Hello all,
I am posting here after a long time. the India experiment is working out well so far, except for intermittent Internet usage. First of all, I would like to thank the folks at Clearadmit who think that my posts might have made some contribution. Iday, Oops, and others, thanks as well :-). I think many others have added more spice to the MBA application experience, and I shall do my due part by voting....
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Endgame ...
I am writing this post with mixed emotions....
I started thinking of the whole MBA process in March 2007, exactly an year ago. I read about the GMAT, registered for the exam, bought the books, started preparing, got distracted by work/health/family/relocation issues, postponed the exam, finally took it and after several rejects, I managed to bag a couple of admits.
Then came February 2008, and the whole situation changed. Today, I finally gave my two weeks' notice (technically, it was one week only, because I start my new job in India on March 17th.)
I have learnt three important lessons in this journey.
a. the MBA application process is not to be taken lightly. Any hole in your application process stands out when you are competing against the best, and you earn a ding.
b. The MBA applicant/student/tutor/consultant community is an invaluable resource - it is a shame I was unable to use this resource to the fullest in my applications.
c. I was finally able to pull myself together and take what is probably the most important decision that I have taken in recent times- family first. I am going to spend the next year in India, working in a new environment, a new position, but with the comfort of being close to family. I have received a few smirks on the abrupt change of course, but the support and response so far has been overwhelming. Thank you those of you who wrote back to me with their wishes!
Having said that, there was a comment by an anonymous entity who suggested that I reapply to US schools because they were more competitive.. or something to that effect. I would like to thank that poster, but I will apply to the MBA programs for the class of 2011 only when I am ready.
I do not want to submit under prepared applications again. Hopefully the work experience in India will add some new dimensions to my personality/career goals and also my perspectives on B-schools.
The next few weeks will be insanely chaotic, but I am sure I will learn something that will make me prepare far better for the next application season.
Oops, B-School Bound, Paige, Max, Bokka, Neo, and a host of others who 'sailed' with me in the past few months.. I wish you luck. I must take a short detour back east before I set my ship to sail again...
I started thinking of the whole MBA process in March 2007, exactly an year ago. I read about the GMAT, registered for the exam, bought the books, started preparing, got distracted by work/health/family/relocation issues, postponed the exam, finally took it and after several rejects, I managed to bag a couple of admits.
Then came February 2008, and the whole situation changed. Today, I finally gave my two weeks' notice (technically, it was one week only, because I start my new job in India on March 17th.)
I have learnt three important lessons in this journey.
a. the MBA application process is not to be taken lightly. Any hole in your application process stands out when you are competing against the best, and you earn a ding.
b. The MBA applicant/student/tutor/consultant community is an invaluable resource - it is a shame I was unable to use this resource to the fullest in my applications.
c. I was finally able to pull myself together and take what is probably the most important decision that I have taken in recent times- family first. I am going to spend the next year in India, working in a new environment, a new position, but with the comfort of being close to family. I have received a few smirks on the abrupt change of course, but the support and response so far has been overwhelming. Thank you those of you who wrote back to me with their wishes!
Having said that, there was a comment by an anonymous entity who suggested that I reapply to US schools because they were more competitive.. or something to that effect. I would like to thank that poster, but I will apply to the MBA programs for the class of 2011 only when I am ready.
I do not want to submit under prepared applications again. Hopefully the work experience in India will add some new dimensions to my personality/career goals and also my perspectives on B-schools.
The next few weeks will be insanely chaotic, but I am sure I will learn something that will make me prepare far better for the next application season.
Oops, B-School Bound, Paige, Max, Bokka, Neo, and a host of others who 'sailed' with me in the past few months.. I wish you luck. I must take a short detour back east before I set my ship to sail again...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Decisions, Decisions....(India Becons-Part Two)
Folks,
After four long weeks away from Chicago, I am finally back in the city,ready to get back to work and.....turn in my papers.
After long, agonizing hours thinking about what I should do regarding the whole Indian job offer/admission defer/spouse (?) situation, I have decided to defer my admission to May 2009, I am about 90% convinced that a short term change in strategy would yield long term benefits.
Another interesting thing happened - I received a confirmation from the Maryland Board of Professional Engineers that I could take the Professionals of Engineering (P.E) exam on April 11th. Since the day I graduated back in 2002, my goal was to add the initials P.E to my name. It was and is a major professional milestone for any design engineer.
How much has changed in terms of my career goals, priorities, and my life situation overall! The very exam that I very desperately wanted to take two years ago (but was not allowed to, for lack of work experience), I will have to cancel the registration for. I would have LOVED to get the P.E license, get an MBA, and interview with Real Estate firms with an arsenal that would make me an appealing candidate. Not anymore- I am most likely leaving for India on March 9th.
That is a little over two weeks. I have to give my notice, pack my stuff, sell off my assets, meet up with people in the know, and try to remain sane at the same time. Not to mention do the whole flying/jetlagging thing all over again, when I have just recovered from my India trip.
I would like to add one more thing: my Kellogg/Wharton Essays read something like "... post-MBA, I would like to spearhead the green building efforts of the Indian Real Estate operations of a Fortune 500 company, such as the Chicago-based _____". Ladies and gentlemen, I WILL be working with a Chicago-based Fortune 500 Real Estate developer in India, and I hope to leverage this experience if I decide to reapply.
Class of 2010 MBA applicants/candidates (or Class of 2009, for the 1 Y programs), this will most likely be my second last post on this blog- I had set out with a certain set of aspirations, priorities, and goals, and like the P.E exam, things have changed. I wish the MBA blogging community the best of luck in their endeavors.
Edit: Just came back with a one-on-one with my Project Director: THE conversation went well. I want to go and get drunk....and wash down my anxiety that has built up over the past few days.
After four long weeks away from Chicago, I am finally back in the city,ready to get back to work and.....turn in my papers.
After long, agonizing hours thinking about what I should do regarding the whole Indian job offer/admission defer/spouse (?) situation, I have decided to defer my admission to May 2009, I am about 90% convinced that a short term change in strategy would yield long term benefits.
Another interesting thing happened - I received a confirmation from the Maryland Board of Professional Engineers that I could take the Professionals of Engineering (P.E) exam on April 11th. Since the day I graduated back in 2002, my goal was to add the initials P.E to my name. It was and is a major professional milestone for any design engineer.
How much has changed in terms of my career goals, priorities, and my life situation overall! The very exam that I very desperately wanted to take two years ago (but was not allowed to, for lack of work experience), I will have to cancel the registration for. I would have LOVED to get the P.E license, get an MBA, and interview with Real Estate firms with an arsenal that would make me an appealing candidate. Not anymore- I am most likely leaving for India on March 9th.
That is a little over two weeks. I have to give my notice, pack my stuff, sell off my assets, meet up with people in the know, and try to remain sane at the same time. Not to mention do the whole flying/jetlagging thing all over again, when I have just recovered from my India trip.
I would like to add one more thing: my Kellogg/Wharton Essays read something like "... post-MBA, I would like to spearhead the green building efforts of the Indian Real Estate operations of a Fortune 500 company, such as the Chicago-based _____". Ladies and gentlemen, I WILL be working with a Chicago-based Fortune 500 Real Estate developer in India, and I hope to leverage this experience if I decide to reapply.
Class of 2010 MBA applicants/candidates (or Class of 2009, for the 1 Y programs), this will most likely be my second last post on this blog- I had set out with a certain set of aspirations, priorities, and goals, and like the P.E exam, things have changed. I wish the MBA blogging community the best of luck in their endeavors.
Edit: Just came back with a one-on-one with my Project Director: THE conversation went well. I want to go and get drunk....and wash down my anxiety that has built up over the past few days.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
India Becons?
A fellow blogger, Oops, asked me this question:
"hey, r u 'respectfully declining' ivey too? to apply in 2009? dont know ur background much, but may not be a bad idea..."
Very good questions, and here is my not-so-long answer to it.
I planned a last minute vacation to India in January. The now four-week-long visit after four long years, has been an eye opener. Throw into the picture a potential soulmate into the mix, and a stomach flu that resulted in a job interview for a high profile multi-billion dollar construction project. And a phone conversation with an Ivey alum. (who is a Real Estate Developer) who strongly encouraged me to call it quits @ my current job in Chicago, test the Indian waters for an year, get an MBA, and come back for good.
2008 started with one focus: getting my Canadian Perm. Residency process completed, apply for a student loan, and start school in Fall '08. Today, the dynamics have changed significantly. So far, the first task is almost completed, will think about the second when I visit the campus next week. The third, I am not sure :-)
I am re-evaluating my options as follows:
a. Stay on course, provided the potential soulmate and the Indian job offer do not materialize.
b. Defer my Ivey admission to class of May 2009, if the soulmate or job offer happens.
c. Re-consider applying to schools for 2009 (Maybe Europe?).
For now, I am done with the US. I spent @ 3 years fighting the bureaucrats in the US who thought that I was overqualified to be a construction project manager (I have a MS in Construction Mgmt). And then I spent almost an entire day behind the visa stamping at the US Consulate in Mumbai. I have gone through this circus thrice in my life, but I do not want to go through the mental trauma of dealing with the process a fourth time (not to mention the whole H-1 to F-1 transfer, blah.. blah...)
Bottomline: my friends, I am not quite confused yet, but simply re-evaluating my priorities...or so I think.
"hey, r u 'respectfully declining' ivey too? to apply in 2009? dont know ur background much, but may not be a bad idea..."
Very good questions, and here is my not-so-long answer to it.
I planned a last minute vacation to India in January. The now four-week-long visit after four long years, has been an eye opener. Throw into the picture a potential soulmate into the mix, and a stomach flu that resulted in a job interview for a high profile multi-billion dollar construction project. And a phone conversation with an Ivey alum. (who is a Real Estate Developer) who strongly encouraged me to call it quits @ my current job in Chicago, test the Indian waters for an year, get an MBA, and come back for good.
2008 started with one focus: getting my Canadian Perm. Residency process completed, apply for a student loan, and start school in Fall '08. Today, the dynamics have changed significantly. So far, the first task is almost completed, will think about the second when I visit the campus next week. The third, I am not sure :-)
I am re-evaluating my options as follows:
a. Stay on course, provided the potential soulmate and the Indian job offer do not materialize.
b. Defer my Ivey admission to class of May 2009, if the soulmate or job offer happens.
c. Re-consider applying to schools for 2009 (Maybe Europe?).
For now, I am done with the US. I spent @ 3 years fighting the bureaucrats in the US who thought that I was overqualified to be a construction project manager (I have a MS in Construction Mgmt). And then I spent almost an entire day behind the visa stamping at the US Consulate in Mumbai. I have gone through this circus thrice in my life, but I do not want to go through the mental trauma of dealing with the process a fourth time (not to mention the whole H-1 to F-1 transfer, blah.. blah...)
Bottomline: my friends, I am not quite confused yet, but simply re-evaluating my priorities...or so I think.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Thirty by 30 (semi-MBA)
Hello folks,
I was supposed to be in hibernation mode, but I had a very painful realization this morning. I have gained a lot of unnecessary pounds in the past few weeks, thanks to my B-School apps.
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I was supposed to be in hibernation mode, but I had a very painful realization this morning. I have gained a lot of unnecessary pounds in the past few weeks, thanks to my B-School apps.
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Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Emotional impact of the MBA application process
I took a break from my R2 apps to do some thinking on how the MBA application process has affected me. I wanted to add other parameters, like: social life (or lack thereof), finances - a min. 2,500 hole @ GMAT, app. fees, etc, but i think the emotional toll supercedes everything else.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
going into Hibernation - R2 apps in progress
I have made up my mind @ R2 apps. It is going to be two schools, Ross and an as-yet unnamed entity :-) . Having said that, I am going into hibernation mode. Less than a month left to complete both these applications. Not to mention Christmas in Florida. Three weeks, 2 apps.
I wish my fellow MBA aspirants luck!!
Edit: Added the graph showing my current emotional status. For my R1 apps- I am in week #12, For R2- the whole process will re-start the week after Christmas!
I wish my fellow MBA aspirants luck!!
Edit: Added the graph showing my current emotional status. For my R1 apps- I am in week #12, For R2- the whole process will re-start the week after Christmas!
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