Envy

I must admit some jealousy creeps out whenever I meet Wharton MBA alums. I went to their recent info session and spent a good hour talking to three of them. One was a Lauder grad from the late 80's, one was a current Lauder 2nd year and the last was a Lauder '04 grad. A nice spectrum of opinions. The one thing I was envious of was their common views on how much fun they had/were having and how many friends they were making.

Beyond the technical benefits and the career transitions, the single thing that excites me is a ton of new potential friends. Is this weird? Each time I've gone into a new situation - grade school, high school, college, study abroad, working - I've always enjoyed the "honeymoon" phase the most. The time when you're just meeting tons of people and trying to figure out who people really are underneath the accomplishments, the jobs, the courses, and the smiles/frowns.

I should be hearing if my Wharton app is complete by the end of the week, but I am not concerned. I have my halloween costume (Rick James), I'm healthy and pounding the books for the CFA. Life is good. :-P

post-Hawaii

I just got back from a five day holiday to Maui to celebrate the submission of three apps, visit my best friend, and most importantly to recover from the stress of the last nine months (CFA Level I exam in June, Chinese class, GMAT's, apps, work, volunteering with a mentorship program).

The whole time in Hawaii thought put a lot of clarity in my mind. Besides speaking more slowly, wanting to wear "slippahs" and occasionally breaking into pidgin (yo bruddah, how's it?), I really found myself at ease despite all the stress in the economy and the markets. I work at an investment bank in technology and operations and many people are stressed, but I now tell them: why be stressed? You can only control so much. Don't overload on company stock, plan for contingencies, and be thankful for the prosperity and fortune you've had thus far in life. It can ALWAYS be worse. Much worse that being able to apply to business school or any of the things we take for granted.

Now that the applications are in though, I find myself eagerly awaiting some kind of response. It's hard to balance that feeling that a certain school is right for me with the sobering reality that it MAY NOT be. It's a lot like dating - it has to be a mutual thing. Ever noticed that?

Of all the girls - ahem - schools, whom I'd like to come a calling, Lauder is that ultra hot one in the corner who knows she's the shiznit. And when she comes to ask for a dance, it's like any scene in a horrible teen movie where the geek gets to dance with the prom queen. I'm the geek, in case you missed the reference. I'm going to bed now. I hope I have the same dream I did last night - where I imagined my first week of bschool. :-P

HARVARD AND CHICAGO ARE DONE

What a day.

First, I completed both my Harvard and Chicago applications. God, is it done for now? I think so... :-D

Second, I went to a Wharton info session tonight and had a chance to speak with Marcy Bevan, Director of Admissions and External Affairs for the Lauder Program. It was refreshing to see the woman behind the decisions again. I had met her last December on campus and after speaking with alums tonight, I am even MORE convinced that Wharton is the school for me.

I won't get picky if I get into Chicago or Harvard, but dude...Lauder is PERFECT. I just want to get to the interview!! :-P

Quick Reply

This is the timeframe for Wharton, according to the email they sent me:

Thank you for submitting your application for Round One.

The following will provide you with information concerning the processing of application materials, timeline for the release of interview invitations, and final decision releases.

If your online account reads "Complete - Round One," your application has all the required materials, has been processed by the Operations Team, and has been forwarded to the Committee for review.

If your online account 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 (assuming they arrived before the Round One deadline), your online account will be changed to "Complete for Round One" and your file will be forwarded to the Committee for review. Due to the high number of candidates who submitted their application during the past few days (more than 60% of candidates applying for Round One 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 Thursday, October 30th before inquiring about the completeness of your application.

Candidates who applied by hard-copy will receive information by e-mail about how to access their online account when the processing of their application is complete. All applications submitted by hard-copy will be processed by Thursday, October 30th.

The Admissions Committee will begin to release interview invitations on Thursday, October 23rd and will continue to release invitations on a daily basis until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, November 13th. Due to the nature and complexity associated with the admissions process there is no particular order in which invitations are released. Also on November 13th, 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, December 4th. 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.

Candidates who are offered an interview will receive their final admissions decision by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Monday, December 22nd.

Thank you again for applying to Wharton. We look forward to reading your application.

Sincerely,

Wharton MBA Admissions Committee
Lauder Admissions

Is that not crazy? I will find out by Nov. 13 if I have been selected to interview and final decisions come out by Dec. 22. DAAANG.

Suggestions

If you're reading this and applying round two, PLEASE learn from what I've done.

-Make sure you review your essays WELL in advance and get critical feedback early on. Nothing worse than having great feedback come too late to make appropriate changes.
-Don't overwhelm your reviewers with too many essays. Target them!
-Make sure your comments and answers are consistent - make it easy for readers to read!
-Stories are an excellent way to make a point. Be a good story teller and you'll help your reader understand it.
-ANSWER THE QUESTION in one sentence before attempting to do so in a 400-500 word essay. If you can do this in one sentence you can do so in an essay.


On that note, Harvard and Chicago are almost done! Yay! And vacay in two days. Uber yay.

WHARTON APP IS DONE

There it is. My 24 page PDF is now in the hands of Wharton. I spent so many hours reviewing, polishing, re-writing and now it's done.

I sent off my app to Wharton tonight and both my recommenders submitted their respective recommendations. I paid my fee and my app is submitted. Hot dog. I really really really really really really want to go to Lauder.

Now Harvard and Chicago next week - yippee. :-P

technology sucks

YIKES. The Wharton app is down. I was trying to resend the link to my recommender so she could finish it and what happens? The Wharton site crashes. And there's still two days! WTF!

Alright. The GMAT is, for better or worse, done. I am preparing my application and finishing my essays so I can submit to Wharton next week and then Harvard the following week. Chicago is still up in the air, but I may try to get that app done as well.

Here goes...

Once this is done, Hawaii for a week, then the CFA prep for December begins. I want to be in b-school!!!! NOW!!!