I was restless since the moment I woke up last Friday. Or rather, the anticipation of a life-changing news got me tenser for the entire last week. God must be kind to let me have a minor wisdom tooth surgery last week to give me a valid excuse not to work :p
I told myself not to check the email every hour. As morning in France started, my heart pumped faster. Fortunately a friend who knew all I have been going through was back in the country and we decided impromptu to watch Ratatouille. Wise choice. I was entertained and dreamed about flying to France to attend INSEAD.
Reached home after the movie and checked the email. My heart almost jumped out when I saw the email title ‘ INSEAD Confidential Selection Process’,
“You have been pre-selected for interviews.”
YEAH !! One step forward to INSEAD !!
Went to register for intensive French class @ Alliance Francaise on Saturday morning, and was probably one of the last few students to enroll into the class which has a maximum size of 16. Thank God ! Though it seemed the administration lady and the registration person gave me different information on the language proficiency level I would be able to achieve at the end of 2 terms, it will contribute towards my MBA and career eventually.
Something extra I have learned though the process. French is actually more commonly used than what I had thought previously, by people in Canada, Switzerland, North America, Africa etc.
Need to refresh my memory of INSEAD application essays, be more familiar with the school’s program and practice some common interview questions and skills before the real test comes. The school will inform me of the interviewers’ contact later. INSEAD allows R3 applicants selected for interview to start applying for financial aids, which application deadline will be in mid-September.
There will be more MBA information sessions and alumni gatherings coming in September. Essay writing for other school applications has to be put aside temporarily.
As such, my days now are occupied by Interview preparation, Other B-School applications, French class, and my work – in order of priority now.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Law of Attraction
Bought a much-discussed book 'The Secret'. Have yet finished reading, at first glimpse the 'secret' is not exactly a new idea, but I am trying to apply the Law of Attraction now. Keep thinking of what I want and the mysterious forces will attract more related forces to my life. Or perhaps, by focusing on something in my mind, I simply become more alert to all related information and contacts, and friends will notice my concern and hence share more related information too.
By next Friday, my fate with INSEAD would be revealed.
http://www.thesecret.tv/home.html
I contemplated to take CFA level one examination to improve on my financial knowledge but later figured that I couldn't afford the time. Incidentally, a friend of mine had finished the examination recently and now finds all level 1 textbooks redundant. In the good spirit of being environmentally friendly, I happily adopted those above 5-kg heavy books and hope will disciplinely digest these 'mind-stimulating' materials before MBA starts.
Typically, I enjoy getting my future as clearly planned for as possible. Should all things run smoothly, I want to fulfill INSEAD's 3rd language requirement before school starts. Am researching on available recognized courses in the country. The date of the assessment test, which apparently is only available semi-annually, however might clash with a company trip I kind of look forward to. Just another conflict between my MBA dream and my current job. The winner is obvious isn't it ?
Interestingly, I have been reading here and there information on France. Someone called earlier, and without any clue of my INSEAD application, jokingly asked if I am in Paris now. Is it a positive sign ? :p
Best wishes to me as I wait for the important news !
By next Friday, my fate with INSEAD would be revealed.
http://www.thesecret.tv/home.html
I contemplated to take CFA level one examination to improve on my financial knowledge but later figured that I couldn't afford the time. Incidentally, a friend of mine had finished the examination recently and now finds all level 1 textbooks redundant. In the good spirit of being environmentally friendly, I happily adopted those above 5-kg heavy books and hope will disciplinely digest these 'mind-stimulating' materials before MBA starts.
Typically, I enjoy getting my future as clearly planned for as possible. Should all things run smoothly, I want to fulfill INSEAD's 3rd language requirement before school starts. Am researching on available recognized courses in the country. The date of the assessment test, which apparently is only available semi-annually, however might clash with a company trip I kind of look forward to. Just another conflict between my MBA dream and my current job. The winner is obvious isn't it ?
Interestingly, I have been reading here and there information on France. Someone called earlier, and without any clue of my INSEAD application, jokingly asked if I am in Paris now. Is it a positive sign ? :p
Best wishes to me as I wait for the important news !
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Green Truth...
It must be misleading... It wasn’t intentional, please pardon me. The truth is, Harvard is not in my top 3 targeted school list, and I’m not 100% sure if I will apply. I simply happen to hear a few related stories recently. Perhaps, my mistake must be to forget to upload a draft written in July. Here it is.
I have submitted application for INSEAD January 2008 intake.
Since early this year, I have decided to take on the MBA challenge. Most schools only have a September intake and that makes applying in October (Round 1) a natural strategy. Each top school has its strengths and weaknesses, ie diversity, location, teaching strengths, reputation in my targeted post-MBA industry, availability of financial aids, student community culture, strength of alumni network etc. To zoom down to a few top choices is the first challenge.
It’s fair to comment that without the information session and interactions with current students, I would not have applied for the January intake, which means to automatically say goodbye to my chances with other excellent B-schools. It almost parallels the Registration of Marriage vow that demands a commitment of ‘never to consider other potentials’.
INSEAD has always been in my top 3 choices. For some reasons, I always love Europe more and dream to work in London, despite feedbacks that Americans are friendlier and more open-minded towards Asians. My preference for Europe is built on previous pleasant stays and it must be biased, since I have never visited USA and have only met American travelers. I will love to experience USA of course. Any offer of free air-ticket and accommodation?
The pivotal experience was a private information session with five INSEAD students who enthusiastically shared their analysis of why INSEAD and why not other MBA schools. Among others, INSEAD is famed for the cohesiveness of its school community and alumni network. For establishing of an international career and relocating to a foreign land, to have a supportive alumni network and strong friendships built during MBA must be beneficial. Of course, most students will admit their views are biased, having invested a large amount of money and time in a life-changing MBA program, and going to live with pride as the school’s MBA alumni in future. Nevertheless, their honest sharing put me into better perspectives to derive my own decision. Having done my school research and application outline and asked my recommenders to write references earlier, it was tough but possible to meet INSEAD’s July deadline.
After having done my part, the rest is up to God. Praying hard now. Since I will only confirm my INSEAD application status by mid-October, I will still be working hard on other MBA application essays now and get happily distracted by all the MBA information sessions coming to town. =)
I have submitted application for INSEAD January 2008 intake.
Since early this year, I have decided to take on the MBA challenge. Most schools only have a September intake and that makes applying in October (Round 1) a natural strategy. Each top school has its strengths and weaknesses, ie diversity, location, teaching strengths, reputation in my targeted post-MBA industry, availability of financial aids, student community culture, strength of alumni network etc. To zoom down to a few top choices is the first challenge.
It’s fair to comment that without the information session and interactions with current students, I would not have applied for the January intake, which means to automatically say goodbye to my chances with other excellent B-schools. It almost parallels the Registration of Marriage vow that demands a commitment of ‘never to consider other potentials’.
INSEAD has always been in my top 3 choices. For some reasons, I always love Europe more and dream to work in London, despite feedbacks that Americans are friendlier and more open-minded towards Asians. My preference for Europe is built on previous pleasant stays and it must be biased, since I have never visited USA and have only met American travelers. I will love to experience USA of course. Any offer of free air-ticket and accommodation?
The pivotal experience was a private information session with five INSEAD students who enthusiastically shared their analysis of why INSEAD and why not other MBA schools. Among others, INSEAD is famed for the cohesiveness of its school community and alumni network. For establishing of an international career and relocating to a foreign land, to have a supportive alumni network and strong friendships built during MBA must be beneficial. Of course, most students will admit their views are biased, having invested a large amount of money and time in a life-changing MBA program, and going to live with pride as the school’s MBA alumni in future. Nevertheless, their honest sharing put me into better perspectives to derive my own decision. Having done my school research and application outline and asked my recommenders to write references earlier, it was tough but possible to meet INSEAD’s July deadline.
After having done my part, the rest is up to God. Praying hard now. Since I will only confirm my INSEAD application status by mid-October, I will still be working hard on other MBA application essays now and get happily distracted by all the MBA information sessions coming to town. =)
Friday, August 10, 2007
Harvard B-School Admission Tip ??
Two more stories of recent Harvard admits from my residential country.
2 is a small number for applicant pools from USA / UK / other Europrean countries, but 2 is a big representation for this country with a tiny population size and located thousands-of-miles away from USA. Thus, can I infer from their stories the trick to HBS?
Case Study 1:
Engineering graduate chose to be a full time singer @ a local pub. After a few years, the divine power showed him the Harvard path. He applied, and got admitted.
Case Study 2:
A degree holder chose to showcase his talents by busking full time. Got inspired to get a MBA and applied for Harvard. Admitted.
Moral of the story ??
If you acquire early the wisdom of the value of an ivy-league MBA, or aspire to be part of Harvard Business School:
- start planning your life early so you could write a story of pursuing a passion deemed unpopular by the society's conventional wisdom/ voluntaring work at a developing country / setting up a business / travelling (backpacking is preferred) extensively to different less-adventured corners of the world / accomplishing great things for the well-being of humanity/ leading a team to conquer the Mount Everest / etc etc etc
If you are the aspired parent-of-a-HBS-graduate:
- start an endowment fund early so that your child can afford to pursue his/her dream without worries of university study loan repayment, high living cost in a city and financial commitment to family.
They often say every applicant has an unique story. I'm glad that my story is not totally boring. However, never have I wished more than now that I had accomplished more extraordinary achievements. :p
2 is a small number for applicant pools from USA / UK / other Europrean countries, but 2 is a big representation for this country with a tiny population size and located thousands-of-miles away from USA. Thus, can I infer from their stories the trick to HBS?
Case Study 1:
Engineering graduate chose to be a full time singer @ a local pub. After a few years, the divine power showed him the Harvard path. He applied, and got admitted.
Case Study 2:
A degree holder chose to showcase his talents by busking full time. Got inspired to get a MBA and applied for Harvard. Admitted.
Moral of the story ??
If you acquire early the wisdom of the value of an ivy-league MBA, or aspire to be part of Harvard Business School:
- start planning your life early so you could write a story of pursuing a passion deemed unpopular by the society's conventional wisdom/ voluntaring work at a developing country / setting up a business / travelling (backpacking is preferred) extensively to different less-adventured corners of the world / accomplishing great things for the well-being of humanity/ leading a team to conquer the Mount Everest / etc etc etc
If you are the aspired parent-of-a-HBS-graduate:
- start an endowment fund early so that your child can afford to pursue his/her dream without worries of university study loan repayment, high living cost in a city and financial commitment to family.
They often say every applicant has an unique story. I'm glad that my story is not totally boring. However, never have I wished more than now that I had accomplished more extraordinary achievements. :p
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
GMAT
Weeks of revising mathematical concepts and English grammar, days of sacrificing all unnecessary social activities, hours of stress and worries…
The GMAT is at last done ! Though not exactly in the way I had wished for…
I chatted with some other candidates, felt reasonably relaxed and ready for the test. Everything appeared normal. Till I started the test.
From the very first minute, if not second, the cold test room was filled by constant annoying loud noises of coughing and sneezing. I had my ear plucks but still could almost sense the vibration of the sound waves. I had no choice. The noise producer was sitting right next to me.
I couldn’t concentrate well. The algebras and inequalities did not look easily comprehensible and approachable to me… It felt as if all the nights of fighting against these mathematical puzzles had become useless. According to GMAT Strategy number 101 : the first 15 questions are crucial in determining the score. From the 15th question onwards, the questions thrown at me did not appear like those testing the limits of 95th percentile scorers. It was tempting to cancel today’s test score, but the idea of having to incur the cost again and having to wait for another month was even more irritating.
After understanding my concerns, the GMAT centre administrator was kind enough to offer me the option of a free retake next month. They suggested that at the end of the test, I could either get the test score, satisfactory or not, to be submitted to the five schools, or click the ‘Cancel’ button to erase all earlier efforts. The poor sick candidate apologized and promised to control his noises. The GMAT administrator handled me a big headphone in addition to the ear plucks. I decided to proceed to take on the Verbal challenge.
The ten minute optional break was over. My neighbour substantially reduced his noise, but a nearby construction site started producing their noises. Very interesting, I thought. Fotunately, perhaps in a way I had better adapted to the noise pollution, I managed to focus better and complete the 41 questions in time.
It was time. The moment of truth unraveled. Surprisingly it was not as disastrous as what I had imagined. I did well in the verbal session to compensate for my underperformance in the quantitative session.
My GMAT score – 720. Not a fantastic score, but an acceptable one.
I am unsure how this imbalance between Verbal and Quantitative scores will affect my application, and if I should explain for this in the optional essay.
And, should I bother to retake the test or simply move on to the more challenging essay writings?
The GMAT is at last done ! Though not exactly in the way I had wished for…
I chatted with some other candidates, felt reasonably relaxed and ready for the test. Everything appeared normal. Till I started the test.
From the very first minute, if not second, the cold test room was filled by constant annoying loud noises of coughing and sneezing. I had my ear plucks but still could almost sense the vibration of the sound waves. I had no choice. The noise producer was sitting right next to me.
I couldn’t concentrate well. The algebras and inequalities did not look easily comprehensible and approachable to me… It felt as if all the nights of fighting against these mathematical puzzles had become useless. According to GMAT Strategy number 101 : the first 15 questions are crucial in determining the score. From the 15th question onwards, the questions thrown at me did not appear like those testing the limits of 95th percentile scorers. It was tempting to cancel today’s test score, but the idea of having to incur the cost again and having to wait for another month was even more irritating.
After understanding my concerns, the GMAT centre administrator was kind enough to offer me the option of a free retake next month. They suggested that at the end of the test, I could either get the test score, satisfactory or not, to be submitted to the five schools, or click the ‘Cancel’ button to erase all earlier efforts. The poor sick candidate apologized and promised to control his noises. The GMAT administrator handled me a big headphone in addition to the ear plucks. I decided to proceed to take on the Verbal challenge.
The ten minute optional break was over. My neighbour substantially reduced his noise, but a nearby construction site started producing their noises. Very interesting, I thought. Fotunately, perhaps in a way I had better adapted to the noise pollution, I managed to focus better and complete the 41 questions in time.
It was time. The moment of truth unraveled. Surprisingly it was not as disastrous as what I had imagined. I did well in the verbal session to compensate for my underperformance in the quantitative session.
My GMAT score – 720. Not a fantastic score, but an acceptable one.
I am unsure how this imbalance between Verbal and Quantitative scores will affect my application, and if I should explain for this in the optional essay.
And, should I bother to retake the test or simply move on to the more challenging essay writings?
MBA tour
To Fly to Attend MBA tour or Not ?
My country of residence is not a favorite place for every ivy-league MBA school to hold their information sessions /admission receptions. And MBA tours and many MBA events are scheduled to visit here only in late October / November, meaning they are likely to benefit those who will apply in R2 or later.
Can’t blame them. If the overhead and effort involved in each MBA tour participation or information session planning are relatively similar, a school’s yield will be much higher if the event can reach out to a larger population.
This translates to if I need to attend a MBA tour / a few MBA information sessions in August/ September, well before the R1 October application deadlines, I need to
- travel by air to a neighboring country
- Spend probably 1-2 weeks in another country since the different MBA events are scheduled to be some days apart.
The $2000- question is therefore whether I could score points with the admission committees and derive insights about the schools in a way otherwise impossible without traveling overseas solely to attend a MBA tour and related events ?
My country of residence is not a favorite place for every ivy-league MBA school to hold their information sessions /admission receptions. And MBA tours and many MBA events are scheduled to visit here only in late October / November, meaning they are likely to benefit those who will apply in R2 or later.
Can’t blame them. If the overhead and effort involved in each MBA tour participation or information session planning are relatively similar, a school’s yield will be much higher if the event can reach out to a larger population.
This translates to if I need to attend a MBA tour / a few MBA information sessions in August/ September, well before the R1 October application deadlines, I need to
- travel by air to a neighboring country
- Spend probably 1-2 weeks in another country since the different MBA events are scheduled to be some days apart.
The $2000- question is therefore whether I could score points with the admission committees and derive insights about the schools in a way otherwise impossible without traveling overseas solely to attend a MBA tour and related events ?
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