Monday, March 30, 2009

My First Admit

Bright and early at 10am PST, I received a call from an unknown number which I conveniently sent to voicemail. Little did I realize that it was the Admissions Director of the UC Davis MBA program. With a hopeful smile on my face and good thoughts racing through I head, I immediately called back and sure enough, she extended her personal congratulations on my acceptance into their program. Yay! It is such a huge relief to know that my future is filled with much more hope and optimism now. I know an MBA is only a means to an end and wherever that end will be, I'll be equipped with the resources to make it happen! Only last week I was blogging about the wait and now, I have one of my questions answered; it feels amazing, albeit quite surreal, and even as I type this, I don't think it's completely registered in my mind yet. But of course, it will sink in soon enough:)

UPDATE: I received my nifty admit package in the mail on Friday..yay! It's for reals!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Wait

I've been slacking on my posts b/c apparently, this waiting game has been excrutiatingly painful. I had my interview with UC Davis a week ago and so far, nothing. Haven't heard back from any of my other schools either, so I'm fearful of not-so-great news coming my way next week--eek! Anyhow, the only thing that's been updated thus far is the HBS director's blog which reads

"Something for Everyone!
Date: March 24, 2009
This is the time of year when we have all three rounds in play, so here is some news for everyone:

Round One Waitlist - We will be extending offers of admission to about 40 round one waitlisters shortly after April 2. We will continue to maintain a waitlist and Eileen Chang will send out an update in early April.

Round Two Notification - April 2 is the notification date. All decisions will be released online - you will receive an email instructing you to check your status. We won't be making any congratulatory phone calls in advance of April 2!"

One can only cling on to whatever hope is left in this bschool journey, but geesh..let's just get the pain over with and tell us, already!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

2009 MBA Scholarship: Apply now!

I wish someone had told me about this when I started my process for bschool, so in keeping with my promise to give back, I'm going to encourage all of you who are embarking on your MBA dreams to apply for this awesome opportunity to save LOADS of your own money with the 2009 Beat the GMAT Scholarship. Any of the prizes would be worth it for me b/c you still receive a free Manhattan GMAT prep course, which I highly recommend to anybody preparing for their GMAT. I blogged about MGMAT in my earlier posts in 2008, so browse my archive. BTW: I should add that the contest is open to both U.S. & international students. Anyhow, here's the cool prizes they're offering:

* First Prize ($5490 total value)
o $500 Cash
o One full Manhattan GMAT course
o 1 School Comprehensive Package with Stacy Blackman Consulting

* Second Prize ($2310 total value)
o $500 Cash
o One full Manhattan GMAT course
o 2500-word Editing Service with Stacy Blackman Consulting

* Third Prize ($2210 total value)
o $500 Cash
o One full Manhattan GMAT course
o 1000-word Editing Service with Stacy Blackman Consulting

* Fourth Prize ($2020 total value)
o $500 Cash
o One full Manhattan GMAT course
o Copy of MBA Application Roadmap by Stacy Blackman

* Fifth Prize ($1990 total value)
o $500 Cash
o One full Manhattan GMAT course

The final day to apply is May 8, so get started! What are you waiting for? Besides, it's a great way to jumpstart your application process and be ahead of the game.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The MBA: To do or not to do in this economy

It's been on a mind for quite some time now and at first, I hesitated to post anything about the inevitable shadows of doubt that linger in my head regarding my MBA in the midst of a horrid economic downturn, but today, I just couldn't resist after reading Stacy Blackman's post on BNET regarding the arrogance of MBA degree holders and questionable viability of the three letters during this moment in time. The post hit close to home and I had to share my ponderings with you. The other week, I calculated my monetary investments (thus far) in my quest for an MBA and here's what I came up with:

1. MGMAT Prep Course: $1390
2. Estimated Travel Expense to MGMAT/Info Sessions: $475
3. GMAT Exam: $250
4. Bschool Application Fees: $1075

GRAND Total: $3190...yowsers!

I guess this is why most of my friends are not getting MBAs anytime in the near future. Already, the financial investment towards an MBA is a huge hurdle for many of us who work in the education/nonprofit sector, and this is not even calculating the mental fatigue of sleepless nights, stressing, worrying before, during and after the application process. If accepted, I have to submit a deposit and so forth. The potential MBA bill is scary to say the least but even as I type this post, I know that investing in myself is the best and most secure financial decision I will ever make in my life. I hope that once I achieve my own dreams, I can enable those of others who find themselves in a similar situation. I can't help but wonder how many people whose dreams are stunted because of the immense financial obligations they must take care of (mortgage, flood insurance (just got my letter to renew), car payments, food, the list goes on). I am fortunate that somehow my hubby and I have managed to weather the storm and stay afloat even as friends around us are facing foreclosures and bankruptcies (I know, crazy, right?).

Even more, I am thankful that I am chronicling my journey in this blog. Many moons from now when I look back, it will be meaningful to remember all the little steps I had to take (and countless sacrifices my hubby has had to make) for me to realize my MBA aspirations. So, I say: Yes, the dismal economy does take its toll on me, but does it deter me from my original goals? No way, dude! It only makes me that much more determined to go after them. I believe that it is especially during moments such as these, there is so much room for MBAs to do great things with their knowledge and resources. I can't wait to be one of them.