Friday, September 29, 2006
For the attention of Russian applicants
Incoming events in Moscow:
October 2: Official reception of Chicago GSB, guesting stars from the Adcom :)
October 3-4: MBA Access forum
October 9: MBA World Tour
October 16: Official info session of Stanford, guesting Adcom and alumni
October 2: Official reception of Chicago GSB, guesting stars from the Adcom :)
October 3-4: MBA Access forum
October 9: MBA World Tour
October 16: Official info session of Stanford, guesting Adcom and alumni
Thursday, September 28, 2006
An outline
My news in short:
- My first recommender submitted his letters to Stanford and Wharton and will very likely submit recommendations to Chicago and Harvard tomorrow. I still have to check that my second main recommender and my colleague (the third recommender for Stanford and Harvard) are making it in time;
- I am swamped with avalanche of letters from Canadian and European business schools arriving in Moscow in next two weeks for MBA Access and MBA World Tour events. The schools organize brief info sessions and tete-a-tete interviews;
- I have reorganized the outline of my application strategy. I will limit the list of my first choice schools by three names: Stanford, Wharton and Chicago. Instead of hurrying up with Kellogg, I am going to challenge Harvard in Round 1. I am not ready with Kellogg, and still I will try to be in time, but now I am comfortable about keeping Kellogg for Round 2. After info sessions with Chicago and Stanford I am confident that these two schools together with Wharton are my targets. A pity I have no Wharton people around to learn about their first-hand experience, but for me Wharton is #1 and needs no apologetics. P.S. Why Harvard, all of a sudden? Mechanically :) The school is so apart from others that challenging it is sort of making a wild shot - if I am lucky, I will be glad about trying, if I am not - I will not feel sorry even for a second.
My deadlines:
- October 11: Harvard
- October 12: Wharton
- October 18: Chicago
- October 25: Stanford
P.S. What about Columbia? Guys, thanks God Columbia has rolling admission. Otherwise, I would rather submit an application by regular mail. The online system is very unfriendly to me; despite all my attempts, each new registration ends in being unable to login. And judging from experience of GuyMBA, my recommenders are very likely to experience the same problems. I would better wait for a while and see if technical issues will dissolve :)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Bad mood - more rage
Regularly checking many applicants' blogs this year (thank you guys and gals, you all do a great job), I noticed that September is a depressing time for many of us. Pressure at work, issues in private life, essays content exhaustion, and all of a sudden the first deadline is in less than one month :) Some people say, after all the race of taking GMAT and TOEFL, winning the best recommenders' attention and so on, they really consider giving it all up for a second round or even next year...
My thought of the moment is that the deeper in problems you are, the more important your application is. Why? Because it is your future. For me, my decision to start application process this summer was in a manner of passing free time after I completed my postgraduate studies. I thought I had a point, that I would not be serious about admission - if I would not be accepted, no problem at all. Of course, my attitude changed very soon after I started. As it obviously can be said about mostly every one of talented business school applicants, if I undertake a task, I go all out on it. But what is the most important realization of my present day is that now I understand: in the middle of my current situation, when my present employer all of a sudden turned his back upon me and, in a bad Russian tradition, exercises in finding illegal ways of dismissing me and several other employees, a chance to win admission to a school gives me a power to hope for better future. No matter if I will not win the fight against my current problems (and no matter if I will not gain admission), what matters is that during my application process I gained a feeling that I am worth a good future. Through reflection on challenges I had in my past, through listing my achievements and valuable gainings of my past and present, I gained confidence. Maybe I am pathetic :) Whatever - I hope that every and each applicant who fights bad circumstances at the moment feels some confidence and high selfestimation. We will do it, this way or other :)
My thought of the moment is that the deeper in problems you are, the more important your application is. Why? Because it is your future. For me, my decision to start application process this summer was in a manner of passing free time after I completed my postgraduate studies. I thought I had a point, that I would not be serious about admission - if I would not be accepted, no problem at all. Of course, my attitude changed very soon after I started. As it obviously can be said about mostly every one of talented business school applicants, if I undertake a task, I go all out on it. But what is the most important realization of my present day is that now I understand: in the middle of my current situation, when my present employer all of a sudden turned his back upon me and, in a bad Russian tradition, exercises in finding illegal ways of dismissing me and several other employees, a chance to win admission to a school gives me a power to hope for better future. No matter if I will not win the fight against my current problems (and no matter if I will not gain admission), what matters is that during my application process I gained a feeling that I am worth a good future. Through reflection on challenges I had in my past, through listing my achievements and valuable gainings of my past and present, I gained confidence. Maybe I am pathetic :) Whatever - I hope that every and each applicant who fights bad circumstances at the moment feels some confidence and high selfestimation. We will do it, this way or other :)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I'm loving it
My news in brief:
- Reception hosted by two current students of Chicago GSB in Moscow this Monday was very nice. I must confess that by now I had a chance to attend to info sessions of only two schools - Chicago and Columbia (Stanford will be added to the list tomorrow), and there is not enough ground to make a rating, but alumni and students of Chicago really "burn": they are so positive about their experience in the school that can encourage anybody. In my original list of five schools to apply to, Chicago was on the modest fifth place ;) But only till a fresh alumnus of the class 2006 hosted an info session and described all the cookies Chicago can offer. P.S. I would also like to add that, in my opinion, essays of Chicago are the most creative. P.P.S. Well, Stanford's "what matters" is a lot of fun, too.
- I am enamoured of application process. I took one or two brief looks at Harvard's site and today decided to add the school to my list :) If I will be in time to apply to five schools, the sixth one will not kill me, right? :) Harvard has a small hidden question that can puzzle an applicant and should not be left for the last moment: "In what context are you currently reading, writing, and speaking English? (250 symbols for each skill)".
- Kellogg stuck a knife under my rib: it's the only school in my list that requests academic transcripts to be delivered by courier mail instead of online submission. It's OUCH. Fortunately or not, submission of The Academic Transcript Request Form "is strongly encouraged but not required", which means that I won't ruin my application completely if will not waste another week on visiting 2 schools in order to get the Forms signed and sealed. Still, I will have to waste some time to mail the transcripts. Overall, this news is not good.
- Now my target list consists of six schools (bad, bad unfocused girl). It means that I will have to request additional score reports. Btw, Harvard accepts IELTS as an option to TOEFL.
- Last week GMAC accidentally spread notifications about availability of AWA results among those applicants who passed the test in early September. I was dancing all over the provided link, but could not get through. Today I was informed that notifications were sent by mistake and results will be available next week. False start :)
- Online application system of Columbia still fights through technical imperfection. Content of previous series: in August I could create new accounts, as many as I wanted, but could not relogin after the first session. Since the beginning of September I can login to my application, but it's for January accelerated program, and whatever I do, I cannot switch to regular one. Funny. Good that Columbia has rolling process.
- My second recommender is on vacation again. Luckily for my nerves, this time I am on vacation myself, till next week. I hope that all my recommendations will be provided by the end of September.
That's it for today :) Will keep you posted.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Challenge? Oh yes, I have one...
Among applicants to business schools, motivation varies no less than age, professional background or nationalities do... Last week (at my birthday, can you believe it), my employer provided me with a new, very unique motivation for my application. I was informed that my department is under cutting down. As a high-paid manager, I am in the top list of people facing discharge - paradoxically, volume of wage fund at the moment is more important than retaining a chance to rehabilitate the deparment in future by keeping its best resources on board.
Quite likely, the whole process will not take less than 1,5-2 months, and who knows what will actually happen. But still, I don't think it's a good idea to describe this challenge in my application essays :) I only agonize over one question: would it be a fraud if I would not say a word about this issue in my application... Any opinions?
Quite likely, the whole process will not take less than 1,5-2 months, and who knows what will actually happen. But still, I don't think it's a good idea to describe this challenge in my application essays :) I only agonize over one question: would it be a fraud if I would not say a word about this issue in my application... Any opinions?
Friday, September 15, 2006
TOEFL - done
Hurray again and many times :) I have got my TOEFL results. It's not 99 as I expected :) It's 111, with stellar Listening (30 of 30). Oh yes, I am a listening, sensitive person ;)
So, what is between me and schools? Essays and recommendations. And technical issue with Columbia, which is a mere obstacle now, when I am done with examinations.
Good luck to all in your TOEFLs and GMATs, ask me for any assistance :)
So, what is between me and schools? Essays and recommendations. And technical issue with Columbia, which is a mere obstacle now, when I am done with examinations.
Good luck to all in your TOEFLs and GMATs, ask me for any assistance :)
Columbia Application
Friends, I have a question. I have registered an account for Columbia in late August, but have been not able to relogin ever since. This week I gave up and created a new account, but now every time I am in, I see the following:
THIS IS A JANUARY ACCELERATED APPLICATION! If you meant to apply for the September-start, please contact the admissions office at apply@gsb.columbia.edu.
Anybody experiencing the same problem? Anybody successfully working on application for the Fall'07?
Answer is highly appreciated :)
THIS IS A JANUARY ACCELERATED APPLICATION! If you meant to apply for the September-start, please contact the admissions office at apply@gsb.columbia.edu.
Anybody experiencing the same problem? Anybody successfully working on application for the Fall'07?
Answer is highly appreciated :)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Wharton Application
Things to learn about online application form of Wharton:
1. In addition to extracurricular activities, there is an extra question with regard to hobbies:
Please describe any hobbies or related activities that are not listed above which hold special significances for you. List dates of participation and hours per week. Also explain which of these activities, hobbies or special interests you have enjoyed most and why?
2. An applicant can use as much space as he or she needs to describe his or her professional duties - the limit is more than 7,000 symbols.
1. In addition to extracurricular activities, there is an extra question with regard to hobbies:
Please describe any hobbies or related activities that are not listed above which hold special significances for you. List dates of participation and hours per week. Also explain which of these activities, hobbies or special interests you have enjoyed most and why?
2. An applicant can use as much space as he or she needs to describe his or her professional duties - the limit is more than 7,000 symbols.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Kellogg Online Application Form
Kellogg School of Management recently made an application form for the Fall 07 available online. Things an applicant should know about the form:
1. Be ready to describe your short- and long-term goals in terms of work title: you will be asked which office you expect to obtain next to graduation and which title is your long-term goal. Shortly (in one sentence).
2. There is a limit of 25 symbols for description of extracurricular activities and titles of full-time and extra employment. Only 25 symbols, mind it. What did you do as a volunteer, in 25 letters?
Ouch? - Ouch!
NB: The application is conveniently split into two parts. Part I is a questionnaire that you need to submit (together with your application fee) at early stage to initiate interview request process. Essays, recommendation requests, transcripts, resume etc. are in Part II that follows after submission of application fee.
1. Be ready to describe your short- and long-term goals in terms of work title: you will be asked which office you expect to obtain next to graduation and which title is your long-term goal. Shortly (in one sentence).
2. There is a limit of 25 symbols for description of extracurricular activities and titles of full-time and extra employment. Only 25 symbols, mind it. What did you do as a volunteer, in 25 letters?
Ouch? - Ouch!
NB: The application is conveniently split into two parts. Part I is a questionnaire that you need to submit (together with your application fee) at early stage to initiate interview request process. Essays, recommendation requests, transcripts, resume etc. are in Part II that follows after submission of application fee.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Recommendation for Stanford? Ouch!!!
This weekend I had a minute to observe and compare recommendation forms of my 5 favourite schools. In general, all sing more or less in one tune, all but Stanford. My supervisor showed me a questionnaire he received from Stan, and I must tell you it's a pain! Supervisor is asked to provide 3 to 5 pages of review with detailed examples of my projects and, what really made him flustered, with example of a feedback he provided on my work and what I said or did in response... Ouch! It's tricky. We will have to set an extra session to recall appropriate formal examples :)
GMAT? Done!
Hurray, I am a superhero again, I am done with GMAT. It's 730 (quant 48, verbal 44) and I am pretty satisfied with it.
I think I could have done much better if I had not got lost in one specific problem solving. I know that I made two mistakes in quant, and besides, I failed to solve maths in time - I missed all those very important 5 last questions!
The verbal was a candy, I ran through it like a wild mustang in 50 minutes or so :)
Overall, it was a good run and I don't think I will retry. Let's hope that Adcoms will not kick my lazy hip for low quants.
I think I could have done much better if I had not got lost in one specific problem solving. I know that I made two mistakes in quant, and besides, I failed to solve maths in time - I missed all those very important 5 last questions!
The verbal was a candy, I ran through it like a wild mustang in 50 minutes or so :)
Overall, it was a good run and I don't think I will retry. Let's hope that Adcoms will not kick my lazy hip for low quants.
