Tuesday, February 27, 2007
With Regard to Rejection
Thank you all, guys, for your kind words :) As I digested the news, there came some thoughts I decided to share.
First, despite the fact that I do feel weird now ;) I know that it's still early to say whether these rejections really mean that I am not an MBA material. In my R1, I failed to construct sound essay with regard to Why MBA, and it was only in December, after I had two interviews with Chicago, that I understood how I should deliver my story to Adcoms. The positive side of this thought: my first rejections were for very clear reason of my essays not meeting the requirement of clarity and conformity. The negative side: I was very angry that I had to pay a lot to learn this lesson.
Second, despite point 1, decision from Columbia came of a sudden for me. I thought I put a serious effort in my Why MBA essay this time, and overall, enhanced the application significantly. The speed of process and nice interview I had were signs of positive progress, and the heck if I know what went wrong. Now, back to my stats. In my previous job, I managed the Olympic Games project, jeez, and currently I do corporate governance for a start-up worth several million bucks. If I am not relevant to Business Administration, then, who is? The positive side: I have no idea whether I could do anything to enhance my application further, as this time I have no idea what was wrong. The negative side: so, what can I do to not let this happen again?
Third, I love you guys, I know there are many great people among applicants I met in last several months, and many of them got admitted and will form a heart of their future classes, but many great people got dinged, too. I am far from perfect, as all of us are, but, I hope you will understand me, each time I receive refusal I wonder, whether all people who will be admitted to that class are better than I am? The positive side: I don't think that admission is a mere roulette, because I've seen very nice people got admitted, and they really deserve it. The negative side: my self-confidence starts leaking :)
It's a real shame and, probably, arrogance, but I must say that I was almost 99% sure about Columbia. When things like that happen, I always tell myself: I was wrong because I was so sure that I was right :) So, CBS wasn't what the Fortune holds in its pocket for me :)
I like Darden, 200%, but I must tell you that I am quite diffident at the moment about my chances. The recent fail surely left me uncertain about whether I am in the right moment and state to apply for MBA, or do I still have to revise my present and think if I am doing the right thing?
First, despite the fact that I do feel weird now ;) I know that it's still early to say whether these rejections really mean that I am not an MBA material. In my R1, I failed to construct sound essay with regard to Why MBA, and it was only in December, after I had two interviews with Chicago, that I understood how I should deliver my story to Adcoms. The positive side of this thought: my first rejections were for very clear reason of my essays not meeting the requirement of clarity and conformity. The negative side: I was very angry that I had to pay a lot to learn this lesson.
Second, despite point 1, decision from Columbia came of a sudden for me. I thought I put a serious effort in my Why MBA essay this time, and overall, enhanced the application significantly. The speed of process and nice interview I had were signs of positive progress, and the heck if I know what went wrong. Now, back to my stats. In my previous job, I managed the Olympic Games project, jeez, and currently I do corporate governance for a start-up worth several million bucks. If I am not relevant to Business Administration, then, who is? The positive side: I have no idea whether I could do anything to enhance my application further, as this time I have no idea what was wrong. The negative side: so, what can I do to not let this happen again?
Third, I love you guys, I know there are many great people among applicants I met in last several months, and many of them got admitted and will form a heart of their future classes, but many great people got dinged, too. I am far from perfect, as all of us are, but, I hope you will understand me, each time I receive refusal I wonder, whether all people who will be admitted to that class are better than I am? The positive side: I don't think that admission is a mere roulette, because I've seen very nice people got admitted, and they really deserve it. The negative side: my self-confidence starts leaking :)
It's a real shame and, probably, arrogance, but I must say that I was almost 99% sure about Columbia. When things like that happen, I always tell myself: I was wrong because I was so sure that I was right :) So, CBS wasn't what the Fortune holds in its pocket for me :)
I like Darden, 200%, but I must tell you that I am quite diffident at the moment about my chances. The recent fail surely left me uncertain about whether I am in the right moment and state to apply for MBA, or do I still have to revise my present and think if I am doing the right thing?
Monday, February 26, 2007
Unbelievable
I am dinged by Columbia. I thought I would take any decision easier this time, two months after R1 results, but still it gave me five seconds of deep chill till I was able to move further.
Strange. Am I really this weird?
Strange. Am I really this weird?
You Wonder How I Look Like?
Well, that's me :)
MBA news for Russian applicants: two events will be held in Moscow during next week:
March 5th: The QS World MBA Tour
March 6th: MBA & Women: Price of Success
Spring is coming!
Monday, February 19, 2007
No Big News Yet
Some statistics: I've got about 20 applicants' blogs in my Favourites. The most of them is idle for last one or two months. So, admission (and, unfortunately, rejection) does change lifestyles ;)) Alternatively, it's avitaminotic hibernation all around the globe these days.
The update: my interview with alumnus of Columbia went pretty smooth. The gentleman was extremely nice; we talked at length (1 hour 20 minutes, unbelievable). He started by asking me if I can describe my individuality in a few words, and we wandered into philosophical discussion about the nature of emotions and attitudes towards events around us. In the field of Why MBA, Why Columbia he had a number of very specific questions, such as description of my present extracurriculars (he wrote down the link to online forum I participate in) and list of schools I am applying to at the moment. I put myself into embarrassment by calling Wharton and Chicago "top notch schools" which, I was afraid, could touch his nerves like I wasn't considering Columbia as a school among the best. That was sort of spilling the beans :)) but I hope that I definitely made my point that I will definitely attend if I am admitted. Overall, I mentioned from experience of other applicants worldwide that Columbia is very concerned about possible rejections of admission offers. Probably, it is a bad legacy of Early Decision round.
The interview was at February 15 (Thursday), and while there is no feedback from my interviewer yet, I expect to hear from the school in next two weeks. I'll keep you informed, guys :)
The update: my interview with alumnus of Columbia went pretty smooth. The gentleman was extremely nice; we talked at length (1 hour 20 minutes, unbelievable). He started by asking me if I can describe my individuality in a few words, and we wandered into philosophical discussion about the nature of emotions and attitudes towards events around us. In the field of Why MBA, Why Columbia he had a number of very specific questions, such as description of my present extracurriculars (he wrote down the link to online forum I participate in) and list of schools I am applying to at the moment. I put myself into embarrassment by calling Wharton and Chicago "top notch schools" which, I was afraid, could touch his nerves like I wasn't considering Columbia as a school among the best. That was sort of spilling the beans :)) but I hope that I definitely made my point that I will definitely attend if I am admitted. Overall, I mentioned from experience of other applicants worldwide that Columbia is very concerned about possible rejections of admission offers. Probably, it is a bad legacy of Early Decision round.
The interview was at February 15 (Thursday), and while there is no feedback from my interviewer yet, I expect to hear from the school in next two weeks. I'll keep you informed, guys :)
Thursday, February 01, 2007
In A Rush...
...to post that I've got an interview with Columbia. It's been three weeks since I submitted. Pretty fast, isn't it? :)
Details: I have 30 days to organize and complete an interview with an ambassador (alumnus) of the school in my area. I will be given a list of up to 9 ambassadors to choose between, based on who's available. And there is even an option to request an interview waiver, if I can substantiate why I need it ;) Which I will not do - I will be very glad to meet an alumnus and talk with him or her about the school at length.
Details: I have 30 days to organize and complete an interview with an ambassador (alumnus) of the school in my area. I will be given a list of up to 9 ambassadors to choose between, based on who's available. And there is even an option to request an interview waiver, if I can substantiate why I need it ;) Which I will not do - I will be very glad to meet an alumnus and talk with him or her about the school at length.
