tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197402152024-03-13T06:48:47.176-05:00etc and etc...The journey of "I"...Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.comBlogger314125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-40995525509078911952009-10-14T16:47:00.006-05:002009-10-14T17:12:29.055-05:00Where's my Fall???I am from Chennai. We have four seasons. Hot, Hotter, Hottest, and one where it rains. I moved to Chicago. I was promised I'd experience the real four seasons. I've seen them all. Cold, Colder, Coldest, and one where the sun teases us between rain showers. As much as i enjoy cold weather (I honestly do), can a brother enjoy some variety please!!!<br /><br />This last month (yeah I post once a month these days) has been all about the weather.<br />And all that resting and relaxing.<br />And a lot of cooking - the internet is full of information goldmines!<br />And discovering more of Chicago - thanks to all my friends.<br />And the movies - thank you Hollywood for a fairly decent summer line-up. NetFlix rocks.<br />And the PlayStation3 - thank you Sony for the new device, and the drop in prices.<br />And the books.<br /><br />Yeah - I said <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">books</span>. I started this summer with this grand plan to finish writing a biographical book. Given how long the break has been (Four more weeks to go) I've been inspired with two other plots that I'm seriously considering writing. These are fiction plots, and hence completely uncharted waters for me. But I'm excited about the plots - so I might at least try. The first book hasn't made as much progress as I'd like to claim - but it has made some good progress. I'm only working on that book for now - the fiction books need a LOT of research that I haven't even started looking into. This is going to be a great winter! It's time for that library membership ;)<br /><br />So all these "activities" kept me occupied during last month. Next month seems to promise more of these activities, and a return to a some analytical, business world stuff - as I prepare to transition into my work. Given how much I've relaxed, I plan to get working on some basics in the next few weeks. Hopefully they'll get me up to speed. I'm really looking forward to start working.<br /><br />So that's that for now. Till later, stay warm and be nice!Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-73989612429725878142009-09-18T21:18:00.007-05:002009-09-21T09:32:09.756-05:00Tic Toc Tic TocThe operative word this summer is time! How much time I have, how well I spend my time, how I find ways to kill time and what I gain from all this time I had/have. Clearly, I haven't done enough blogging - but I have definitely done a few things with this time that I had!<br /><br />First of all - the summer has been a boon in terms of Me-Time! And I needed lots of it. Looking back, I realize that a LOT of things happened since I came back from Chile last year. School, Classes, Job, Friends, Family - things I did, things we did, things people did to me, things people did to themselves, and other things that just happen! Remember how we feel when a very good movie comes to an abrupt end? I felt exactly the same way! A little bit numb, a little bit empty, but a lot to process. I've used the free to time to sit down, look back and put everything in perspective.<br /><br />Having evaluated last year - I just want to say it has been one hell of an experience! On so many aspects, I've learned so much! I've seen new levels of goodness and badness around me. While I'm grateful for all the good things that happened and all the good people I met, I'm not one to sit here and complain about all the bad stuff that happened and all the bad people I met. I can only control the things I do, and the things I say - so the best way to move forward is to leave the bad stuff (and people) behind and get rid of them from my life. To start focus on myself, who I am, what I can do and what I should do!<br /><br />All this free time has also helped me catch up with the things I missed doing during business school. I've watched almost all movies released this summer. I'm in the middle of 6 (or 7) different books. I'm writing again - even though I haven't made as much progress with the book as I'd like to claim! I've been hitting the gym frequently. I've started cooking frequently. I'm hanging out with friends, getting in touch with friends I haven't called in a while and making new friends. I've just been doing fun things - I went to a U2 concert, I attended many shows at Millennium Park, I've tried out new restaurants in the city, I've taken more photographs, I've walked around new locations in the city, I went to museums with friends, I've been to new bars! Overall - I feel like life is back!<br /><br />After a bad period of time, I really feel alive! And I really believe all this Me-Time was absolutely necessary for me to get back to where I am today. Now I'm all fired up to start working and kick some ass! I just can't for November. In the meantime, I am simply going to have a lot of fun!Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-59279987229684067672009-08-13T21:49:00.004-05:002009-08-13T22:31:53.686-05:00The return of the jugglerThree years ago, we met as fellow bloggers and b-school applicants. We survived through the think and thin of business school, and have grown into good friends. The one thing she must have done, but did not - was to blog! But now she's <a href="http://thembasaga.blogspot.com/2009/08/back-and-blogging.html">back and blogging</a>.<br /><br />It is good to have her back and I really look forward to her posts.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-44112867145135896962009-07-14T19:59:00.005-05:002009-07-15T19:31:37.286-05:00I Dont Know What I'm Doing This SummerFirst of all - thanks to <a href="http://julydream.blogspot.com/">JulyDream </a>for helping me with the contact details of her friend who wrote and published a book. It was very nice of her, and her friend was very very helpful. It has definitely given me more direction in my pursuit.<br /><br />It has been a month since I graduated. So much has happened, and still so little has moved forward (if at all)! I feel like I'm in a stage where I'm leaving one life and moving into another one. Beyond anything, I'm finally entering the this-is-so-boring stage of this summer! Really cannot wait to get busy again.<br /><br />The city of Chicago has been quite a phenomenon during the summer - with so much happening. Living in this city isn't just about the snow after all! Even with all that's happening, the city has an empty feeling to it - now that almost all the folks who're moving out of Chicago have officially moved out. I'm trying to take advantage of these options, but going alone is kind of boring.<br /><br />I managed to find a new place to live and I'm VERY excited about my new home! It is pretty close to work, so I can walk when I feel like walking to work. I'm moving there by the end of this month, and hence a lot of other things have been <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">status quo! </span>That kinda makes sense since I'm busy picking furniture for the new place ;) Over the next 15 days, I have loads of things to do - formalities to be completed before I move into my new place.<br /><br />I also feel like I'm going through one more of my transformation stages. I mean, the process has been happening over the last many months - but I am now in the stage where I see myself different from who I've been over the last few years. The whole journey of business school, with all its ups and downs, has added a lot more to me. Things that happened to me and the people I met over the least few years also adds to the mix. Overall I feel like I've learned a lot more about good and bad, and also know where exactly I stand in that spectrum. I also feel I have a greater sense of clarity in what I want to be, and where my life is headed. Since I have too much time at my disposal, I've been introspecting a lot on these changes; and I must admit I feel pretty good about the things I've learned about me during some difficult times.<br /><br />Overall - the mood is one of anxiety. Of looking forward to what's ahead. New place; New job; New people - I feel like I'm all set for a new chapter in life. Being the eternal optimist, I'm working hard to take only the positives from the last few months and move forward with new zeal.<br /><br />And yeah - I do hope to blog more often. Till next time, adios!Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-46238853439650264112009-07-01T15:24:00.003-05:002009-07-01T15:51:30.196-05:00The Man in the MirrorFor many people in my generation, Michael Jackson is arguably the biggest global celebrity of our lives. The music, the moves, the magic - all very hard to replace. His shadow looms so large all along my childhood, and I'm sure all of us have SO many Jackson moments - crying to his songs, trying the moonwalk, wearing the single glove or simply just watching in awe at his performances!<br /><br />This man will truly be missed, but will truly always be remembered through his music.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/snjlNkl9PAA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/snjlNkl9PAA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-19900942207426497602009-06-16T22:26:00.006-05:002009-06-17T00:08:07.408-05:00The Big AnnouncementSince time immemorial, human race has always used history as one of the important tools of self-discovery, and a basis of vision and evolution. Now, some of us could (and mostly would) quote Napoleon, "What is history, but a fable agreed upon?", to incite doubts on the very basis of the argument! But I'm sure there'll be others who agree with me - without these "fables", we would not have come this far. I truly believe that documenting, and sharing life experiences is not only necessary, but the very requirement of evolution; and in some cases survival. I'm simply saying - if there is a story worth telling, it must be told. It must be taken to the audience who needs that story, to learn from it and build upon it; to write their own story on top of it.<br /><br />I write this post today, as someone who has accomplished a mission that started three-and-a-half years ago, and as someone who has experienced a lot over that time period. These years, and the experiences, have enriched me with perspectives and viewpoints that will hopefully serve me well in the years to come. In the process, they have also improved me as a human being.<br /><br />I believe mine is a story worth sharing. I have had one hell of a time over the last many months and I believe there are many things I want to share from those months. I believe I have a unique story to tell. I have had more than my fair share of failures in these years - and I believe that makes my story even more important to share. In short - I believe in my story, and I'm ready to share it.<br /><br />Yeah folks - that's the big announcement. I'm planning to spend my break writing a book about the last three-and-a-half years of my life. I have never written a book before, but I have read a few. I have never gone through the process of publishing a book. Heck, I don't even know if my writing is publish-worthy!<br /><br />But I simply believe I have something important to say, and I'm gonna try and tell my story as best as I can. Hopefully some publisher will like it and the book will see the light of the day. If not, I'd have at least spent this time usefully! Most of all, if and when the book does get published, I hope that its readers will learn from my mistakes and have a better experience.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-80147293905863757162009-06-16T01:13:00.004-05:002009-06-16T01:29:57.020-05:00GraduationI walked The Walk! University of Chicago held its 498th convocation this weekend. On the lush lawns of the <a href="https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/archived/tour/harper.html">Harper Quadrangle</a> of the University, I received my MBA degree on Sunday along with 550 others from the Class of 2009. We were the first class to graduate from Chicago Booth, following our school's name change last fall. That made the occasion quite historic.<br /><br />The ceremony was extremely well organized, and very academic. The whole ceremony, from gathering everyone in lines, to the degree awarding ceremony, to the reception after the ceremony - everything happened in a span of six hours. You can read more about it in this enthusiastic <a href="http://ibn-e-sina.blogspot.com/2009/06/498th-university-of-chicago-booth.html">post </a>made by a classmate. By the end of it, we ceased to be students and we were back in the real world.<br /><br />Most of my friends had family and friends who'd come to view the ceremony. I was one of the few people who had no one accompanying them. All the people who I badly wanted to be there - some cannot come, some could not come. It felt strange, having no one to wave at, having no one by your side - and meeting friends, families and partners of my classmates only increased that feeling. I looked past it and tried to have a decent time. Food was great and I was glad I managed to catch up with all the people I wanted to meet before they left for their corners of the world, and ended the day with a nice dinner.<br /><br />So thus officially ends the four year pursuit of an MBA education. Now it's time to <a href="http://i4iday.blogspot.com/2009/06/school-ends.html">put it to some good use</a> in this mad mad world!Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-79418874131476102892009-06-10T21:21:00.004-05:002009-07-06T05:32:03.382-05:00A Long PauseYesterday, I had my final final-exam of business school. I also turned in all other work necessary for my courses. So I am officially done with business school. I am an MBA; one of the first 550 from Chicago Booth. The only thing that remains is the graduation walk. My iGoogle countdown says it is 4 days away! Really excited and looking forward to it - considering this is going to be my first (and possibly the only) graduation walk of my life. Hopefully it will be a good day.<br /><br />Today was the first day after school. After a REALLY long time, my calendar was free for the entire day and is going to be free for a long time. Honestly - this emptiness kills me. And I have five more months of this and I have to get extremely creative and find ways to make use of myself. I want to rest for a few days and then start working on things one after the other. There is SO much I need to do.<br /><br />As mentioned in the previous post, I've been in an introspective/self-analytical mode for the last few days. I've been looking back at the days. I am planning to publish a post summarizing my business school experience - my lows and highs, and the things I've learned in the past two years. It could happen very soon, considering I have way too much time these days!<br /><br />There's just so much I want to say though - business school has really been life altering for me in many many ways. I'm really thankful for all the people I've met in school, the moments we shared, the discussions we had, every course-pack i read, every business case i analyzed, every new problem i solved, every interview i prepared for and every bit of merriment my classmates threw at each other! Business school will also always hold a special place in my heart! I can't ask for more.<br /><br />I'm not saying everything was great - there were many bad moments. As one of my professors like to frequently say about business school, "Isn't it just like life." So very true. But I've learned as much from the low points, as from the more joyful ones. As an entire package, the school played a significant role in changing me into who I am today compared to who I was two years ago! Also, it has given me a better sense of direction and purpose; and brought closure to some of the important things in a person's life. Hopefully I'll do a good job summarizing all of it in a single blog post, but I doubt it.<br /><br />I also have an exciting decision to share with you all. It is related to business school and the blog. Since I am in an introspective and writing mood, and also since I have too much time at my disposal, I am also considering doing something that I hope would be exciting/useful for everyone. Watch out for a post in that regard too.<br /><br />Right - too many promises about too many future posts. Time to go watch that DVD!<br />Take care everyone!Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-77279792530345292892009-06-06T08:27:00.008-05:002009-07-06T05:33:01.889-05:00School ends; Life continues...<span xmlns=""><p>This comes exactly three years after the day of my GMAT. A perfectly timed MBA experience! Not a perfect one though :)<br /><br />I had my last class yesterday. It was a great class to end my two years at Chicago Booth, as it reminded of everything this school stands for - good professors, great analysis and wonderful classmates. As I was joking to someone at the Class Celebration yesterday evening, I feel like I've grown old faster over the last couple of years. Many of us here think that way! In the process, we've also become wiser.<br /><br />Yesterday, in more ways than one - academically, professionally, personally, socially - summarized the story of my life. The 24 - 30 hour period between Thursday evening and Friday night was filled with huge, life-impacting, unforgettable events and as I sit here on this lazy Saturday morning, musing at all that happened and all that led to all that happened; I can't stop thinking "How did I get here."<br /><br />I am in a bittersweet mood. What started more than three and a half years ago, the quest for fine business education finally came to an end yesterday. Three and a half years!!! That's a lot of learning and thousands of hours of hard work. That sure is a good reason to celebrate! The Dean's office did time it perfectly in hosting the Class of 2009 Celebration yesterday. It was a wonderful event, and everyone had a lot of fun - with great food.<br /><br />But as I wandered around the alleys of the Winter Garden in Harper Center while the rest of my class was letting go on the dance floor, the other things in my mind made me sober. The greater challenges ahead of me prevented me from jumping in. For all the insulation supposedly offered by the cocoon of the business school environment from the real world, we all know that the times are a lot less celebratory in nature.<br /><br />Over the last couple of years - I've been through a lot and quite understandably learned a lot! So it always helps me stand away from a moment, and look at the big picture. The picture in front of me was not good.<br /><br />Most importantly, my personal life could be a lot better. I could have done some things better, and as a result I find myself in a very difficult situation. At this moment it looks like a fight I'm going to fight for the rest of my life - but I'm fully committed to that fight! This is a lifelong commitment either way! The sooner I win it, the better my life will be - but if, unfortunately, this is going to drag on forever - I'm up for it.<br /><br />Professionally though - I am standing at the verge of a great opportunity that I hope to make the best use of. But far beyond that - I look at all the things I see in this world, and I wonder what role I could play in improving some of it; any of it! This blog won't be sufficient to list all the issues we face today - there's so many people out there who need so many things, very basic things in some cases, and they all could use so much more help. Here in Chicago, my new home, I am close to so many of these vagaries. I see the results of racial differences, neglected communities, poverty and homelessness! My trip to Africa took me closer to some of the other vagaries - neglected countries and people with a lot less opportunities. I was thinking of the movie "Hotel Rwanda" throughout the trip!<br /><br />People will argue we're making progress, but we all know that there could be more done. Organizations that are currently working on these issues are far from efficient. I've worked with an organization that tries to create opportunities for people in lesser economies and I've seen the inefficiencies. I've helped and interacted with a few non-profit organizations fighting various causes in America, and I have friends who have worked with them too. I'd like to think I know a little bit. I was recently discussing regarding these issues with a friend on our way to school one day. She had a lot of experience working with such agencies and is very passionate about leading some kind of change, and she was talking about the inefficiencies she had faced so far. My answer was that there's still a lot of work to be done and that kind of work needs a lot of committed people. If you look at the lives of various groups of people around the world - there are way too many complex issues to tear this world apart. This world, and the human race, could be SO much better!<br /><br />I was not sure if it was the right thing to sit and think about my personal issues and these issues of my fellow <em>homo sapiens</em> at a place where we were supposed to rejoice the achievements of the past two years – but that's exactly what I did. The personal issues obviously weigh in always, but the other stuff has been playing in my mind for a long time. I really see me playing a role to make some kind of change somewhere. I wonder what I could do. I wonder what any of us could do. And oftentimes, I wonder what ALL of us could do.<br /><br />I started writing this blog to chronicle my life, not just my application and business school experiences. I intend to continue doing just that - chronicle my life, its joys and vagaries all included. As with everything I've done so far, I also intend to discuss my efforts towards some of these goals I want to set for myself, and get public opinion on what I'm doing and how I should proceed.<br /><br />So there goes two great years of my life. And here's to the rest of it. I hope I continue to work on what I've done so far, and build on that further to do something to help with these challenges that surround us, while continuing the constant search for a hopefully satisfying life!</p></span>Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-3178553358284431792009-04-25T06:38:00.003-05:002009-04-25T06:45:00.301-05:00Academics @ Chicago BoothWell - I finally managed to come up with the second edition of @ Chicago Booth. In this post, I wanted to talk about my academic experience @ Chicago Booth. I am half way through my last quarter, so i guess I'm more than 90% (yeah, that's how we roll) qualified to comment about my experience here so far. Really, it only takes a year to figure out this stuff.<br /><br />Let me start with the bottom line. When people say that Chicago Booth is known for its academic rigor, well, people are NOT lying. I have friends who go to most of the top schools, and all of us get killed with the amount of course work we have. The difference - what other schools achieve with at least 5 courses per semester, Chicago achieves with a maximum of four courses per quarter. The Quarter system changes the dynamics completely. It is intense, quick and extremely productive. I have definitely learned a LOT over the last two years inside the classroom. In this aspect - I have been thoroughly impressed with the school and I'd rate it 4.5 on 5. I don't want to give a perfect 5 because there are minor issues that i wanna touch upon later in this post.<br /><br />So why is the academic aspect of Chicago Booth so powerful?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Professors </span>- To put it succinctly, they run the show. The school gives them a free hand (with limited instructions around "important" issues like grading) and the professors do a fairly good job of honoring that responsibility. Forget the Nobel prize professors! You'd hardly take any of their courses because they mostly teach advanced concepts and they're ridiculously hard! There are many many other professors, at the cutting edge of research, frequently quoted by most leading journals, respected the world around - who take the most extreme pleasure in imparting all that knowledge into our heads. Just being in a class is oftentimes a great experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Material </span>- The extensive research that happens in Chicago is very much obvious in the classrooms. The Chicago approach to teach through empirical evidence and the heavy influence of the Chicago school of economics (both of which i strongly subscribe to) adds a unique flavor to business education inside the classrooms. For someone like me, that is a very very enjoyable prospect! Apart from that, just like all top schools - professors do get creative and add a lot of multimedia and external sources to add their own touch to the classes. Fun Fun!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flexibility </span>- <span style="font-style: italic;">Do you feel like sleeping longer in the morning?</span> Try the evening class for a week! <span style="font-style: italic;">Do you just want to audit a class?</span> Oh mostly welcome! <span style="font-style: italic;">You don't have the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prereqs</span> but you think you qualify to take a class?</span> Just talk to the prof! <span style="font-style: italic;">You don't want ANY other accounting class after Acct.101?</span> Sure you can do it. Welcome to the land of "Do what you wanna do". It is a power; It is a responsibility; everyone figures it out; everyone uses it very well. It works out beautifully for everyone, and mostly people feel like they learn more of what they want to learn in school.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Classmates </span>- I know this is cliched; but they definitely do deserve a mention. I have certainly learnt a lot from my classmates, and the knowledge they have brought to the classroom. And I'm pretty sure this is true across all schools.<br /><br />So the reason for chopping off 0.5 pt from the score above?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scheduling </span>- Most of the professors teach a maximum of 3 to 5 sections per year. Especially the top ones. Even though the schedule is laid out before the year starts and everyone is given time to prepare their best schedules, with conflicting classes, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">prerequisites</span>, bid-point matters and preferential issues I feel like students loose some of these classes or the situation forces them to make compromises. Not ideal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quality </span>- Very rarely, students end up with professors who are clearly not impressive. In all such situations, the professor under question is a new one the school is trying out and hence the school doesn't have info. Many of these professors improve in the subsequent years following feedback from classes, internal training and by learning from their experienced peers; but the earlier classes of these professors do tend to suck and I don't know how to incubate these new professors in a better way and save these guinea pig batches! I've been a part of a couple such classes!<br /><br />Overall - I am thoroughly happy with the academic experience. There are few minor sore points; but in the larger scheme of things they are not that big! At the core aspects of an academic institution, Chicago performs very very strongly!<br /><br />I am not sure if this post added anything new considering there is SO much info available about schools already. All I'm hoping that this post validates, from a first person perspective, most of the things you've already known about the academic experience @ Chicago Booth.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-92000670794163120492009-04-16T11:58:00.005-05:002010-01-31T13:27:59.804-06:00BoB nomination again!A special shoutout to the BoB team for <a href="http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/best-of-blogging-nominees-2008-2009/">shortlisting </a>me one more time this year. I've been honored with the BoB award two years in a row, and I'm extremely thrilled to be nominated again. I am not very sure about making it to the final list, I have been extremely irregular and blogged very little these days - thanks to a business school that keeps us busy till the very end (and our end is not too far). Also, there is a lot of very active and very good bloggers in that list with me. But i'm happy to even make it to this list.<br /><br />I have a promise to fulfil - the @Booth series of posts. I'm gonna make that happen in the next few weeks for sure! I dunno how, but i realize I just have to find time. I also have a lot of things to write about - like my amazing Spring Break trip to Africa with a bunch of Boothies. Hopefully I'll find more time to share that experience with you!<br /><br />Hope everything is fine with everyone, and all of you are living a happy life in your respective quarter of the tiny little world. Hope to speak more to you all in the days to come...Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-6926648877621576882009-02-22T11:04:00.002-06:002009-02-22T11:12:50.147-06:00The Third EyeI was always a sucker for good photography. I was not too happy with the pictures my fancy digicam produced, but was not sure if I deserved the step up to a <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/">quality SLR</a>. Finally I mustered some courage and <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14256">bought an SLR</a> in the middle of 2008. I am still a novice and have to learn to use it well, to tap into the camera's fullest potential. With business school sucking almost every minute out of my life, I've hardly managed to spend quality time with the device. Still I managed a few good shots over the last few months, and thought I'd publish them to the world - to express my "angle" on things and more importantly to get feedback.<br /><br />Here's my <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Idayathullah/Picks#">public gallery</a><br /><br />Hopefully I'll improve in the years to come...Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-75163292038421914072009-02-20T19:43:00.002-06:002009-02-20T19:48:20.825-06:00The Crisis of Credit - VisualizedThe Credit Crisis explained...<br /><br /><object width="500" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q0zEXdDO5JU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q0zEXdDO5JU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="500" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYhDkZjKBEw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iYhDkZjKBEw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />Key take away: This affects EVERYONE!Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-76502859892547832762009-02-09T10:39:00.004-06:002010-01-31T13:26:49.841-06:00Back Back BackOh I'm back!<br /><br />The last few weeks have been crazy. Ever since school started this quarter, it's been like someone took over my life. It is all my doing though, but I dont repent it. How much ever painful the last few weeks have been, they were also a lot of fun!<br /><br />So what have I been upto - lots of things. First of all, I signed up for four courses this quarter, hoping to have a lighter last quarter. Strangely, ALL four of my courses have a LOT of work. Like one deliverable every week. So with all that reading, writing and group work - academic work this quarter is HEAVY. Then there is the annual New Venture Challenge; my team just submitted our application. And then there is campusCATALYST, where i mentor a group of undergrads who're consulting a Chicago based non-profit.<br /><br />But the thing that took most of my time these past weeks was also the thing i enjoyed the most - giving mock cases to first years to help prepare them for their interviews. It has been most satisfying to offer feedback to these folks and then watch them come back as better candidates. In the process, I've also learnt that there are a gazillion ways to approach any case. I've learnt a lot of new case tricks from these first years!<br /><br />Oh with all the work - I managed to exhaust myself beyond belief and promptly fell sick. It was kind of weird though, as I wouldnt get well for like two full weeks.<br /><br />I'm well now, the cases preps season is over and we dont hear about NVC till end of this month. I feel like I've reclaimed my life, not kidding!!! So now it is time to get working on the promised <a href="http://i4iday.blogspot.com/2008/12/chicago-booth.html">series </a>of posts.<br /><br />And oh - i'm going to Africa this spring break. Bloody thrilled about the trip - minus the paper work part :)Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-6880007778680371032008-12-27T18:59:00.010-06:002009-01-05T19:06:03.087-06:00LEAD @ Chicago BoothChicago Booth is a lot of things, and some more. I decided to pick <a href="http://www.chicagogsb.edu/fulltime/academics/experiential/lead.aspx">LEAD</a> as my first topic, because it is the first thing we do as Chicago students- and something that is expected to have a long lasting influence in developing tomorrow’s leaders; and hence improve our lives for the two years at Booth and beyond.<br /><br />LEAD starts at CORE, the Booth version of orientation and is designed to help student interaction. One great aspect of LEAD is that it is run by second years - so it connects the incoming class and the returning class both formally and informally.<br /><br />The program starts with The Leadership Outdoor Experience (LOE) - a three day mandatory retreat to Lake Geneva. It is like boot camp all over - but a lot more fun. The LEAD facilitators (second years) design numerous team building activities for the three days - and by the time we return from LOE, we would know a lot more people than we can remember names of. Also, LEAD is the only program we take as a cohort. The entire class is split into ten cohorts, and each cohort is then split into eight squads. You know your squad and your cohort for the entire two year - and hence chances are that you'll find your closest buddies in these groups. LOE is followed by classroom sessions that touch upon numerous leadership topics like ethics, team building, crisis management, etc. The second years have some autonomy on how they manage these classes and they try to make it fun by using videos, cases and real life examples. The LEAD program finally ends with Golden Gargoyles – an annual event where cohorts make movies from which the best movies will get $$$. Overall - the program is designed to be a fun, enjoyable arena where an individual's strengths and weaknesses are identified, analyzed and opportunities are given to improve on them. This information also helps individuals approach classrooms and other group work as better team players and leaders.<br /><br />Does the program work - mostly yes. People have a love hate relationship with LEAD. There are many factors at play that lead to mixed reactions from LEAD:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">People expect too much from the program</span> - no one is gonna remodel you in 10 weeks. All you will have is the knowledge that you are awesome in some aspect and you also suck at certain areas. You'll have a to-do list, but eventually <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">you</span> gotta work on it. LEAD is 100% a "What You Get Is What You Give". Unfortunately, no MBA student has enough time to invest in LEAD.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The experience is not uniform</span> - second years run the program. They are people. They all have different styles and different approaches. The class is also diverse and has people from different backgrounds and experience levels. The program definitely aims at finding a middle ground - to be valuable to everyone. People sometimes compare their experiences across the table and go bah; which I don’t think is fair - because as a whole, the system works.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The program is very theoretical</span> - this was true in my case. I'd have preferred to do more hands on exercises, to see how I react to situations. To see how my team mates react to situations. I learn the best from such experiences, but we felt we could have more of those than discussion scenarios with PowerPoint slides! Fortunately, this aspect was improved this year for the incoming class - but by how much, I am not sure.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The LEAD program is reflective</span> - this is debatable; but personally I think it is true. The LEAD facils are second years. They haven’t been to the real world, used LEAD skills over a significant period of time, to come back and say "Hey this worked this way". What we hear is "In my prev job, this is how it worked" or "This is how it would work in our future jobs". By how much this dilutes the experience - we don’t know yet. I say yet because, true to GSB style, we have a professor researching on this and we'll know the results in a couple of decades!</li></ul>Now - all is not bad with LEAD. I said the program mostly works. This is why:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Learnings</span> - In the very first LEAD class, me and my squad were given a case, asked to solve it and were videotaped! It was <span style="font-style: italic;">hilarious </span>to watch ourselves crack this case. But we also learnt how we behave in a team environment - right from our posture to the tone of our voice to the level of participation. This is just one example - there were numerous instances when I discovered aspects and qualities in me that I did not know I had in me. Fortunately, I've worked on my to-do list. What I hear from my friends (who knew me before school) makes me believe that it has worked. This is the very reason behind LEAD and this is why I said it works.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The People</span> - it is no wonder that I'm good friends with all six of my squad mates, and know everyone in my cohort. It works the same way for all 55 of us in our cohort; and all 55 of us in each cohort. There are also avenues to meet the cohort before us and the cohort after us. We also have a sister cohort and sister squad concept - which was not really a big hit because we did very few exercises with them. There's also a quarter long competition for cohorts - so we compete and get to meet people from other cohorts, under the LEAD banner. This is another motive behind LEAD and the program scores heavily on this aspect.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The feedback</span> - There is a facil attached to each squad. He's in-charge of ensuring that your LEAD experience is the best. One of his responsibilities is to offer you feedback - at carefully designed points in the program - to help you catch things that you missed. There's feedback from your peers - your squad mates. If you stepped on someone's foot - you'll know right there. No hard feelings. Finally, as I’ll explain in the next point, there are numerous moments when the programs trigger the internal feedback system and help you see yourself in a different light. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The opportunities</span> - nowhere else would you get such a risk free environment to test your mettle and see if you've improved. There's the classroom, the cases, the exercises, golden gargoyles, leadership positions inside your cohort, the LEAD challenge - just way too many moments that will show you who you are. Now go work on them...</li></ul>These are the key aspects of LEAD that I've noticed in the last 18 months. I've seen two batches of LEAD - so I've also seen how the program is evolving. I think it is going in the right direction.<br /><br />If I take a step back and evaluate its role in my MBA experience, I'd say it is definitely a value add to the program. If you put in a fair amount of time and effort into the program, you'll get a fair amount out of it. And if that is done well, you'll improve as a team player and as a leader - and you'll have enough to handle future situations in school, and beyond, quite well and, dare I say, better than you used to.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-10707288100459624032008-12-16T21:00:00.000-06:002008-12-16T21:33:41.341-06:00@ Chicago BoothSo I'm 2/3rd an MBA. I finished my fourth quarter finals a week ago and have been chilling out in super-cold Chicago ever since. I've had a great year and a half at business school and am much wiser than i started it a year ago. I have way too many good experiences to share with you all, and way too much wisdom to pass on.<br /><br />Hence I decided to write a series on my school. This is purely about my school, the only school i attended, and might not be representative of all schools. Also, this is my experience, and is NOT a generalization of Chicago Booth experience. There is no one Chicago Booth experience - each student has a different experience based on his/her choices.<br /><br />But you're welcome to read mine for whatever it is worth.<br /><br />In the coming days, i intend to touch upon different aspects of the Chicago Booth experience and I look forward to hearing your opinions, views and comments on those topics. While i do intend to write about all common topics and some more, please let me know if you have any special (or specific) requests.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-2792574075350349932008-12-06T14:16:00.000-06:002008-12-06T14:44:47.370-06:00ChiBus journey comes to an endWhat an experience!!! The last one year has been amazing and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tsu</span> and I have thoroughly enjoyed the fifteen issues we brought out. This week, we picked our two new editors-in-chief and handed over. We're officially done.<br /><br />Looking back, I'm amazed at how much I've gained through this experience. I've met and befriended some fabulous people, who I would not otherwise have met at such close <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">circles</span>. I've had some great leadership experience which is only bettered by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">GBC</span> and not paralleled by any other group. I've had to work with difficult people, handle tricky situations, make tough decisions and be answerable to all 1100 of my classmates. I've also had to give away every second week of my MBA life, slogging inside the hollow burrow that is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ChiBus</span> office. Heck, the day before my interviews, I was in the office :)<br /><br />It feels kind of weird to not have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ChiBus</span> on the calendar. Makes me wanna hang out more with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tsu</span> - I'm glad we're not tired (if not sick) of each other yet! Once next quarter begins I'll realize how much free time I have. I'll need to find other stuff to fill my calendar. But it is also a chance to use the free time to do things I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">haven't</span> done in a while - like read; and write; and blog; and movies; and sleep!!!<br /><br />We started with a long list of things to do, and would probably have accomplished the top four or five things on the list - so that's a good feeling. We'd have liked to do more though; but that's how it ends. We have a lot of great memories and some strong friendships to show. Thank you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ChiBus</span>.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-22272456178292153972008-11-11T08:00:00.000-06:002008-11-11T08:23:42.456-06:00An End & A BeginningI'm 27. It is official - since yesterday! With it, the year of education that was, hopefully, comes to an end.<br /><br />It's been an interesting period in my life - these last 12 months. Quite naturally - I find myself in an introspective state. Last November started what could be the worst few months of my life. I made some stupid decisions, let myself forget who I am and spiraled down deeper and deeper. By May-June, things had hit rock bottom. Needless to say, many aspects of my life were affected. There are many many events that happened during this last year that I will never be able to forget. And these events will keep reminding me of the choices I made, the decisions I should not have made and how I could let things get worse for myself. Parts of me that I lost in the process, I dont think I will ever be able to recover! May be I just had to. All in the name of growing up...<br /><br />Then came the summer and the recovery. A quick trip home to touch base with my roots. A time away from most of the things that were causing heartburn. New friends and a new setting. Chile played a huge role in getting myself back on track. It also helped me, for the umpteenth time, reinvent myself in a positive way and get a move on with life. The last few months have been great in many ways and this November, I look up instead of down, with what the future promises to hold!<br /><br />Most importantly, in those early months, I lost the promise I hold and almost wasted what I am! The moments when people are perilously close to failure reminds people of why they cannot and should not fail; similarly in those dark days I realized why I should not go down this path, why I don't deserve anything that was happening to me and what I should really be. I re-learned myself all over again, shrugged off the chaff that was holding me back and liberated myself from the shackles.<br /><br />The last few months have been enjoyable, to say the least. I love me more than ever and I am also having a great time with everything I do. The things I don't want to be a part of my life, they are down to a bare minimum, and hopefully will cease to exit pretty soon. The future holds a promise, a promise of me, and I am more focused than ever to honor that promise and deliver on it.<br /><br />Happy birthday to me...Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-2210958157465685812008-11-03T12:11:00.001-06:002008-11-03T12:21:42.932-06:00Employed!!!Yes!!! I'm done with recruiting for this year.<br /><br />Last week was B.U.S.Y!!! I had already interviewed with my top choice company the previous week and was invited for the decision round on Wednesday. I had interviews with five other companies, and each one of them had multiple interviews. After almost 75 hours of heavy heartbeats - my top choice firm got back to me on Saturday to inform me of my offer. I've been in a OMG mode ever since!!!<br /><br />It's official. I'd be joining <a href="http://www.bain.com/bainweb/home.asp">Bain & Company</a> in their <a href="http://www.bain.com/bainweb/LocalOffices/about_bain.asp?office_id=122&language=1&menu_id=125">Chicago </a>office next summer.<br /><br />I'm super thrilled and just cannot wait to start learning from all the great people i met during my recruitment. Also, finally i get to experience business school as just a student - so i'm looking forward to that too.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-47429822576246266172008-10-14T20:22:00.001-05:002008-11-13T10:18:44.543-06:00Find me a jobIf there is anything that could be both extremely crazy and incomparably gratifying in a business school, it would be recruiting. That is what me and most of my classmates have been doing over the last month or so - yeah we started recruiting a full week before classes started :)<br /><br />Considering the status of wall street (or whatever is left of it) and the economy at large, we all expected recruiting to be quite difficult. Even though the stakes have been raised in certain areas, recruiting still looks mostly promising. Talk about the advantages of being in a top business school. Basically every firm that is recruiting is in campus.<br /><br />Investment Banking, as an industry, is in shambles. Even the banks that have survived so far have either taken some beating or have taken on other risky assets. Quite obviously their numbers are gonna be pretty low compared to any year in recent memory. Interestingly, people who have offers from many "strong" banks have also accepted much sooner - hence bringing down the necessity of many banks to recruit. We expect a 30% - 40% drop in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IB</span> numbers (and this does not include S&T - which would be much worse).<br /><br />Interestingly - consulting numbers have been strong. In fact, as an industry, they seem to be increasing recruiting. But the landscape has become very difficult - many of my classmates who have offers from "less strong" banks are uncertain and are looking at consulting careers. The crowd in the consulting events is bigger than ever, says <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">GSB's</span> Career Services. Purely based on demand and supply - i believe this is gonna be very very competitive.<br /><br />Industry jobs have kicked in and filled the gap created by banking. These job posts have gone up significantly. In turn, this has brought the overall job posts made in our job portal up by 4%. That doesn't make us feel that bad. The good thing that is happening is that people are thinking harder now than ever to see what exactly they want to do. The Career Services has worked extra hard and made sure we have all these options. They brought in more than 30 new companies, and that seems to have helped balance the situation. Overall - we seem to be doing well as of now, and will know better once the final numbers are out by Spring.<br /><br />I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">don't</span> see anyone at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">GSB</span> really concerned about their chances. Instead, there is this optimism that is true to being here. Everyone seems to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">believing</span> that if the stock is good, the market will buy. Going by the response from the employers - our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">belief</span> in us seems to be true.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-3754264314624187662008-10-01T03:09:00.000-05:002008-10-01T03:18:43.523-05:00Classes - first impressionWhat am i doing staying awake at 3AM in the morning on a Tuesday night???<br />I'm celebrating the completion of my first classes for this quarter. Boy, wasn't that fun?!?!<br /><br />After talking a little about my classes in <a href="http://i4iday.blogspot.com/2008/09/good-to-be-back.html">this post</a>, I figured <a href="http://gsbportal.chicagogsb.edu/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_205_0_43/http%3B/gsbjob.chicagogsb.edu/Facultycourse08/CourseProfDetail.aspx?course_ns=34102&section_id=56626&ac_year=2008&src=SectionList.aspx">New Venture Strategy</a> clashed with a few recruiting events. Since i wanted to do a good job in that class, I dropped it and signed up for <a href="http://gsbportal.chicagogsb.edu/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_205_0_43/http%3B/gsbjob.chicagogsb.edu/Facultycourse08/CourseProfDetail.aspx?course_ns=38001&section_id=56872&ac_year=2008&src=SectionList.aspx">Managing in Organizations</a> for the Saturday morning class. So my first class for the quarter was actually on this Saturday morning. The other classes were on Monday and Tuesday afternoon.<br /><br />To begin with, all three classes are with kick-ass professors. They are unbelievably awesome. While Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ginzel</span> held me awake throughout the class even after my partying till 3AM the previous day, Ms. Smith just blew us away (literally) by the way she started her class - she whistled to catch our attention!!! Ms. Bertrand has an attitude that is unbelievably awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed all three classes.<br /><br />However, I did not enjoy all the work :( I read almost 100 pages of material for each class. Starting next week, each class has some sort of an assignment to be submitted. Since I'm trying to do as much as possible for all classes, I did read everything I was supposed to read and showed up ultra-prepared (and slightly sleepy) for all three classes. It was one long stretch from Friday morning till today afternoon.<br /><br />So I am celebrating such a successful class week with a movie night. I know - I should be sleeping, but my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Netflix</span> DVDs had piled up and I had to do something. So now after two movies, I thought I'd write about it all before I doze off. Any friends reading this, no calling till noon okay...Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-31952633217221565732008-09-22T13:44:00.001-05:002008-09-22T13:51:14.623-05:00Recruiting v2.0A sunny morning<br />and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jovi</span> songs<br />A warm cup of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">chai<br /></span>and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">WSJ</span> mourning Wall St.<br />A clean shave<br />and a hot shower<br />A pressed attire<br />and a splash of dash<br /><br />Everything looks perfect, to begin full time recruiting here at the GSB...<br /><br />The next few weeks promise to be intense and fun, and hopefully will have a good ending!!!<br />Good luck to me :)Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-74044745090313099252008-09-18T10:01:00.000-05:002008-09-18T10:23:34.520-05:00Back on the fast laneLife's been busy! Very busy!!! I had a ton of responsibilities to attend since returning, and I've been mostly successful in attending to each of them.<br /><br />Classes haven't begun yet, but preparations have. I thought I had my schedule set, but I decided to drop one of the classes since it clashed with many recruitment events. This was a class I was really looking forward to, but the same prof is offering the same class next quarter as well. So I'm now planning to sign up next quarter. Also, now I have to find myself a class in the next round of bidding. I've never had to bid in the third round for a class. So I'm trying to figure out the dynamics of bidding in this round, with fewer classes on offer. Hopefully I'll get the class I'm keen on.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chibus</span> is happening! When <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tsu</span> (my co-editor-in-chief) and I took responsibility of the paper, we had a long list of things to change. We've constantly had to grapple with the pressure of getting the paper out in time, along with all the school work, so we never got to them. Now that we have some time to work on the paper, we have set out to get all of them done before school starts. Some of them, we feel, are very important to get the slumbering team morale back on track and make life easy for our precious staff. Others, are just an effort to improve the paper from what it is. We hope to set the bar a few notches high, and pass on the baton to the next class, who will then find things that we failed to see, and improve things from thereon.<br /><br />The Class of '10 is here. They've been to the Random Walks and are almost done with CORE. I have met with many of them, and it is good to see so many familiar faces - people I met through the numerous admissions committee activities. It has been a pleasure to pass on the little I've learnt during my first year. AND - I have three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mentees</span>!!! I've been spending a LOT of time with them - trying to ease them into their school life. Looks like I have done a decent job so far, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> think anyone is overwhelmed and I think I've been telling them the right things. They figured out the bidding process and all of them have classes - so that's one hurdle down. Now it is time to handle their recruitment.<br /><br />Oh yeah - I'm recruiting as well. So I've been spending the rest of my time on trying to prepare myself better. Given the current economic situations, recruiting is gonna be difficult. Hopefully I'm prepared well. Companies are in campus starting Monday!!! The on-campus-recruiting process ends by mid Nov and I hope to have a job by then. I've been spending quality hours everyday, trying to sort out things and seeking advice/help from friends, classmates and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">GSB</span> Career Services folks. So far so good and hopefully things will work out the way I want them to work out. Good luck me!!!<br /><br />As you can see - things are happening. I'm back to the state I'm most comfortable and most satiated - juggling a ton of exciting things and keeping myself constantly occupied. Feeling constantly pushed, but enjoying that stretch.<br /><br />Life is fast! Life is busy!! Life is fun!!!Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-88672360209682933362008-09-08T23:00:00.001-05:002009-06-06T23:26:45.167-05:00Good to be back!It is indeed good to be back. There are aspects of Chile i miss though - especially good Sushi and Spanish presentations! Overall - I'm certainly kicked about being back.<br /><br />Things have started rolling and my calendar is full of a million things already. The Class of 2010 is here and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I've</span> been meeting many people from the class for different reasons. I have three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mentees</span> to begin with - and hope <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I'm</span> doing a decent job of helping them with their first few days in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">GSB</span>. That is on top of my priority list at the moment - at least till i get busy with recruiting.<br /><br />Oh yeah - recruiting. Recruiting starts for second years on September 22<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nd</span>; which is like 2 weeks away. While i cant believe that i find myself again at the tryst of another gruelling, tiring 3 months - I am really looking forward to starting the process. After one year of business school and an exciting 10 weeks at internship - I think i have better clarity on things i want and those that i <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">don't</span> want. And it is even more exciting to get back to recruiting with that clarity. Or so i think. We'll see...<br /><br />Classes start on September 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span>. I got all the classes i wanted to sign up for. I have three great courses with awesome professors - <a href="http://gsbportal.chicagogsb.edu/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_205_0_43/http%3B/gsbjob.chicagogsb.edu/Facultycourse08/CourseProfDetail.aspx?course_ns=42001&section_id=56720&ac_year=2008&src=SectionList.aspx">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://gsbportal.chicagogsb.edu/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_205_0_43/http%3B/gsbjob.chicagogsb.edu/Facultycourse08/CourseProfDetail.aspx?course_ns=34102&section_id=56626&ac_year=2008&src=SectionList.aspx">New Venture Strategy</a> and <a href="http://gsbportal.chicagogsb.edu/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_205_0_43/http%3B/gsbjob.chicagogsb.edu/Facultycourse08/CourseProfDetail.aspx?course_ns=30130&section_id=56809&ac_year=2008&src=SectionList.aspx">Financial Statement Analysis</a>. I'm pretty thrilled about this quarter. I just need to be disciplined enough to be able to do well in the courses, along with recruiting.<br /><br />Oh, and yeah! I met with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ChiBus</span> co-editor-in-chief and we brainstormed about the things we want to do over the first few weeks. So i have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ChiBus</span> to-do list that i need to sort out pretty soon. Hopefully we'll achieve those things within the aggressive timeline we set for ourselves.<br /><br />So - second year is a few weeks away, but i already feel like second year has started. I guess it is only good to have a head start and keep working as hard as i could. Hopefully this will be a great year.Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740215.post-20532341794339524502008-09-07T10:43:00.002-05:002008-09-07T11:41:31.269-05:00ExpertCollective - A Review<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>So a few weeks ago Josh Hohman from <a href="http://www.expertcollective.com/">ExpertCollective</a> had left a note on my blog regarding a survey compilation that he thought would be useful for MBA applicants. He was requesting me to review this report so that it could reach potential applicants. I read the free report and found the material interesting - so i decided to review the full report.<br /><br />While I was in the preliminary stages of applying to business schools, one of the primary hurdles was to find genuine and personal information about the school from people in the school - staff and students alike. This, I understand, is a considerable issue for international applicants like me. This report aims at providing an answer to that issue.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Format:</span><br />The report basically has students of various business schools answering a standard set of nine questions. The students are from Stanford GSB, HBS, Columbia Business School. There's also a mini profile of each student - giving us the GPA range (ranges of 0.5), GMAT range (range of 50) and the pre-MBA professional background of the student.<br /><br />The free report has 6 students - 2 each from Stanford, HBS and Columbia.<br />The full report has 35 students - 28 from Stanford, 3 HBS and 4 Columbia.<br /><br /><ranges mba="" professional="" background="" of="" free="" 6="" 2="" each="" the="" full="" report="" has="" 35="" students="" 28="" from="" 3="" hbs="" and="" 4=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros:</span><br />The format is no-frills. The questions are not usual and are focused on helping an applicant as against getting a profile of the student. The report does not have a lot from the same person, but the standard questions allow the reader to easily compare across profiles. There is no unnecessary fluff in the whole report - just one interview after another one. Pretty sleek and effective.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons:</span><br />The list of questions is not extensive; but i'm not sure how to fit in more questions without making the report heavy. Also, standardized is not gonna help people with individual questions - but that is a standardized report anyway. The biggest drwaback for me is that the full report is heavy on Stanford. 28 out of the 35 responses are from Stanford.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Verdict:</span><br />It might be useful if you cannot visit schools - but as of now, I can imagine this being helpful only for Stanford applicants. I am not sure of the price - so thats for you to check as well. People have different price points! Bottom line - download the free report and check for yourself.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Disclaimer</span>: I am in no way associated to the person or the website mentioned in this review. I'm doing this simple to point applicants to a resource that they could find useful. Please dont hold me responsible for your experiences with this website or the resource under discussion.</span></ranges>Idayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127278003276329514noreply@blogger.com0