The Divine Miss N

Empty....

With my Open University exam in Organisation and Management out of the way (for which I didn't study too much I'm ashamed to say and I only just passed the exam), for the first time in eighteen months I have nothing that I should be doing. No MBA prep (although I still have my LBS interview coming up this week, but I'll do the preparation for that in traffic on my way to work ;-), and no coursework. A bit strange. I definitely have to get used to this concept of spare time without guilt.... have sorted out some paperwork, cleaned up the house a bit, did the grocery shopping. So what is it that people actually do when they don't have to feel guilty for really needing to be doing something else.......I suppose they have a life! So I've decided to enjoy it while it lasts and laze about, read a lot, and visit this great exhibition that's on in a museum not far from here.

Am getting nervous now....

The Wharton interview is coming up. In 8 days time it'll be over. I'm flying out to London to have my interview, and found out that Alex from the Wharton Adcom and S2S fame is doing the London interviews. Yes, that's right, THE Alex. Am looking forward to meeting him in the flesh.

Triple YES!!!!!!!!

Just got the invite to interview from Wharton, with LBS and IESE that makes three. Am elated, overwhelmed and high on adrenaline...What a way to start the weekend :-)

YES!!!!!

Received my invite for the LBS interview today...am elated!

Wharton R2

Wharton R2 application numbers have come in: 3300!!!! That is just R2.... A bit daunting, to be honest.

For all the latest on the Wharton admissions, see the Adcom Blog.

Yesterday, an email was sent out to all R2 applicants, for highlights, see below:

If your online account status reads “Received,” then the Operations Team needs to process your online application submission and any materials submitted by hard copy. After your materials have been processed, your online account status will be changed to “Complete for Round Two” and your file will be forwarded to the Committee for review. Due to the high number of candidates who submitted their application just days before the deadline (more than 60% of candidates applying for Round Two submitted their application within 24 hours of the deadline), it will take the Operations Team a few weeks to complete the processing of all materials. Therefore, please allow the Operations Team until Friday, January 28th before inquiring about the completeness of your application.

The Admissions Committee will begin to release interview invitations on Thursday, January 20th and will continue to release invitations on a daily basis until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, February 17th. Due to the nature and complexity associated with the admissions process there is no particular order in which invitations are released. Also on February 17th, the Committee will release all final admissions decisions to candidates that are not being invited for an interview and therefore no longer being considered for admission.

If you are invited for an interview, you will need to complete your interview by Thursday, March 10th. Interviews will be available on campus with second-year Wharton MBA Students who are full members of the Admissions Committee, off campus with alumni, and off campus in various “Hubs” around the world by Admissions staff members. All interview options are equally considered within the admissions process.

Wharton Winter reception

Last night an Italian whom I had talked to for a bit at a Wharton Winter reception came up to me when he left and said he'd learned more from me than from the guy who was doing the reception....Hmmmmm. I guess if I don't get in at b-school, I could always be one of those people at trade fairs trying to sell some widgie.... The reception itself was nice, the talk reasonably informative, the crowd a bit quiet although I have been at events where the crowd was even duller. But the disappointment for me came at the drinks afterwards. I talked to a few people and asked them why they were interested in Wharton, and what they wanted from an MBA. Wrong question. They wanted their ticket punched. They didn't have anything remotely interesting or passionate to say about why MBA. Getting their ticket punched. Big sigh. And what keeps on surprising me is that all these guys (and yes, they are mostly guys) are all so bloody serious. Yes, an MBA is serious business, but it is also just an MBA. Have a little fun, lighten up. I always wonder what these people think of themselves as leaders. They are all so focussed on making a good impression, asking the right questions and showing off that they don't really interact with the other person they're talking to. They don't listen, rarely ask questions that reveal an interest in the other person but more in getting information for themselves. I don't know....maybe it's me.

Good start to 2005

Finished three of my apps on Wednesday, feeling relieved and knackered now. I hasn't sunk in yet, that I have actually submitted three of my four applications. After thinking about it for 18 months, I have finally submitted..... Now only one more left (IESE) and then the long wait will start, first for the interview invites and then for the results.

IESE

Had an interview with a member of the admissions committee of IESE the other week, and it was very pleasant. She confirmed my positive feelings about the school, and it was very informative and relaxed. IESE is definitely high up on my list. Great school, opportunity to learn Spanish properly (more than the two beer that I can order now), great city, great exchange program. I'm a bit worried about the extensive use of the case method, as I have little formal background in business, I could probably do a bit more with lectures. But I've spoken to people about this and they say it shouldn't really be a big problem.

GMAT!!!!

It's been a while since my last post, and in that time I've taken my GMAT. The whole experience was actually quite relaxed and after all that hard work studying, it was satisfying to finally be taking the test. I startled myself and scored higher than I expected (the exact score will remain between me and GMAC) and I was very pleased.

I missed round 1 due to work commitments, so I'm focussing on round 2. So far, so good, I've got all my recommendations but one, and I've been hard at work writing my essays.

To put this all in perspective:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/story.jsp?story=588056

Round 2

So, after a good holiday, it's back to the books now. I've rescheduled my GMAT test as work was too hectic for me to have any time left to study. Went to a Stanford information reception the other day and really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was relaxed (or at least, the adcom member doing the presentation was relaxed and so were the alumni), the presentation informative and the others present incredibly unbelievable. In a bad sense. It never ceases to amaze me how apathic people become at these kinds of gatherings, how all they can talk about is b-school, their very interesting jobs and ever so interesting ambitions. Why don't people lighten up a bit? Let their guard down and actually enjoy themselves. You can have fun and be witty and chatty and still be a good MBA candidate. Maybe I'm too strict, but somehow life if so much more fun and interesting if you realise that it's serious business, but not to be taken too seriously ;-)