last night to a box outside my door, after pondering if I had ordered anything lately, I looked at the return address, "Mail from Virginia." I had read on the DardenPortal that people had received a package from Darden. At first, I thought maybe it was only sent to students who couldn't attend Day@Darden as I hadn't received one, but I was wrong. More swag! (I now know where my application fee went. ha!) Enclosed was a Darden mug and black leader portfolio with the school logo stamped in silver. Classy. Among the items in the box, the t-shirt and Darden USB flash drive from Day@Darden, my favorite item isn't anything material. It was the letter enclosed in my box from Dean Brunner and the leadership team, which talked about Darden as a relational school versus a transactional school. I sat there for a moment and thought, this is exactly why I applied and will attend Darden.
Do all schools send boxes of swag?
Do all schools send boxes of swag?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Day@Darden
I feel like I'm walking on water and I'm not quite sure if this recap will do Day@Darden any justice. I've been home for a little less than 5 hours and I think I have caught up on all my email. So here it goes...
Thursday morning I caught a flight from SFO to IAD (Dulles), which was uneventful, but given that I didn't immediately receive a seat assignment, I was a bit worried about how the day was going to go. Luckily, this was not indicative of the rest of the afternoon. Avis rent-a-car was a breeze and by 5 pm I was on the road to C'ville. I chose to stay with a student host to get the full experience, though I was a bit concerned about how our personalities would mesh. My rational was, it's only two days. My student host, Elise, and I exchanged emails before I left home and I had planned to meet with a handful of current Darden students for dinner before heading over to her house. Dinner was at a local joint called Wild Wings. It's sportsbar-like and had plenty of room for the 30 of us there. I didn't meet a lot of admitted students, but spoke at length with a current first and second years. All had positive things to say about Darden and were willing to answer any questions I had, however I couldn't think of any.
After dinner I went to Elise's, which is located in Huntington Village. She had warned me that she'd have people over for pre-TNDC (Thursday Night Drinking Club). I walked in to a living room of about 15 people, the majority of them male. I was quickly informed that the diversity was not a good representation of Darden, but the male to female ratio was. Elise did not like the venue picked for TNDC, but her friend Steve would not let me miss the experience, so I left with a key and a handful of second years. We stopped by Buddhist Biker Bar (TNDC's designated bar for the night) where I met more people from various years as well as an admitted student and future classmate, Leah. After Buddhist, we ventured to Three, which is located on the Corner and included a mix of Darden and UVA undergrads. Dancing ensued and around 1 am it was time to head home as Friday would be a very busy day.
I wish I could say I jumped out of bed when my alarm sounded, but instead I continued to sleep on the comfy couch until Elise woke me at 7:30 am. I was on grounds (note, it isn't called campus) by 8 am where I quickly picked up my bag of SWAG and headed to the NAWMBA (National Association of Women MBAs) brunch. I sat next to a professor who seems to be a favorite of all and with 40 years under his belt, I'm sure he has some stories. An alumni speaker who works at the World Bank spoke of the work-life balance, females in the working world, and another topic I don't recall. Immediately following breakfast, we had learning team simulation. None of us had opened our bags, so we were surprised to find we had a case in our packet. We took a few minutes to read it and shared our thoughts. Our second year coach showed us how we would crack the case together, though without a computer we simply had to envision the result. (It was financial/Excel based.)
Next, we attended First Coffee, which is where I started to bond with fellow classmates. Rongling, another admitted student and I hit it off. It's amazing to hear the backgrounds of future classmates, born in China, grew up in Africa, or living in London - I know I have my own story to share, but as someone who has lived the majority of her life in SF, it's a different experience. But as I say, I'm collecting couches and these are the people I plan to visit. The rotunda was filled with people from all years including faculty for First Cofee. It reminded me of homeroom or recess from HS. Plus, free coffee, tea or hot cocoa is not a bad reason to congregate in the rotunda.
DA (Decision Analysis) class followed where we got to witness case study in action, not just any case study though, the one we had reviewed in our learning team simulation. The person who was asked to present the case came ill prepared, which definitely irked the professor, though he didn't let up. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be in student's shoes. It was very interesting and the conversation was intriguing, yet had to be cut short as they chose the candidates for Darden's Luckiest Student. We learned that students do not talk about cases between classes even though someone may have DA at 8 am and another person at 10am. This further enforces Darden's honor code. Exams are also take home with an allowed 8 hour window in which you're only allowed to use 5 hours for completion. Again, all on your honor.
We had a SHORT 15 minute break to sign up for brunch on Saturday morning and speak with financial aid officers and the like. This is where I finally met Rahul, who I had exchanged messages with before C'Ville. I think we're going to be good friends.
Next up, Strategy Class visit, which was a presentation by Dean Bruner discussing the difficulties Darden has in conjunction with globalization and competing with other top MBA programs, of which none were specifically named. This is the most transparent you will likely ever see a school. The Dean asked the student perception on the challenges that Darden faces as globalization ensues as well as what the community can do about it. How does Darden become more recognized around the globe instead of just well respected in the MBA world? We were asked for a story placed in 2018 on how Darden has evolved in the last 10 years and what steps Darden took to get there. Absolutely incredible and definitely hits a lot of admits and future applicants reservations on matriculating into a lessor known program in the world.
The day didn't stop, subsequently, we had lunch with Darden faculty. I'll admit, I didn't talk much as I was extremely hungry at this point. It was time to simply listen. Good conversation and great insights continued. I also ran into Michael Woodfolk, the alumni coordinator for Darden who I met at the SF reception in September of last year. He was extremely excited to see me in C'ville!
The Question and Answer session following lunch hit on subjects such as financial aid, student affairs, career development, and an introduction by the associate Dean. I'll admit, I was ready for a breather by the end of the presentation and thus, was given an entire hour before the next scheduled event. I took the time to purchase a ball cap from the student store and change into business attire for dinner. By the time I returned, Cold Call was in full swing. Cold call is where they have snacks and beer in the PepsiCo Forum. Again, more time to socialize and attempt to connect faces and names. I met so many people and I can only recall a small handful. At 7:15p the bus picked us up for dinner, which was held at Boar's Head Inn.
Boar's Head Inn had an open bar in the back, of which we all took advantage. At the close of this long day, a cocktail was welcomed. Seating for dinner was open, so everyone grabbed a friend and chose a table. Our table quickly bonded and the lot of us discussed the night's activities. Dinner was delicious and we all left with our bellies full and a few new friends. I was happy that dinner encompassed more prospective students than current students. It gave us a chance to get to know each other, which is what this day was about in my opinion. I attended Day@Darden because you never know who you will meet or how you will sway their decision one way or another. Each person often asked where you were in your Darden decision and seeing I turned in my deposit on Friday, you could say, I already signed the dotted line. Rahul said he was 98% sure he'd attend, but I quickly corrected him and told him he wasn't allowed to go anywhere else. ;)
Some went home immediately after dinner to catch up on sleep they had yet to get. The other group headed to X-Lounge for the LASA event. It was all Darden students and again a very friendly atmosphere. A group of 6 of us shared stories for a while. I also hung out with my new found 2Y friends, however they will be gone next year. Jim, a Colorado Grad who I met during my interview was happy to see another Colorado Alum at Darden. If you've read my small world stories previously, here's another one for you. Jim lived with a guy in Boulder in the same complex in which I lived for 3 years. Granted, we were there at different times, but the guy with whom he lived, Craig, owned the place next door to my condo and thus was also my neighbor for three years. Turns out they're still good friends and so I passed on a Hello. Small world!
I decided to forgo brunch on Saturday and was happy seeing I slept in. Elise, her roommate Chun, and I spent a good hour gabbing about Darden - the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is nothing that turned me off about the program or the people. They simply mentioned relationship logistics (or the normal gossip - who is together, was together, is married, was married etc), which you'll likely find in any MBA program. Elise said this was the best decision she's ever made, and I believe it. I slipped out shortly before 3 pm and headed to DC for the rest of my weekend festivities, which will be in another post. A wonderful 2 days in C'ville.
My novel is now complete. I'm very excited for the upcoming months and the next two years. I have found my fit at Darden. Please feel free to ask any questions, I'll answer them to the best of my ability. I can't explain how much help the current students have been and every time they hear you're an admitted student, they give you a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS! Dean Bruner even mentioned that for each seat in round 1, there were 9 applicants competing. Very competitive this year.
Off to bed, work will be early tomorrow.
Thursday morning I caught a flight from SFO to IAD (Dulles), which was uneventful, but given that I didn't immediately receive a seat assignment, I was a bit worried about how the day was going to go. Luckily, this was not indicative of the rest of the afternoon. Avis rent-a-car was a breeze and by 5 pm I was on the road to C'ville. I chose to stay with a student host to get the full experience, though I was a bit concerned about how our personalities would mesh. My rational was, it's only two days. My student host, Elise, and I exchanged emails before I left home and I had planned to meet with a handful of current Darden students for dinner before heading over to her house. Dinner was at a local joint called Wild Wings. It's sportsbar-like and had plenty of room for the 30 of us there. I didn't meet a lot of admitted students, but spoke at length with a current first and second years. All had positive things to say about Darden and were willing to answer any questions I had, however I couldn't think of any.
After dinner I went to Elise's, which is located in Huntington Village. She had warned me that she'd have people over for pre-TNDC (Thursday Night Drinking Club). I walked in to a living room of about 15 people, the majority of them male. I was quickly informed that the diversity was not a good representation of Darden, but the male to female ratio was. Elise did not like the venue picked for TNDC, but her friend Steve would not let me miss the experience, so I left with a key and a handful of second years. We stopped by Buddhist Biker Bar (TNDC's designated bar for the night) where I met more people from various years as well as an admitted student and future classmate, Leah. After Buddhist, we ventured to Three, which is located on the Corner and included a mix of Darden and UVA undergrads. Dancing ensued and around 1 am it was time to head home as Friday would be a very busy day.
I wish I could say I jumped out of bed when my alarm sounded, but instead I continued to sleep on the comfy couch until Elise woke me at 7:30 am. I was on grounds (note, it isn't called campus) by 8 am where I quickly picked up my bag of SWAG and headed to the NAWMBA (National Association of Women MBAs) brunch. I sat next to a professor who seems to be a favorite of all and with 40 years under his belt, I'm sure he has some stories. An alumni speaker who works at the World Bank spoke of the work-life balance, females in the working world, and another topic I don't recall. Immediately following breakfast, we had learning team simulation. None of us had opened our bags, so we were surprised to find we had a case in our packet. We took a few minutes to read it and shared our thoughts. Our second year coach showed us how we would crack the case together, though without a computer we simply had to envision the result. (It was financial/Excel based.)
Next, we attended First Coffee, which is where I started to bond with fellow classmates. Rongling, another admitted student and I hit it off. It's amazing to hear the backgrounds of future classmates, born in China, grew up in Africa, or living in London - I know I have my own story to share, but as someone who has lived the majority of her life in SF, it's a different experience. But as I say, I'm collecting couches and these are the people I plan to visit. The rotunda was filled with people from all years including faculty for First Cofee. It reminded me of homeroom or recess from HS. Plus, free coffee, tea or hot cocoa is not a bad reason to congregate in the rotunda.
DA (Decision Analysis) class followed where we got to witness case study in action, not just any case study though, the one we had reviewed in our learning team simulation. The person who was asked to present the case came ill prepared, which definitely irked the professor, though he didn't let up. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be in student's shoes. It was very interesting and the conversation was intriguing, yet had to be cut short as they chose the candidates for Darden's Luckiest Student. We learned that students do not talk about cases between classes even though someone may have DA at 8 am and another person at 10am. This further enforces Darden's honor code. Exams are also take home with an allowed 8 hour window in which you're only allowed to use 5 hours for completion. Again, all on your honor.
We had a SHORT 15 minute break to sign up for brunch on Saturday morning and speak with financial aid officers and the like. This is where I finally met Rahul, who I had exchanged messages with before C'Ville. I think we're going to be good friends.
Next up, Strategy Class visit, which was a presentation by Dean Bruner discussing the difficulties Darden has in conjunction with globalization and competing with other top MBA programs, of which none were specifically named. This is the most transparent you will likely ever see a school. The Dean asked the student perception on the challenges that Darden faces as globalization ensues as well as what the community can do about it. How does Darden become more recognized around the globe instead of just well respected in the MBA world? We were asked for a story placed in 2018 on how Darden has evolved in the last 10 years and what steps Darden took to get there. Absolutely incredible and definitely hits a lot of admits and future applicants reservations on matriculating into a lessor known program in the world.
The day didn't stop, subsequently, we had lunch with Darden faculty. I'll admit, I didn't talk much as I was extremely hungry at this point. It was time to simply listen. Good conversation and great insights continued. I also ran into Michael Woodfolk, the alumni coordinator for Darden who I met at the SF reception in September of last year. He was extremely excited to see me in C'ville!
The Question and Answer session following lunch hit on subjects such as financial aid, student affairs, career development, and an introduction by the associate Dean. I'll admit, I was ready for a breather by the end of the presentation and thus, was given an entire hour before the next scheduled event. I took the time to purchase a ball cap from the student store and change into business attire for dinner. By the time I returned, Cold Call was in full swing. Cold call is where they have snacks and beer in the PepsiCo Forum. Again, more time to socialize and attempt to connect faces and names. I met so many people and I can only recall a small handful. At 7:15p the bus picked us up for dinner, which was held at Boar's Head Inn.
Boar's Head Inn had an open bar in the back, of which we all took advantage. At the close of this long day, a cocktail was welcomed. Seating for dinner was open, so everyone grabbed a friend and chose a table. Our table quickly bonded and the lot of us discussed the night's activities. Dinner was delicious and we all left with our bellies full and a few new friends. I was happy that dinner encompassed more prospective students than current students. It gave us a chance to get to know each other, which is what this day was about in my opinion. I attended Day@Darden because you never know who you will meet or how you will sway their decision one way or another. Each person often asked where you were in your Darden decision and seeing I turned in my deposit on Friday, you could say, I already signed the dotted line. Rahul said he was 98% sure he'd attend, but I quickly corrected him and told him he wasn't allowed to go anywhere else. ;)
Some went home immediately after dinner to catch up on sleep they had yet to get. The other group headed to X-Lounge for the LASA event. It was all Darden students and again a very friendly atmosphere. A group of 6 of us shared stories for a while. I also hung out with my new found 2Y friends, however they will be gone next year. Jim, a Colorado Grad who I met during my interview was happy to see another Colorado Alum at Darden. If you've read my small world stories previously, here's another one for you. Jim lived with a guy in Boulder in the same complex in which I lived for 3 years. Granted, we were there at different times, but the guy with whom he lived, Craig, owned the place next door to my condo and thus was also my neighbor for three years. Turns out they're still good friends and so I passed on a Hello. Small world!
I decided to forgo brunch on Saturday and was happy seeing I slept in. Elise, her roommate Chun, and I spent a good hour gabbing about Darden - the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is nothing that turned me off about the program or the people. They simply mentioned relationship logistics (or the normal gossip - who is together, was together, is married, was married etc), which you'll likely find in any MBA program. Elise said this was the best decision she's ever made, and I believe it. I slipped out shortly before 3 pm and headed to DC for the rest of my weekend festivities, which will be in another post. A wonderful 2 days in C'ville.
My novel is now complete. I'm very excited for the upcoming months and the next two years. I have found my fit at Darden. Please feel free to ask any questions, I'll answer them to the best of my ability. I can't explain how much help the current students have been and every time they hear you're an admitted student, they give you a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS! Dean Bruner even mentioned that for each seat in round 1, there were 9 applicants competing. Very competitive this year.
Off to bed, work will be early tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Full Throttle
It's Wednesday, and I'm not exactly sure how it became Wednesday. Yes, I know Wednesday is the day after Tuesday, but it seems my days have been packed leaving the house slightly before 7 am and returning between 6p and 10p. Last night I finally slept, which was definitely needed, but has left me a handful of tasks to complete. Today looks like this: work, haircut, chiropractor, Earthquakes (soccer) exhibition game, pack and get ready for C'Ville/DC.
I've rented a car, yay! At least that is done. Early this week I was contacted with the name of my student host on whose couch I will crash for 2 days. Part of me thought I should forgo the couch surfing and rent a hotel, but seeing I don't plan to spend much time sleeping, the hotel would likely be a waste of funds. Additionally, this way I may partake in TNDC (Thursday Night Drinking Club), a movie night with current students and a Carnival celebration sponsored by the Latin America club. Not to mention, I still have class visits, breakfast with the NAWMBA, a speech by the dean, various presentations and dinner with alum at Boar's Head Inn. It's going to be a busy 2 days! After C'Ville, I celebrate with Mack in DC until I return on Monday.
Now I need to figure out what I'm going to pack! Attire needed: Casual, business casual, business and going out (for DC). Hmmmm ...
I've rented a car, yay! At least that is done. Early this week I was contacted with the name of my student host on whose couch I will crash for 2 days. Part of me thought I should forgo the couch surfing and rent a hotel, but seeing I don't plan to spend much time sleeping, the hotel would likely be a waste of funds. Additionally, this way I may partake in TNDC (Thursday Night Drinking Club), a movie night with current students and a Carnival celebration sponsored by the Latin America club. Not to mention, I still have class visits, breakfast with the NAWMBA, a speech by the dean, various presentations and dinner with alum at Boar's Head Inn. It's going to be a busy 2 days! After C'Ville, I celebrate with Mack in DC until I return on Monday.
Now I need to figure out what I'm going to pack! Attire needed: Casual, business casual, business and going out (for DC). Hmmmm ...
Monday, February 04, 2008
Logistics and such
It's 10 o'clock and I have yet to eat anything. I've been at work 3 hours and feel more human than I did yesterday, however, my cold, even after 2 weeks, has worsened. Can you tell I had a good celebratory weekend?
Logistics: Where to begin?
Day@Darden is in 2 weeks and I'm still trying to figure out if it is feasible to go based on costs and time off work. Granted, I was just in C'ville, but I think it would be nice to meet some of my fellow classmates and get to know more about the 1st years I will be joining. Additionally, information on housing would help the stress of moving. I'm likely to live on campus, but I'm not sure how much room is available. And I do plan on bringing my car with me, which seems to be another hassle with the VA DMV. Cheers.
Next, the job. I likely decided many moons ago that I wasn't going to be here through July. Though the thought of the bonus is tempting, I always wanted to travel the summer before business school and this is my chance. I spoke with a friend yesterday who wants to go to Prague and travel Europe for two weeks. He's a buddy from college, thinking about business school, who is simply great company, so I may take him up on the offer. Another friend wants to travel Europe for 2 weeks as well, and she would be a blast. Lastly, there is someone else interested in South America for a few weeks. Maybe I really could go around the world. ;) Another thought was to connect with future classmates or b-school students and try to set up travel. Obviously still some planning on that front.
I have logged in and connected with a few people on the DardenPortal who I met while in C'ville for my interview. I've decided Darden is brilliant for requiring on campus interviews. DardenPortal is similar to a facebook/myspace, but just for Darden students. You're automatically connected to all admitted students through a group as well as admits in your region. There are additional groups based of post-grad interests and you can create your own groups - I started one for Soccer. Go fig, huh? It's fun to see where people went to school, where they live, what their career interests are, and some of us have already added photos. Friend requests are possible, although the UI could be better. I've also decided the Portal doesn't like long email messages as I ran into some hiccups trying to respond to someone - I get a little longwinded sometimes. ;) Either way, it's a great idea and I'm guessing most schools have some sort of community like this. I thought about making a facebook group for the Darden class of 2010, but perhaps I should slowdown a bit.
It's time to find some food and perhaps focus on some work... Hope everyone has a GREAT day!!
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams
Logistics: Where to begin?
Day@Darden is in 2 weeks and I'm still trying to figure out if it is feasible to go based on costs and time off work. Granted, I was just in C'ville, but I think it would be nice to meet some of my fellow classmates and get to know more about the 1st years I will be joining. Additionally, information on housing would help the stress of moving. I'm likely to live on campus, but I'm not sure how much room is available. And I do plan on bringing my car with me, which seems to be another hassle with the VA DMV. Cheers.
Next, the job. I likely decided many moons ago that I wasn't going to be here through July. Though the thought of the bonus is tempting, I always wanted to travel the summer before business school and this is my chance. I spoke with a friend yesterday who wants to go to Prague and travel Europe for two weeks. He's a buddy from college, thinking about business school, who is simply great company, so I may take him up on the offer. Another friend wants to travel Europe for 2 weeks as well, and she would be a blast. Lastly, there is someone else interested in South America for a few weeks. Maybe I really could go around the world. ;) Another thought was to connect with future classmates or b-school students and try to set up travel. Obviously still some planning on that front.
I have logged in and connected with a few people on the DardenPortal who I met while in C'ville for my interview. I've decided Darden is brilliant for requiring on campus interviews. DardenPortal is similar to a facebook/myspace, but just for Darden students. You're automatically connected to all admitted students through a group as well as admits in your region. There are additional groups based of post-grad interests and you can create your own groups - I started one for Soccer. Go fig, huh? It's fun to see where people went to school, where they live, what their career interests are, and some of us have already added photos. Friend requests are possible, although the UI could be better. I've also decided the Portal doesn't like long email messages as I ran into some hiccups trying to respond to someone - I get a little longwinded sometimes. ;) Either way, it's a great idea and I'm guessing most schools have some sort of community like this. I thought about making a facebook group for the Darden class of 2010, but perhaps I should slowdown a bit.
It's time to find some food and perhaps focus on some work... Hope everyone has a GREAT day!!
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams
Friday, February 01, 2008
Outed
It's hard for me to focus on work today, yet I can't tell if it's the excitement or incessant headache I have. Everyone has started to ask questions and I'm on information overload. First decision: Stay at my job through the end of April or middle of July? Hmm...pros and cons to each. I have always wanted to journey around the world before business school, but as I think of the finances and logistics, I wonder if that's the right path. My bosses posted the job description almost immediately after they heard my news. Yes, it's exciting and I realize it will take time to fill my shoes, but a part of me is unnerved. I haven't even decided when I'm leaving!
On the other hand, my parents are asking about costs. They have offered to help support me during my 2 year sabbatical from the working world so that I'm not completely under water on the other side. For this, I'm VERY fortunate and lucky, I recognize that, however, I have problems accepting the help. I know I shouldn't as I still live at home, but I do. I don't want restrictions on what I do or what decisions I make and for some reason, I feel as if that's what financial dependency is. Hence, I learn towards staying at work and getting my next bonus.
In my personal life, I have commitments through the end of May and possibly longer, though I'm unsure because my women's soccer season hasn't even begun. Additionally, what the hell would I do with so much free time?! I'd almost be tempted to get a part time job so I don't become incredibly lazy. I suppose I just feel like I'm being replaced already and I still have six months until I move. Likewise, I haven't even received my acceptance package. Is it happy hour yet?
On the other hand, my parents are asking about costs. They have offered to help support me during my 2 year sabbatical from the working world so that I'm not completely under water on the other side. For this, I'm VERY fortunate and lucky, I recognize that, however, I have problems accepting the help. I know I shouldn't as I still live at home, but I do. I don't want restrictions on what I do or what decisions I make and for some reason, I feel as if that's what financial dependency is. Hence, I learn towards staying at work and getting my next bonus.
In my personal life, I have commitments through the end of May and possibly longer, though I'm unsure because my women's soccer season hasn't even begun. Additionally, what the hell would I do with so much free time?! I'd almost be tempted to get a part time job so I don't become incredibly lazy. I suppose I just feel like I'm being replaced already and I still have six months until I move. Likewise, I haven't even received my acceptance package. Is it happy hour yet?
ADMITTED AT DARDEN!!!
I don't think I've stopped to catch my breath as I read CONGRATULATIONS a few hours ago. I've been to San Francisco and back for a beer with some teammates to celebrate Tim's birthday. I tried not to steal the thunder, but couldn't settle down long enough to sit in a chair. I'm so happy I'm on the verge of tears - happy tears. 10 Months of hard work has finally paid off, with two dings, one wait list, and now an admit to my number one school, I can't explain how much this means.
I've had the pleasure of making some friends along the way, and I'm hoping, these people will soon be classmates. If not, I look forward to hearing about their adventures in business school. I'm still in shock. I realize I have a lot of logistics to figure out in the coming weeks, namely, when do I leave my job, but until then, I pause, smile, and prepare for a weekend of CELEBRATION!
Thanks to all who have been there on my journey. From family and friends who listen to my complaints, to my sacred reviewers, generous recommenders, and fabulous blog readers. I couldn't have gotten through this without you! :D
Signing off, I need to rest up for an intense weekend. I'll write more when I actually catch my breath.
I've had the pleasure of making some friends along the way, and I'm hoping, these people will soon be classmates. If not, I look forward to hearing about their adventures in business school. I'm still in shock. I realize I have a lot of logistics to figure out in the coming weeks, namely, when do I leave my job, but until then, I pause, smile, and prepare for a weekend of CELEBRATION!
Thanks to all who have been there on my journey. From family and friends who listen to my complaints, to my sacred reviewers, generous recommenders, and fabulous blog readers. I couldn't have gotten through this without you! :D
Signing off, I need to rest up for an intense weekend. I'll write more when I actually catch my breath.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Waiting... waiting
My heart is racing and I'm antsy. I returned home to a message on my phone from Wendy Huber of Darden. All it said was, please call me back. Hmmm... I can only anticipate that this is a good sign as I don't think schools call people unless they are being admitted, however, I have to wait a few more hours to find out for certain. I almost had tears run down my cheeks as I told my mom that I THINK I got into Darden. Can't I fast forward time a bit...?
Thoughts are running through my mind - travels, the wedding I'm in, work, quitting, etc... I guess I need to be patient. Maybe a cocktail will help.
Thoughts are running through my mind - travels, the wedding I'm in, work, quitting, etc... I guess I need to be patient. Maybe a cocktail will help.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Status
I must have checked my email over a dozen times yesterday, I checked again this morning, and nothing. I started to wonder why schools have deadlines if they don't stick to them. Thus, I signed on to the Georgetown website looking for a sign - of any sort. When I scrolled ALL THE WAY to the end of the homepage, I saw, your decision is available. Did I actually miss this when I checked yesterday?? I'm not sure, but maybe it doesn't matter. I opened the letter looking for the final words, but found that instead, I'm being offered a place on their WAITING LIST. I suppose it's better than an outright ding and maybe my essays made up for what I feel was my worst interview. Though honestly, I'm a bit perplexed and am not sure how I feel at this moment. My mood is almost that of a person who shrugs their shoulders and takes a step forward. This is not timely considering my job would like more definite answers, however, I can't provide them. Crossing my fingers that the last one works out. Cheers.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Passion
My review went well today. Bonus - Check. Raise - Check. Positive comments - check, check. But then we started discussing what's on the horizon. Indeed, my bosses would love for me to stay, however, they also support me in my decisions. I was asked if I would consider staying if business school doesn't work out this year, and in turn, they would help frame my position in a manner to make me a stronger candidate next year. The offer is great, though, I don't want to be in operations anymore. I mentioned I needed to find my true passion.
I have always loved numbers, but shied away from being an accountant. I like puzzles and putting the pieces together - or finding the missing piece. Perhaps this is the reason consulting interests me. Corporate finance is another realm I haven't discounted, but I'm not exactly sure how to break into corporate finance without starting from the bottom again. ...I like my salary a little more than that. I've contemplated taking the next year and applying to a few consulting firms if things with school don't work out, but then that may postpone school for too long. It may be bad to say, but I am a woman and as much as I want a high profile career, it'd be nice to have a family as well. This is something I'd like to do before the family.
Can you tell I'm avoiding work today?
What are you passionate about?
I have always loved numbers, but shied away from being an accountant. I like puzzles and putting the pieces together - or finding the missing piece. Perhaps this is the reason consulting interests me. Corporate finance is another realm I haven't discounted, but I'm not exactly sure how to break into corporate finance without starting from the bottom again. ...I like my salary a little more than that. I've contemplated taking the next year and applying to a few consulting firms if things with school don't work out, but then that may postpone school for too long. It may be bad to say, but I am a woman and as much as I want a high profile career, it'd be nice to have a family as well. This is something I'd like to do before the family.
Can you tell I'm avoiding work today?
What are you passionate about?
Tick-Tock
I'm not sure what made me think that I'd awake with a status update in my inbox. Perhaps, it is because today is decision day and logically I thought, they'd update the system at 12:01 am. But no, it ain't so. The weird dreams woke me sometime between 12 am and 6 am. I realize that's a wide window, but I forced myself back to sleep without looking at the clock. The dreams were pleasant and I'm hoping that's some indication of the route for my day.
Additionally, I have my semi-annual review today. It was postponed from yesterday as the morning got away from us. I'm not exactly sure what to say. Part of me would like to say I'd leave this joint with or without an admit, but I'm too loyal and too committed. I'd have to find something that truly interests me to leave as much as I'm ready. A client called today and through the grape vine had heard of my aspirations, he said he was happy for me, but that he and the firm would be sad when I leave. It's nice to hear the appreciation, but doesn't make hard decisions easy.
I slipped on my way out to dinner last night. Apparently our front stairs are incredibly slick when wet, ouch! I didn't fall, but caught myself mid-slide and ever since, my knee has bothered me. This doesn't bode well for the 4 scheduled soccer games this weekend. We'll see how tonight goes. Not to mention, I'm still wrestling with hip injuries. Argh, just can't win there. Current considerations are investing in pilates or a chiropractor. Maybe even both!
I browsed the BW Forum for the first time today. I know, scary. Ok, maybe not the first first, but the first time I've actually gone searching for word from schools. Some have heard good news, which is pleasant, but it doesn't make the clock move any faster. Tick...tock.
Additionally, I have my semi-annual review today. It was postponed from yesterday as the morning got away from us. I'm not exactly sure what to say. Part of me would like to say I'd leave this joint with or without an admit, but I'm too loyal and too committed. I'd have to find something that truly interests me to leave as much as I'm ready. A client called today and through the grape vine had heard of my aspirations, he said he was happy for me, but that he and the firm would be sad when I leave. It's nice to hear the appreciation, but doesn't make hard decisions easy.
I slipped on my way out to dinner last night. Apparently our front stairs are incredibly slick when wet, ouch! I didn't fall, but caught myself mid-slide and ever since, my knee has bothered me. This doesn't bode well for the 4 scheduled soccer games this weekend. We'll see how tonight goes. Not to mention, I'm still wrestling with hip injuries. Argh, just can't win there. Current considerations are investing in pilates or a chiropractor. Maybe even both!
I browsed the BW Forum for the first time today. I know, scary. Ok, maybe not the first first, but the first time I've actually gone searching for word from schools. Some have heard good news, which is pleasant, but it doesn't make the clock move any faster. Tick...tock.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Mid-day Funeral
If I were to say it hasn't been a roller coaster day, I would definitely be lying. Though I had the day off on Monday, it was confirmed, I lost the battle against the cold I had been fighting all weekend. Tuesday was like any other Tuesday that feels like Monday - work, home, meeting, and home again. Even if I tried, I wouldn't have made it to bed by 10 pm as I arrived home only moments before that hour. Given my health status, I still proceeded to attend work at 7 am this morning, which had me a bit perplexed as I read earnings reports from two of my holdings which gave me the most substantial profits of last year. There they go. I still wonder if I should sell, but remind myself that I am a longterm investor.
I was supposed to leave at 8 am sharp, but walked out the door at 20 past, starved. Things were apparently hectic at home because everyone was supposed to be ready for our 8:30 am departure. Luckily, I live close to work so my delay did not delay the family. I walked in the door of the house to walk right back out. And we were off... to the funeral.
I thought I could hold it together this time seeing the last time I had visited this specific church was 6 years for another funeral, my grandmother's. I said my hellos to each family member, signed the book, and quickly turned my head away from the pictures scattered on the front table. I knew I would lose it if I gazed at them any longer. Yes, today my grandfather is in a better place, I know that. I just hope he and my grandmother have reunited as she was his sole true love, even after 55 years they parted too soon.
The day was more emotional than I anticipated, which is probably a combination of the sadness of the day and my unstable health. BLAH! I think my father did better during this ceremony than the last one we all attended. Everyone always says to remember their life and I do. My grandfather lived a full one, WW II vet, financial advisor, father of 4 children, happy, giving, and overall a complete gentleman. I am blessed to have known him. And blessed to have caring people in my life. But it doesn't mean I omit tears from today.
...Not much else on other fronts. I hadn't seen a lot of my family in quite a long time, so it was good to share stories with them, but I'm at a loss when it comes to the b-school front. I should hear back in the next two weeks, however I hate explaining with such uncertainty that I intend on going to b-school, and don't know if it will be this year. I have my semi annual review tomorrow and was talking with my mom's friend, I need to tell my bosses that whether or not I go to b-school this year, I will be leaving soon. I can't take another year of my job. Although it's been good experience and I adore my bosses, it's time to find something new, find my passion. The friend suggested I work on campaign of someone she knows. It's something to consider.
Last thought, I need to come up with an outfit for MASTER OF THE FUNK. R.O.C.K. is an organization in San Francisco that helps inner-city kids. I am going to be a member of their host committee for their Third Annual Funk Out with R.O.C.K. in April. We are creating a You Tube type promotional video titled “Who will be crowned the Master of the Funk”. The video will feature about 5 seconds of each of us dressed in our funkiest attire and giving our best pose, dance, strut, Blue Steel look or whatever. So any ideas would be appreciated. :)
I was supposed to leave at 8 am sharp, but walked out the door at 20 past, starved. Things were apparently hectic at home because everyone was supposed to be ready for our 8:30 am departure. Luckily, I live close to work so my delay did not delay the family. I walked in the door of the house to walk right back out. And we were off... to the funeral.
I thought I could hold it together this time seeing the last time I had visited this specific church was 6 years for another funeral, my grandmother's. I said my hellos to each family member, signed the book, and quickly turned my head away from the pictures scattered on the front table. I knew I would lose it if I gazed at them any longer. Yes, today my grandfather is in a better place, I know that. I just hope he and my grandmother have reunited as she was his sole true love, even after 55 years they parted too soon.
The day was more emotional than I anticipated, which is probably a combination of the sadness of the day and my unstable health. BLAH! I think my father did better during this ceremony than the last one we all attended. Everyone always says to remember their life and I do. My grandfather lived a full one, WW II vet, financial advisor, father of 4 children, happy, giving, and overall a complete gentleman. I am blessed to have known him. And blessed to have caring people in my life. But it doesn't mean I omit tears from today.
...Not much else on other fronts. I hadn't seen a lot of my family in quite a long time, so it was good to share stories with them, but I'm at a loss when it comes to the b-school front. I should hear back in the next two weeks, however I hate explaining with such uncertainty that I intend on going to b-school, and don't know if it will be this year. I have my semi annual review tomorrow and was talking with my mom's friend, I need to tell my bosses that whether or not I go to b-school this year, I will be leaving soon. I can't take another year of my job. Although it's been good experience and I adore my bosses, it's time to find something new, find my passion. The friend suggested I work on campaign of someone she knows. It's something to consider.
Last thought, I need to come up with an outfit for MASTER OF THE FUNK. R.O.C.K. is an organization in San Francisco that helps inner-city kids. I am going to be a member of their host committee for their Third Annual Funk Out with R.O.C.K. in April. We are creating a You Tube type promotional video titled “Who will be crowned the Master of the Funk”. The video will feature about 5 seconds of each of us dressed in our funkiest attire and giving our best pose, dance, strut, Blue Steel look or whatever. So any ideas would be appreciated. :)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A Tribute
It's not quite Michigan Blue, but seeing today is the end all for R1 Michigan applicants I thought it was appropriate. Today is the 50th Birthday of the SMURFS! :) Thanks to a dear friend who somehow between email fights and a backed up pipeline, still managed to email me this.
I'll admit I smiled a little when I heard it was their birthday! :D
Congrats to all the admits today!
I'll admit I smiled a little when I heard it was their birthday! :D
Congrats to all the admits today!
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