'Downtown and down to earth'. That is what Stern stands for. I am all set to submit my R1 Stern application. In fact, I may do it right after I publish this blog. []Update : And Yes, true to my word, I did too. So that is two down and one to go]
Stern application is a lot shorter than Wharton's. There are only three essays to tell your story with, of which one is an odd ball - the creative essay where you can submit anything but food, electronic media and worn T-Shirts. There is no space in the application for your job responsibilities, but of course it requires a resume. Another oddity is that Stern needs your official transcripts , and a copy of the degree certificate.
I went to Stern on Monday afternoon. I carried a rather conspicuous package, my creative essay. After I submitted the essay and the transcript I enquired whether I could attend a class. I knew the class visit schedule was full. Even so they were nice enough to ask me to hang around to see whether there are any open slots. Though I was keen to attend a marketing class, in this situation I took what was available. A class on Global Banking Risks. The class blew me away!
The quality of teaching was way better than what I experienced in Wharton. Again please take this comment with lots of salt. Since, the Wharton classes I attended were the last ones before the midterm. Hence the subject matter was at a much more advanced state. Where as, the Stern class was an independent capsule in itself. The professor was a very respected Wall St. Executive with lots of hands on experience. In addition, I had in depth knowledge on all the cases he discussed in the class - the LTCM collapse, Russian debt defaulting and the Japanese Real Estate decline. So it is quiet possible that my Wharton class visit is not quiet representative to be compared with my Stern class visit.
I will conclude with a line I penned to a friend few minutes back. - So to summarize, my brain likes Stern more where as my heart still beats Whar'..'Ton'...''Whar'..'Ton'...''Whar'..'Ton'...''Whar'..'Ton'...'
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
The IT Pride
In the MBA Admissions world, Indian, Engineer, IT (IE-IT) combination apparently is plenty. At least that is what many IE-ITs out there think. A large number of IE-ITs also think they are in a tremendously competitive 'pool'. This thought naturally is extrapolated to a bigger question, How will I differentiate myself from the other 999 clones?. While an important question, in my opinion the roots, progression and manifestation of the question are all wrong.
I am an IE-IT applicant, So my words, thoughts and actions have some credibility. I do not expect everyone to agree. I would love to have a healthy debate In case you differ with my opinions.
In my opinion, a regular IE-IT applicant has tremendous advantage. The advantage is firmly rooted on many unique aspects.
India has 28 states and 7 union territories. Each of those states differ from each other in more than subtle ways. We come from different cultures, talking different languages, experiencing different ideologies and reading different newspapers. Let us not even go near the cuisines; how lame is it that so many restaurants out there call themselves 'Indian'?, Can there ever be an Indian restaurant showcasing at least 28 dishes; one each from each of those states?, How many chefs are going to be there!
Your experiences mould you. And since those experiences are different, how you became who you are is different. Hence I do not see lack of uniqueness in an IE-IT.
Now, let us focus on the IT aspect. My IT experience has made me an expert in certain areas of the following industries; investment banking, pharmaceuticals, food and nutrition. I know aspects of book publishing and assessing personalities in 29-dimensions :-). I know how e-commerce makes money, and I know how to analyze the customer demographics to make informed marketing decisions. How many applicants out there, you think, carry such a huge opportunity to learn so many different businesses? I would say very few. In any year, most of IE-ITs shift across three business segments. You are supposed to learn, master and apply skills in completely new industries overnight. Now, it is easy to get tangled in braces, semicolons and asterisk. But those with business dreams written all over will learn the business of the project they are in. If you do not, please do. While how you comment a line of code may change from project to project, and may at times be an exciting learning opportunity, do not miss the bigger picture and miss the chance to internalize one more new business knowledge. Believe me you the uniqueness will be written all over each of us once we do this internalization.
IE-ITs are exposed to tremendous leadership development opportunities daily! You know what I am talking about, we get to learn from our managers up close, we get to lead teams fairly early in our careers, we get client facing assignments sooner, we interview people...And, if your job is not letting you do all these, you have the option to turn in your papers and walk over to some where across the street where you get what you want.
International experiences are something that sets IE-ITs apart. We do not get to work in 'one' country abroad; we frequent countries. Be in the look out for new cultural experiences. Understand the local customs, the way people do business, underlying philosophies etc. Don't take comfort in the dal and chapati. Experiment. Get to know your neighbors. Learn from every morsel of 'newness' that comes across you.
While IE-ITs have similar opportunities to be unique, the uniqueness of these opportunities make all the difference. So, I believe being IE-IT is nothing but a great advantage when you are trying to set yourself apart.
Ohh, one more thing, stop worrying about that high GMAT. Nobody cares much!
I am an IE-IT applicant, So my words, thoughts and actions have some credibility. I do not expect everyone to agree. I would love to have a healthy debate In case you differ with my opinions.
In my opinion, a regular IE-IT applicant has tremendous advantage. The advantage is firmly rooted on many unique aspects.
India has 28 states and 7 union territories. Each of those states differ from each other in more than subtle ways. We come from different cultures, talking different languages, experiencing different ideologies and reading different newspapers. Let us not even go near the cuisines; how lame is it that so many restaurants out there call themselves 'Indian'?, Can there ever be an Indian restaurant showcasing at least 28 dishes; one each from each of those states?, How many chefs are going to be there!
Your experiences mould you. And since those experiences are different, how you became who you are is different. Hence I do not see lack of uniqueness in an IE-IT.
Now, let us focus on the IT aspect. My IT experience has made me an expert in certain areas of the following industries; investment banking, pharmaceuticals, food and nutrition. I know aspects of book publishing and assessing personalities in 29-dimensions :-). I know how e-commerce makes money, and I know how to analyze the customer demographics to make informed marketing decisions. How many applicants out there, you think, carry such a huge opportunity to learn so many different businesses? I would say very few. In any year, most of IE-ITs shift across three business segments. You are supposed to learn, master and apply skills in completely new industries overnight. Now, it is easy to get tangled in braces, semicolons and asterisk. But those with business dreams written all over will learn the business of the project they are in. If you do not, please do. While how you comment a line of code may change from project to project, and may at times be an exciting learning opportunity, do not miss the bigger picture and miss the chance to internalize one more new business knowledge. Believe me you the uniqueness will be written all over each of us once we do this internalization.
IE-ITs are exposed to tremendous leadership development opportunities daily! You know what I am talking about, we get to learn from our managers up close, we get to lead teams fairly early in our careers, we get client facing assignments sooner, we interview people...And, if your job is not letting you do all these, you have the option to turn in your papers and walk over to some where across the street where you get what you want.
International experiences are something that sets IE-ITs apart. We do not get to work in 'one' country abroad; we frequent countries. Be in the look out for new cultural experiences. Understand the local customs, the way people do business, underlying philosophies etc. Don't take comfort in the dal and chapati. Experiment. Get to know your neighbors. Learn from every morsel of 'newness' that comes across you.
While IE-ITs have similar opportunities to be unique, the uniqueness of these opportunities make all the difference. So, I believe being IE-IT is nothing but a great advantage when you are trying to set yourself apart.
Ohh, one more thing, stop worrying about that high GMAT. Nobody cares much!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
A tough question - That still lingers
My Wharton interview is over for many days now. As days pass by the vividness of the interview experience is fading. With a busy schedule of NYC schools' admissions looming in the background, distancing from the Wharton experience will help reduce stress. How much ever I try I guess part of my mind will agonize over the criticality of Dec 21st - the decision day!.
The whole admissions process was an introspective experience. Of all the probing questions that my interviewer asked me, the one which caused significant introspection to me was , "How will you define success?". My spontaneous answer which covered some qualitative and quantitative aspects of success was very original, and once again took me through the now so familiar self discovery zone. So, to all the applicants out there, do ask yourself this seemingly innocent question : "How will YOU define success?"
The whole admissions process was an introspective experience. Of all the probing questions that my interviewer asked me, the one which caused significant introspection to me was , "How will you define success?". My spontaneous answer which covered some qualitative and quantitative aspects of success was very original, and once again took me through the now so familiar self discovery zone. So, to all the applicants out there, do ask yourself this seemingly innocent question : "How will YOU define success?"
Friday, November 17, 2006
The Wharton interview
Four hours back, exactly at 11:50PM EST, I finished my very enjoyable 40mnts long interview with a Wharton Graduate Assistant. Everything Mr. Thomas Caleel, preaches is true as far as Wharton's admission process goes - there are no tricks.
Interview started exactly on time, and my interviewer first explained to me what is the format of the interview and what to expect. She then proceeded with the ice breaker of walking through the resume. She followed up with a Question on my leadership style. Then we discussed , Why MBA?, Why Wharton?, Leadership Example, Team work Example, How I'll define success , What will I contribute, How will my classmates remember me by and a few more questions expectable from an MBA admissions interview. Lastly she answered all my three questions to her at length, and escorted me out into the lobby.
She did a wonderful job of showing complete involvment in the interview process. In fact though I was a little nervous in the beginning she made me feel completely at home through her friendly approach.
In short I love Wharton even more now, and will look forward to the decision day, December 21st.
Interview started exactly on time, and my interviewer first explained to me what is the format of the interview and what to expect. She then proceeded with the ice breaker of walking through the resume. She followed up with a Question on my leadership style. Then we discussed , Why MBA?, Why Wharton?, Leadership Example, Team work Example, How I'll define success , What will I contribute, How will my classmates remember me by and a few more questions expectable from an MBA admissions interview. Lastly she answered all my three questions to her at length, and escorted me out into the lobby.
She did a wonderful job of showing complete involvment in the interview process. In fact though I was a little nervous in the beginning she made me feel completely at home through her friendly approach.
In short I love Wharton even more now, and will look forward to the decision day, December 21st.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Wharton would like to see my face...
Today Wharton invited me for an interview. What a wonderful thing to write. It is exciting to know that the endless hours spent writing, editing, fine-tuning the application and the long months spent learning, teaching and dissecting GMAT complexities did not end with no tangible results. Statistically Wharton admits 50% of those interviewed. It is an important milestone, yet no time to rest yet!
The Stern Essays are coming up very well. The Wharton essay experience has sculpted my writing style from raw clay to a beautiful flowing art-form. It definitely was not through self discovery. It was through the numerous feedback sessions from my friends who wore a ruthless critique's cap to dissect my essays. Thank you all. In retrospective, internalizing your teachings has also helped me reduce your critiquing efforts for the later essays. However, you still amaze me with those invaluable suggestions that gives my essays new dimensions.
At some point of time, definitely after all the admissions excitement is over, I'd publish those essays here.
But for now, let it all be Robert Frost , "Miles to before I sleep..."
The Stern Essays are coming up very well. The Wharton essay experience has sculpted my writing style from raw clay to a beautiful flowing art-form. It definitely was not through self discovery. It was through the numerous feedback sessions from my friends who wore a ruthless critique's cap to dissect my essays. Thank you all. In retrospective, internalizing your teachings has also helped me reduce your critiquing efforts for the later essays. However, you still amaze me with those invaluable suggestions that gives my essays new dimensions.
At some point of time, definitely after all the admissions excitement is over, I'd publish those essays here.
But for now, let it all be Robert Frost , "Miles to before I sleep..."
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