I am still alive. I know its been almost a month since I blogged but I was busy with a lot of things. Plus, I wanted to post only when everything was in place for this MBA year. And fortunately things have fallen in place over the past 4 weeks. I have also formally resigned from work and the next two weeks will be all about handing over. Then am off to a much awaited month long holiday before moving to Singapore on 1st of Jan.
I have confirmed a condo at Heritage View. Its a 3 bedroom unit which we got for SGD 4600, which seems to a very good deal, and I will be sharing it with a European tech consultant and an Asian banker. They both seem to be really fun people and am sure we will have a great time next year. We need to, especially because the world around us is falling apart and recruitment at INSEAD is totally screwed up. My advice to guys coming in for future promotions is look for a condo first and then flat mates. If you can get your hands on a good deal then people will always be willing to share it with you.
I started with one of the books from the pre-reading list and it was really a silly book. If you have read Freakonomist or Undercover Economist then you can definitely skip Principles of Microeconomics. I couldn't get my hands on the other two books which are all about hardcore financial models but am sure they are the ones which do need to be covered beforehand. But one thing worried me. You see my view is when you study something, it helps you develop new ways of looking at a situation. But in the book I read, at the end of every chapter there were silly questions like "Name the 7 models.." and honestly speaking I think that is a load of bollocks. I think education should be about reading new concepts and then applying them to a situation to show how much you have learned instead of just writing down the name of concepts you came across. I honestly hope this is not the case at INSEAD.
My finances are sorted out. Got a scholarship from INSEAD and also secured a small student loan from Prodigy Finance. Initially I was not keen for student loans but given the current economic situation, I was not too sure if I should dry up my financial resources. Don't want to be unemployed and broke. This scholarship and student loan will allow me to have a comfortable MBA year and my savings will ensure I have something to fall back on in case no recruiter shows me love next year.
There needs to be a special mention here for Prodigy Finance. What comes to your mind when you think of a Loan? For me it is, first a well dressed rep talking in some non human language about all sorts of conditions and stuff, then a truck load of papers which you need to submit for your case and finally another truck load of papers which you need to read and sign. With Prodigy, you can cut it all out. Its a very simple process and they have structured it really well.
Prodigy was started by a couple of INSEAD grads. Their view was that INSEAD looks for truly international people and often most of such people find it difficult to raise finances in their home country due to their global career or quite a lot of applicants come from emerging markets where the cost of MBA converts into a few millions. They aim to help such candidates by raising funds from INSEAD alumni, recruiters etc. and offer student loan to only those people who have already been accepted to INSEAD. Plus having themselves been through the process, they are able to look at a candidate's profile and evaluate if it will be worth anything in the market post MBA. Of course you have to do the traditional background/ credit check but even that has been simplified to a large extent. In my case for example, I have never used a credit product and a credit check on me would result in "no trace". The only catch is that they cannot guarantee a loan to every applicant as the funds they are able to raise is limited. But nonetheless they are doing an excellent job and hats off to them !!
At work, I have been officially relieved of my duties although I will continue to work for the next 2 weeks. This job has been a life changing experience for me. I came in as a clueless boy and am leaving as an ambitious, capable man. This job really broadened my perspective and gave me the balls to dream big. And I am leaving not because I am unhappy with the job but because I have set higher goals for myself which cannot be achieved from this platform.
So finally, I really am moving on to INSEAD.
By the way if you are thinking about what the recruitment scene at INSEAD is at the moment, then let me be the one to tell you this - its all fucked up at the moment. Jobs are hard to come by and even though firms are coming in, the offers aren't. I will be able to get some solid numbers on recruitment only when am at the campus but don't be surprised is recruitment at time of graduation is around 50%.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Singapore Accommodation
Having resigned last Friday, now I am working on the relocation to Singapore. And first stop is accommodation.
There are two options which are extremely popular with INSEAD participants. Dover Parkview & Heritage View are within walking distance of INSEAD, are a bit posh and because of ample demand from INSEAD are definitely overpriced. I spoke to one real estate agent over the weekend and he mentioned that one other reason for them being pricey is because quite a few landlords have had bad experiences with INSEAD students and hence they want a premium for taking the risk.
Anyways, at these two places you are looking at about SGD 4500-5000 for 3 bedroom apartments. Other option could be Normanton Park which is a 5 minute bus ride from INSEAD. It is significantly cheaper and lacks the Club Med feel which Heritag & Dover have to offer. Normanton Park goes for about SGD 3500-4000 for 3 bedroom units. Third option could be Clementi, which is one subway/ MRT stop away from INSEAD (which is by Dover stop). At Clementi, decent condos go for about SGD 3000-3500..
The cheapest option is HDB units which is available all across Singapore. These are low cost units developed by the Singapore government and go for about SGD 2000-2500 for 3 bedroom unit.
As for me, I am preparing a list of all available options and then will look for fellow INSEADers to share the condo with. I am open to Dover & Heritage, second option being Normanton. Given the supply of condos around INSEAD, its not too difficult to get your hands on one. With recent economic downturn, the rentals do seem to be coming down but not so much so at Dover or Heritage.
On a different note, my wife will not be able to join me during this MBA year as she really wants to use this year to build up her professional experiences. Before taking up the assignment in China, I had little or no knowledge about what professional opportunities it could offer to my wife. Unfortunately, the opportunities were hard to come by and even the ones that came through were not as exciting. Both of us are now done with our first phase of professional life and we both want to use this MBA year to build up our future. And our post MBA goal is to see ourselves moving to an exciting place where both can pursue professional growth. I will definitely miss her a lot next year. She has been with me through thick and thin. I almost got her to kill me because of my constant nagging during the INSEAD application process. Unfortunately, next year I wont have her by my side telling me that I am an absolute champ irrespective of all the failures that I have in my kitty.
H....will miss you tons !
There are two options which are extremely popular with INSEAD participants. Dover Parkview & Heritage View are within walking distance of INSEAD, are a bit posh and because of ample demand from INSEAD are definitely overpriced. I spoke to one real estate agent over the weekend and he mentioned that one other reason for them being pricey is because quite a few landlords have had bad experiences with INSEAD students and hence they want a premium for taking the risk.
Anyways, at these two places you are looking at about SGD 4500-5000 for 3 bedroom apartments. Other option could be Normanton Park which is a 5 minute bus ride from INSEAD. It is significantly cheaper and lacks the Club Med feel which Heritag & Dover have to offer. Normanton Park goes for about SGD 3500-4000 for 3 bedroom units. Third option could be Clementi, which is one subway/ MRT stop away from INSEAD (which is by Dover stop). At Clementi, decent condos go for about SGD 3000-3500..
The cheapest option is HDB units which is available all across Singapore. These are low cost units developed by the Singapore government and go for about SGD 2000-2500 for 3 bedroom unit.
As for me, I am preparing a list of all available options and then will look for fellow INSEADers to share the condo with. I am open to Dover & Heritage, second option being Normanton. Given the supply of condos around INSEAD, its not too difficult to get your hands on one. With recent economic downturn, the rentals do seem to be coming down but not so much so at Dover or Heritage.
On a different note, my wife will not be able to join me during this MBA year as she really wants to use this year to build up her professional experiences. Before taking up the assignment in China, I had little or no knowledge about what professional opportunities it could offer to my wife. Unfortunately, the opportunities were hard to come by and even the ones that came through were not as exciting. Both of us are now done with our first phase of professional life and we both want to use this MBA year to build up our future. And our post MBA goal is to see ourselves moving to an exciting place where both can pursue professional growth. I will definitely miss her a lot next year. She has been with me through thick and thin. I almost got her to kill me because of my constant nagging during the INSEAD application process. Unfortunately, next year I wont have her by my side telling me that I am an absolute champ irrespective of all the failures that I have in my kitty.
H....will miss you tons !
Sunday, October 5, 2008
One year to challenge yourself !
This is what INSEAD says and you bet your ass its true. Right from GMAT to applications to actually moving to INSEAD. Its a tough ride and given the current economic situation, it also becomes highly unpredictable. I did not post in the last 2 weeks as I was running around like a headless chicken. I was excited about INSEAD but at the same time nervous about the whole transition. Yesterday I was talking to a potential applicant and he said once GMAT is smashed, everything will fall into place. That is so god damn wrong. If you had access to INSEAD portal you will know how so many of admits are working hard for raising funds for this MBA. Plus there is also a big question about the employment scene next year.
Argh....am sick of challenging myself. And its still P0!
On scholarships I got pre-selected for one of the juiciest scholarship worth Euro 25k. But I screwed up in the interview and here I am back to square one. I still have two applications pending but I dont expect much. Right now I am preparing for funding this MBA year all by myself and at many times I do question if this is the right thing to do. Am I being lazy about career building and going for this expensive MBA as an easier way out? Only time will tell.
Last week I was out traveling and met a French admit and it was quite reassuring to get a feel of the kind of people I will be studying with next year. Young, ambitious, smart risk takers. The only disappointment was that we failed to achieve our goal for the evening, which was Drinks>Dinner>Drinks>Drinks>Breakfast>Sleep. Somewhere in the early hours right before breakfast, we both had to give up and go back home. J, if you reading this then we gotta do it again at Sgp !
I also spoke to my contacts in Consulting across APac. Message is simple - Consulting is still seeing significant growth across Asia and recruitment will be strong next year. But firms will look for the fit in terms of regional experience, language skills etc. On banking side, the picture is really gloomy.
Agenda for this week:
- Resign - Yes...finally its time for me to f off my employers. I am planning on scheduling a telecon later today, talk about some important project and our growth and shit and right in the middle of it all, I will say..."urmm...listen fellas...go screw yourselves...am outta here". Naah...only in my dreams. I am going to speak to my Directors and be cordial about this whole stuff. I still have got money stuck with the firm which I need badly and above all, they gave me the opportunity which helped me become a stronger professional. I know I am being politically correct here but its the truth. No one else would have given me the opportunity to run a full scale business at the age of 25.
- Setting things up for the relocation. Accommodation, flat-mates, lease etc. etc. Waiting for confirmation on available condos and then will look for partners to share with.
Argh....am sick of challenging myself. And its still P0!
On scholarships I got pre-selected for one of the juiciest scholarship worth Euro 25k. But I screwed up in the interview and here I am back to square one. I still have two applications pending but I dont expect much. Right now I am preparing for funding this MBA year all by myself and at many times I do question if this is the right thing to do. Am I being lazy about career building and going for this expensive MBA as an easier way out? Only time will tell.
Last week I was out traveling and met a French admit and it was quite reassuring to get a feel of the kind of people I will be studying with next year. Young, ambitious, smart risk takers. The only disappointment was that we failed to achieve our goal for the evening, which was Drinks>Dinner>Drinks>Drinks>Breakfast>Sleep. Somewhere in the early hours right before breakfast, we both had to give up and go back home. J, if you reading this then we gotta do it again at Sgp !
I also spoke to my contacts in Consulting across APac. Message is simple - Consulting is still seeing significant growth across Asia and recruitment will be strong next year. But firms will look for the fit in terms of regional experience, language skills etc. On banking side, the picture is really gloomy.
Agenda for this week:
- Resign - Yes...finally its time for me to f off my employers. I am planning on scheduling a telecon later today, talk about some important project and our growth and shit and right in the middle of it all, I will say..."urmm...listen fellas...go screw yourselves...am outta here". Naah...only in my dreams. I am going to speak to my Directors and be cordial about this whole stuff. I still have got money stuck with the firm which I need badly and above all, they gave me the opportunity which helped me become a stronger professional. I know I am being politically correct here but its the truth. No one else would have given me the opportunity to run a full scale business at the age of 25.
- Setting things up for the relocation. Accommodation, flat-mates, lease etc. etc. Waiting for confirmation on available condos and then will look for partners to share with.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
1 down, 3 to go
Late Friday night I got a ding for my Sasakawa Scholarship application. I wasn't much hopeful for it but still, a failure is a failure. Sasakawa scholarship is through some Japanese endowment and is about leadership experience in a multicultural set up. Even though I didnt have high hopes but I thought I had a good story for it. I led the turnaround of a British company in China.
Anyways, I have 3 more scholarship applications to look forward to and am really optimistic about 2 of those. I definitely need some sort of financial assistance from INSEAD as I cannot apply for any kind of educational loan. If I get the scholarship then my savings will allow me to go through the INSEAD year.
I have also applied to Prodigy Finance but am not sure if they have funds available at this stage.
Lets hope for the best.
Anyways, I have 3 more scholarship applications to look forward to and am really optimistic about 2 of those. I definitely need some sort of financial assistance from INSEAD as I cannot apply for any kind of educational loan. If I get the scholarship then my savings will allow me to go through the INSEAD year.
I have also applied to Prodigy Finance but am not sure if they have funds available at this stage.
Lets hope for the best.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Difficult times ahead
Is this a terrible time to go for an MBA?
In my view, it depends on how you look at it. If you have a clear idea of what you want from your MBA, you have realistic goals and also a background fit, then you might just do fine. On the other hand, "I am really passionate about consulting/ banking and am excited at the prospect of working for you" wont fly with the recruiters at all.
Its a fact that there are considerable number of people hoping for a career switch to Banking/ Consulting via MBA. Most firms in these sectors are bottom heavy. They go to business schools and recruit army of Associates. But it all makes sense when its blue sky and sun shine. Quite similar to IT industry where firms always keep a certain number of techies on reserve/ hold to ensure they are highly responsive to client needs. But when the going gets tough, firms try to make their operations leaner, reduce costs etc.
What it means for prospective MBAs is that recruitment will still go on, probably at reduced levels, but recruiters will now look for much more than passion and other superlative adjectives. There has to be a fit (firms expect you to get on with the job from day 1), a sensible reason (as a Tunisian you cannot say you prefer Shanghai office) and a background match (as PhD in Microbiology, you might find it difficult to become a TMT analyst). So you got to be very very clear about your goals, target industry, target location etc. Cast a wider net and have a solid Plan B. Dont burn the bridges with your current employer and make sure your network remains strong during the MBA year.
Its going to be tough. There is no doubt about it. The current turmoil will eventually affect other industries. But before you start whining, remember that there are folks out there graduating right in the middle of this global shit storm.
To the participants of J09/ D08, hope it all works out well.
All the best !!
In my view, it depends on how you look at it. If you have a clear idea of what you want from your MBA, you have realistic goals and also a background fit, then you might just do fine. On the other hand, "I am really passionate about consulting/ banking and am excited at the prospect of working for you" wont fly with the recruiters at all.
Its a fact that there are considerable number of people hoping for a career switch to Banking/ Consulting via MBA. Most firms in these sectors are bottom heavy. They go to business schools and recruit army of Associates. But it all makes sense when its blue sky and sun shine. Quite similar to IT industry where firms always keep a certain number of techies on reserve/ hold to ensure they are highly responsive to client needs. But when the going gets tough, firms try to make their operations leaner, reduce costs etc.
What it means for prospective MBAs is that recruitment will still go on, probably at reduced levels, but recruiters will now look for much more than passion and other superlative adjectives. There has to be a fit (firms expect you to get on with the job from day 1), a sensible reason (as a Tunisian you cannot say you prefer Shanghai office) and a background match (as PhD in Microbiology, you might find it difficult to become a TMT analyst). So you got to be very very clear about your goals, target industry, target location etc. Cast a wider net and have a solid Plan B. Dont burn the bridges with your current employer and make sure your network remains strong during the MBA year.
Its going to be tough. There is no doubt about it. The current turmoil will eventually affect other industries. But before you start whining, remember that there are folks out there graduating right in the middle of this global shit storm.
To the participants of J09/ D08, hope it all works out well.
All the best !!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
First Deposit !
This is it. No turning back now. I have officially accepted the INSEAD Admit by paying the initial deposit of Euro 5000.
I got a pretty decent exchange rate. Almost 4% better than the rate I benchmarked against. The next payment of Euro 30000 is due in November and I am yet to figure out how to pay that. Next week is important. I will be consolidating all my savings into one account and hopefully it should be enough to pay the entire tuition fee. Scholarship results will be out by end of September so that could help too.
My savings are in 2 different currencies and with some stroke of luck, both are doing really good against Euro. Dollar deposit is up 9% while Chinese RMB deposit is up another 9% since Feb 08. I am hoping to capitalise on this unexpected gain and convert all savings to Euro.
With the first deposit, the process of being bankrupt has started. All my savings will be gone within next 6 months. I will have to borrow some money to survive the MBA year and by the time I graduate, I will be in sizeable debt.
Well...INSEAD did say "One year to challenge your thinking, change your outlook and choose your future".
I got a pretty decent exchange rate. Almost 4% better than the rate I benchmarked against. The next payment of Euro 30000 is due in November and I am yet to figure out how to pay that. Next week is important. I will be consolidating all my savings into one account and hopefully it should be enough to pay the entire tuition fee. Scholarship results will be out by end of September so that could help too.
My savings are in 2 different currencies and with some stroke of luck, both are doing really good against Euro. Dollar deposit is up 9% while Chinese RMB deposit is up another 9% since Feb 08. I am hoping to capitalise on this unexpected gain and convert all savings to Euro.
With the first deposit, the process of being bankrupt has started. All my savings will be gone within next 6 months. I will have to borrow some money to survive the MBA year and by the time I graduate, I will be in sizeable debt.
Well...INSEAD did say "One year to challenge your thinking, change your outlook and choose your future".
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Financing INSEAD MBA
INSEAD Tuition Fee is Euro 50000. I am budgeting for additional Euro 25000 for the year and I hope it is enough. The biggest cost component will be the rentals. Singapore rentals around INSEAD is anything but steep.
Financing options in general include:
- Savings
- Educational loans (Most need a co-signer except Prodigy Finance)
- Scholarships (You can apply for a maximum of 5)
- Borrowing from family
I have some savings but it wont be enough and I certainly need assistance. I have applied for 4 scholarships and am really praying for a positive outcome. Should hear about it by end of September.
For educational loan, I dont qualify for it. I have never worked in my home country so dont have any credit history. I do have properties for collateral but again I have been told that having never worked in my home country, I wont get through the documentation stage. I dont have citizenships of the countries I have worked in so again, I dont frigging qualify. I checked with Prodigy Finance, which is a brilliant concept started by INSEAD grads, but they dont seem to have enough funds to allocate. But I will still apply and hope for the best. Then there is Paras foundation but their decision/ interest rate depends on a million factors. It didnt make sense to me so I skipped it.
Final option is, parents - bank provided by nature. I really dont want to borrow money from them and this will be my last option. Absolute last option.
Its not easy paying for an INSEAD MBA even though it is not the most expensive one out there. For all you potential applicants, start saving as early as possible. I have been working for about 5 years now but started saving only from May 2007. This is when I seriously started considering an MBA. And as you can see, I have not saved enough. So start saving from the very moment MBA flashes in your mind.
Financing options in general include:
- Savings
- Educational loans (Most need a co-signer except Prodigy Finance)
- Scholarships (You can apply for a maximum of 5)
- Borrowing from family
I have some savings but it wont be enough and I certainly need assistance. I have applied for 4 scholarships and am really praying for a positive outcome. Should hear about it by end of September.
For educational loan, I dont qualify for it. I have never worked in my home country so dont have any credit history. I do have properties for collateral but again I have been told that having never worked in my home country, I wont get through the documentation stage. I dont have citizenships of the countries I have worked in so again, I dont frigging qualify. I checked with Prodigy Finance, which is a brilliant concept started by INSEAD grads, but they dont seem to have enough funds to allocate. But I will still apply and hope for the best. Then there is Paras foundation but their decision/ interest rate depends on a million factors. It didnt make sense to me so I skipped it.
Final option is, parents - bank provided by nature. I really dont want to borrow money from them and this will be my last option. Absolute last option.
Its not easy paying for an INSEAD MBA even though it is not the most expensive one out there. For all you potential applicants, start saving as early as possible. I have been working for about 5 years now but started saving only from May 2007. This is when I seriously started considering an MBA. And as you can see, I have not saved enough. So start saving from the very moment MBA flashes in your mind.
Things to do
After one hell of a weekend, its time to get working now. Job is going steady with sufficient work load and I need to start preparing for my INSEAD year. I now need to really sit down and figure out all the things which need to be taken care of straight away.
1. Resign from my job - I work under the Board of Directors of my company. All of them are very busy at this time but I have to get this done sooner than later. I want to give them enough time to fill my gap.
2. Secure finances - This is a tough one. I have some savings which wont be enough. I applied for 4 scholarships and should get the result by end of September. Raising loan from Banks seems to be difficult as I have never worked in my home country. Might just have to borrow from family and am really dreading that moment. But as of now, it will be waiting for Scholarship decisions.
3. Accommodation at Sgp - Dover & Heritage seem to be obvious favourites. But both are significantly expensive. Especially the two real estate firms mentioned on INSEAD Connect. At this point I am not sure what kind of accommodation I will need. My wife doesnt want to move to Singapore without a job and we need to figure that out latest by mid November. I would really miss her if she doesnt come along but I also totally understand her viewpoint. She wants to build up a career and thats great. But without knowing if she will be coming along or not, it doesnt make sense going apartment hunting.
4. Pack and Move - This is perhaps the easiest one. Packing shouldnt take more than a couple of days. Right now am thinking of leaving my job/ country by end of November. Would like to spend whole of December catching up with family & friends and of course a short vacation with my wife.
5. Pre-reading - The books mentioned are expensive (like most other things within the INSEAD loop). I am kind of fearing the quant heavy side of it and need to get started before its too late.
6. Exit Language - Mandarin will be my exit language and INSEAD needs basic fluency level. I am able to carry out pretty decent conversation in Mandarin but when it comes to reading or writing, then everything goes blank. I need to be able to read about 150-200 characters to get through this hurdle but as of now all Mandarin characters look the same to me.
7. GMAT - Yes, I really need to improve my GMAT. I will need it when gunning for placements during second half of 2009. From 660, I need to move up to at least 700. My Quant is acceptable, I averaged around 47-49, but Verbal is really weak and I really dont know why it is so. I scored 37 in GMAT verbal and need to be around 41+ to achieve 700 in GMAT.
Aargh...way too many things to do.
I will start working on my exit language from today. 1 hour everyday should get me at least 20 characters and I need about 200 to get through the test. Next in line is resigning from my job and I am hoping to do it sometime within this week. Actually the truth is, I have a part of my bonus still with the HR and I want to get it out before resigning. I dont want to be in a messed up situation where HR from UK and China are passing the ball and making my life difficult.
So thats it - Language + Resignation for this week !!
1. Resign from my job - I work under the Board of Directors of my company. All of them are very busy at this time but I have to get this done sooner than later. I want to give them enough time to fill my gap.
2. Secure finances - This is a tough one. I have some savings which wont be enough. I applied for 4 scholarships and should get the result by end of September. Raising loan from Banks seems to be difficult as I have never worked in my home country. Might just have to borrow from family and am really dreading that moment. But as of now, it will be waiting for Scholarship decisions.
3. Accommodation at Sgp - Dover & Heritage seem to be obvious favourites. But both are significantly expensive. Especially the two real estate firms mentioned on INSEAD Connect. At this point I am not sure what kind of accommodation I will need. My wife doesnt want to move to Singapore without a job and we need to figure that out latest by mid November. I would really miss her if she doesnt come along but I also totally understand her viewpoint. She wants to build up a career and thats great. But without knowing if she will be coming along or not, it doesnt make sense going apartment hunting.
4. Pack and Move - This is perhaps the easiest one. Packing shouldnt take more than a couple of days. Right now am thinking of leaving my job/ country by end of November. Would like to spend whole of December catching up with family & friends and of course a short vacation with my wife.
5. Pre-reading - The books mentioned are expensive (like most other things within the INSEAD loop). I am kind of fearing the quant heavy side of it and need to get started before its too late.
6. Exit Language - Mandarin will be my exit language and INSEAD needs basic fluency level. I am able to carry out pretty decent conversation in Mandarin but when it comes to reading or writing, then everything goes blank. I need to be able to read about 150-200 characters to get through this hurdle but as of now all Mandarin characters look the same to me.
7. GMAT - Yes, I really need to improve my GMAT. I will need it when gunning for placements during second half of 2009. From 660, I need to move up to at least 700. My Quant is acceptable, I averaged around 47-49, but Verbal is really weak and I really dont know why it is so. I scored 37 in GMAT verbal and need to be around 41+ to achieve 700 in GMAT.
Aargh...way too many things to do.
I will start working on my exit language from today. 1 hour everyday should get me at least 20 characters and I need about 200 to get through the test. Next in line is resigning from my job and I am hoping to do it sometime within this week. Actually the truth is, I have a part of my bonus still with the HR and I want to get it out before resigning. I dont want to be in a messed up situation where HR from UK and China are passing the ball and making my life difficult.
So thats it - Language + Resignation for this week !!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
INSEAD Application
INSEAD application requires you to write about 7 essays. You can also go for the additional optional one but I skipped that. Your essays have to be precise and present your personality well. INSEAD selection process is pretty intense and my view is that roughly 30-40% applicants are selected for interviews and about 40-50% of interviewed candidates are offered admits. Interviews are easy as it is about your personality and the way you conduct conversations. If you are ambitious, international and an interesting person to be with, then interviews will be a walk in the park for you. (Still, a great interview doesnt necessarily mean an admit)
Therefore it is very important that you do your applications really well.
Before you start, spend considerable amount of time on your product pitch. You should know what you are trying to sell, your USPs, your strengths, your personality etc. And then you have to build your essays around it. With 7 essays of low word count, chances are your whole application will be read in one go. So what do you want the reader to walk away with?
In my essays, I avoided too much technical or business information. I used stories from both professional and personal life. I knew what I was trying to sell - young, successful with business building experience in unfamiliar territories and truly international professional with great soft skills who is bound to pursue entrepreneurial ventures which will lead to community development. That was my pitch, and I used different stories from my life to reflect these elements. Whatever you want to pursue in your post MBA career, make sure you have something to connect your past with it. If you have no connection then show your passion and genuine interest through actual actions. If I say I want to become an astronaut then I should have at least visited the top Space Museums and did one of those weekend programs. There should be a connection. When you say you are going to save the world then make sure you saved at least a small county in your past.
A few things you might consider:
- Your essays have to be crisp and with the word limit you need to work with, avoid technical/ business details where possible. You might be really keen to use all the business lingo but may be its not worth it. The AdCom is looking for a well rounded candidate and not a guy who uses the word Strategy in every sentence.
- Include examples from different facets of your life. Show them that you are a fun person and will fit well with INSEAD's culture of work hard play hard(er).
- Career Goal essay is perhaps the most important/ difficult essay. You cannot possibly be too specific about your post MBA goals (working as an Associate with BCG in the Pharmaceutical practice in London). But you can give a fairly reasonable idea. Like, working with C level executives from consumer goods in emerging markets on boosting bottom lines. It could be an internal consultant position or a position with one of the tier 1 firms. Your essay should give an indication about the geographic region and nature of role and the why/how of it. You have a past, you are gunning for a particular future 10/20/30 years from now, and this MBA will help you implement the road map you have prepared for your journey.
Whatever you do, do it with an absolute honest intent. Dont kid yourself or try to bullshit the adcom. It wont work. Unless you are really convinced about where you want to be, what you want to be doing, how do you expect to convince others about it?
For word limit, most of my essays were within limit+10%. You can do the same if needed, but dont go way beyond the limit. These essays are designed to be a comfortable read for the AdCom. Keep it that way.
All the best.
Therefore it is very important that you do your applications really well.
Before you start, spend considerable amount of time on your product pitch. You should know what you are trying to sell, your USPs, your strengths, your personality etc. And then you have to build your essays around it. With 7 essays of low word count, chances are your whole application will be read in one go. So what do you want the reader to walk away with?
In my essays, I avoided too much technical or business information. I used stories from both professional and personal life. I knew what I was trying to sell - young, successful with business building experience in unfamiliar territories and truly international professional with great soft skills who is bound to pursue entrepreneurial ventures which will lead to community development. That was my pitch, and I used different stories from my life to reflect these elements. Whatever you want to pursue in your post MBA career, make sure you have something to connect your past with it. If you have no connection then show your passion and genuine interest through actual actions. If I say I want to become an astronaut then I should have at least visited the top Space Museums and did one of those weekend programs. There should be a connection. When you say you are going to save the world then make sure you saved at least a small county in your past.
A few things you might consider:
- Your essays have to be crisp and with the word limit you need to work with, avoid technical/ business details where possible. You might be really keen to use all the business lingo but may be its not worth it. The AdCom is looking for a well rounded candidate and not a guy who uses the word Strategy in every sentence.
- Include examples from different facets of your life. Show them that you are a fun person and will fit well with INSEAD's culture of work hard play hard(er).
- Career Goal essay is perhaps the most important/ difficult essay. You cannot possibly be too specific about your post MBA goals (working as an Associate with BCG in the Pharmaceutical practice in London). But you can give a fairly reasonable idea. Like, working with C level executives from consumer goods in emerging markets on boosting bottom lines. It could be an internal consultant position or a position with one of the tier 1 firms. Your essay should give an indication about the geographic region and nature of role and the why/how of it. You have a past, you are gunning for a particular future 10/20/30 years from now, and this MBA will help you implement the road map you have prepared for your journey.
Whatever you do, do it with an absolute honest intent. Dont kid yourself or try to bullshit the adcom. It wont work. Unless you are really convinced about where you want to be, what you want to be doing, how do you expect to convince others about it?
For word limit, most of my essays were within limit+10%. You can do the same if needed, but dont go way beyond the limit. These essays are designed to be a comfortable read for the AdCom. Keep it that way.
All the best.
PO
Right now am in P0. I have the admit and I have to exit from my job, go for a holiday, secure finances and also get everything sorted out for Singapore.
The feeling is great. I am still giving my 100% to my company but at the same time I dont have to put up with the non sensical things around as I will be leaving soon. What I am really looking forward to is my resignation letter and the report which I plan to submit thereafter. In the report I want to highlight areas where the company needs to improve if they want to survive the global economic slowdown, how they can build up from where I leave and the options they have on filling my gap.
I am sure quite a few of you are eagerly waiting for that moment when you know you have that precious admit and you just cant wait to bid adieu to your employer.
It will happen. Be patient.
The feeling is great. I am still giving my 100% to my company but at the same time I dont have to put up with the non sensical things around as I will be leaving soon. What I am really looking forward to is my resignation letter and the report which I plan to submit thereafter. In the report I want to highlight areas where the company needs to improve if they want to survive the global economic slowdown, how they can build up from where I leave and the options they have on filling my gap.
I am sure quite a few of you are eagerly waiting for that moment when you know you have that precious admit and you just cant wait to bid adieu to your employer.
It will happen. Be patient.
Why INSEAD?
When I was looking at business schools to target, I had a clear approach. I pulled out the latest FT Rankings, and researched each of the top 15 schools. Of course you can argue if FT is reliable or not or if ranking really matters. My view is that each one of us during our professional years develop some sort of loyalty to any particular business publication. It could be Business Week, Financial News, FT etc. Whatever it is, your loyalty will create a sense of reliability and that will influence your approach. I have been loyal to FT for years and therefore looked up only FT and nothing else. I am not saying it is the best one out there, but it serves me well. As for rankings, yes it does matter when creating your initial targets.
I knew what I wanted from my target school:
- Short program, starting sooner than later.
- A school where my Asian experience could be leveraged well.
- Strong orientation towards my target industry.
- Truly global program.
- Certain degree of intensity in both academics and social set up. (aka. work hard play hard)
- And, within my budget.
INSEAD and IMD fit my requirements very well. Both are great schools and because INSEAD scored better on my parameters, I decided to apply only to INSEAD in the calendar year. I was also a bit younger for IMD and another year would not have hurt my chances.
School selection needs significant efforts. Dont go about random applications as it will take you no where. You should know what you expect from your school and then do your research to identify suitable schools. I spoke to a number of graduates, recruiters and also met INSEAD representatives at an MBA fair.
The more efforts you put in your school selection, the stronger will be your essays/ interview performance. Each school is positioned strongly for certain industries, geographic regions, nature of recruitment etc. And when you are risking a fortune for an MBA it is but obvious that you do your homework.
I knew what I wanted from my target school:
- Short program, starting sooner than later.
- A school where my Asian experience could be leveraged well.
- Strong orientation towards my target industry.
- Truly global program.
- Certain degree of intensity in both academics and social set up. (aka. work hard play hard)
- And, within my budget.
INSEAD and IMD fit my requirements very well. Both are great schools and because INSEAD scored better on my parameters, I decided to apply only to INSEAD in the calendar year. I was also a bit younger for IMD and another year would not have hurt my chances.
School selection needs significant efforts. Dont go about random applications as it will take you no where. You should know what you expect from your school and then do your research to identify suitable schools. I spoke to a number of graduates, recruiters and also met INSEAD representatives at an MBA fair.
The more efforts you put in your school selection, the stronger will be your essays/ interview performance. Each school is positioned strongly for certain industries, geographic regions, nature of recruitment etc. And when you are risking a fortune for an MBA it is but obvious that you do your homework.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Why MBA?
Quitting your job for an MBA is not an easy thing. You must have a solid reason for that.
Most of the applicants fall in one of the following categories:
1. You are doing great in your profession and need an MBA to climb the ladder.
2. You are in a dead end job and the only option you think you have to change tracks is an MBA.
3. You are an entrepreneur and have had considerable success so far but on a small scale. You want to do an MBA, get that network and credibility and then pursue bigger businesses.
4. You are sailing just fine and your employer wants to spend some moolah on you and that sought after MBA will now literally be yours for free. So why not?
Whatever your reason is, be absolutely clear about that. This will help not only with your mental preparation but also when it comes to writing those application essays. AdComs can smell bullshit from a million miles. Believe me when I say that. If your application is nothing but fluff then dont expect it to come across as anything else.
One part of your application will be about your long term/ post MBA goals. This essay is really important so think hard before you start writing. Of course no one expects you to know exactly what kind of job you will be doing after MBA, but this essay is about checking your professional outlook. How realistic are you with your expectations? Does that fit well with your background? Are you going to be successful?
Most business schools look for candidates who are already reasonably successful, have a great outlook and are bound to go places in future. And all they want is the right candidate to wear their brand tag when he/ she is featured in Fortune. Of course you learn a lot at business schools but most of the theories and models wont stand ground after you graduate and are facing a million dollar investment decision (unless you are working in Finance or Consulting, doing those spreadsheets and fancy powerpoints). Face it, the real world doesnt work like that. But yes, all the structures and tools you learn will improve your thought process, your risk appetite, your business skills etc. Of course you can try discussing DCF with a blonde in a bar and hope to get laid. Good luck with that.
The key takeaways from an MBA (strictly my opinion) is the personality impact it has on you. You go in as a chump, who has the potential but limited experience, spend your MBA year with a number of intelligent, passionate, driven people from across the world/ industries, you leverage the school brand to build up your own credibility and finally you become a member of an elite global network. After MBA, chances are you will know someone in almost every imaginable industry, you will have the network to open a lot of doors for you, and finally you will come out knowing a lot more about this world and different business scenarios than you ever could. The way you carry yourself, whether socially or in business, will change and you will be better prepared to pursue whatever dream you wanted to before starting your MBA.
If you fall in Category 1 then its fair play. Quite a few firms expect senior managers to be MBA grads and if they are not ready to pay for one then its better to get out of the job and do one yourself. There is no point in spending a few more years hoping for things to change. Because, to put it bluntly, unless you directly are responsible for increasing the share value of your company, you wont go beyond that glass ceiling. You dont want to be too late for an MBA. Have a plan and stick to it. Quit when you are the top of the game.
If you are from Category 2, being realistic will make all the difference in your life. Are you sure you will be able to change tracks with MBA? There are tons of MBA grads pouring in the market every year. Its competitive and when a recruiter has an option, he/ she will definitely go for the candidate who has some sort of fit. Without doubt, most career changers target bottom heavy industries/ firms. Which works out when its all sunshine and blue sky. But on a gloomy day, that shit wont fly. So think carefully about your chances. Dig your past and see if you can connect with any particular industry post MBA.
If you are from Category 3, then well done mate. The network/ credibility offered by an MBA will definitely help your ventures. I have seen others do it and am sure you can do it too. But there is a downside for you too. Can you afford to be out of market for a year/ two years? Will the changing landscape still allow you to be competitive? What about your existing ventures? Are they mature enough to operate in your absence?
If you are from Category 4, then you can buy me a drink anytime you want.
One thing which helps me in my decision making is considering worst case scenario. Whatever you are faced with, just think of the worst case scenario and ask yourself if you can live with that? If yes, then go ahead and kick some ass.
Good luck !
Most of the applicants fall in one of the following categories:
1. You are doing great in your profession and need an MBA to climb the ladder.
2. You are in a dead end job and the only option you think you have to change tracks is an MBA.
3. You are an entrepreneur and have had considerable success so far but on a small scale. You want to do an MBA, get that network and credibility and then pursue bigger businesses.
4. You are sailing just fine and your employer wants to spend some moolah on you and that sought after MBA will now literally be yours for free. So why not?
Whatever your reason is, be absolutely clear about that. This will help not only with your mental preparation but also when it comes to writing those application essays. AdComs can smell bullshit from a million miles. Believe me when I say that. If your application is nothing but fluff then dont expect it to come across as anything else.
One part of your application will be about your long term/ post MBA goals. This essay is really important so think hard before you start writing. Of course no one expects you to know exactly what kind of job you will be doing after MBA, but this essay is about checking your professional outlook. How realistic are you with your expectations? Does that fit well with your background? Are you going to be successful?
Most business schools look for candidates who are already reasonably successful, have a great outlook and are bound to go places in future. And all they want is the right candidate to wear their brand tag when he/ she is featured in Fortune. Of course you learn a lot at business schools but most of the theories and models wont stand ground after you graduate and are facing a million dollar investment decision (unless you are working in Finance or Consulting, doing those spreadsheets and fancy powerpoints). Face it, the real world doesnt work like that. But yes, all the structures and tools you learn will improve your thought process, your risk appetite, your business skills etc. Of course you can try discussing DCF with a blonde in a bar and hope to get laid. Good luck with that.
The key takeaways from an MBA (strictly my opinion) is the personality impact it has on you. You go in as a chump, who has the potential but limited experience, spend your MBA year with a number of intelligent, passionate, driven people from across the world/ industries, you leverage the school brand to build up your own credibility and finally you become a member of an elite global network. After MBA, chances are you will know someone in almost every imaginable industry, you will have the network to open a lot of doors for you, and finally you will come out knowing a lot more about this world and different business scenarios than you ever could. The way you carry yourself, whether socially or in business, will change and you will be better prepared to pursue whatever dream you wanted to before starting your MBA.
If you fall in Category 1 then its fair play. Quite a few firms expect senior managers to be MBA grads and if they are not ready to pay for one then its better to get out of the job and do one yourself. There is no point in spending a few more years hoping for things to change. Because, to put it bluntly, unless you directly are responsible for increasing the share value of your company, you wont go beyond that glass ceiling. You dont want to be too late for an MBA. Have a plan and stick to it. Quit when you are the top of the game.
If you are from Category 2, being realistic will make all the difference in your life. Are you sure you will be able to change tracks with MBA? There are tons of MBA grads pouring in the market every year. Its competitive and when a recruiter has an option, he/ she will definitely go for the candidate who has some sort of fit. Without doubt, most career changers target bottom heavy industries/ firms. Which works out when its all sunshine and blue sky. But on a gloomy day, that shit wont fly. So think carefully about your chances. Dig your past and see if you can connect with any particular industry post MBA.
If you are from Category 3, then well done mate. The network/ credibility offered by an MBA will definitely help your ventures. I have seen others do it and am sure you can do it too. But there is a downside for you too. Can you afford to be out of market for a year/ two years? Will the changing landscape still allow you to be competitive? What about your existing ventures? Are they mature enough to operate in your absence?
If you are from Category 4, then you can buy me a drink anytime you want.
One thing which helps me in my decision making is considering worst case scenario. Whatever you are faced with, just think of the worst case scenario and ask yourself if you can live with that? If yes, then go ahead and kick some ass.
Good luck !
The Moment !!
INSEAD decision deadlines are usually Friday. For J09 applicants, the deadline was Friday 29th August. Going by the trend most admit calls/ emails were expected by Wednesday 27th August, a mix of admit and waitlisted on Thursday 28th August and mostly dings for 29th.
I was following the action on BW forums (have to say it is the most active MBA forum). On 27th, quite a few people got admit calls. My heart sank a little. But the saving grace was that no one heard anything from my admission coordinator. On 28th, I was hoping for news to start pouring out by 10 am Paris time, but nothing happened. It was very quiet. By around 3pm Paris time I had kind of given up and was preparing for a formal dinner with German colleagues. Throughout the dinner I was looking at my phone hoping to get the call anytime.
By 4pm, waitlist emails stared going out. The next 20 mins was mostly one waitlist after another. I reached home by 4.40pm. Still no news and I was losing it. I knew I was going to be dinged as I should have definitely heard back if I were either accepted or waitlisted. By 4.50 pm, I tried calling my admission coordinator only to reach her voice mail.
Finally by 5 pm, with a gloomy face I logged onto BW forum to bid my farewell. As I was logging in, my iMail beeped with a new email. It was "INSEAD Confidential Final Decision". I MADE IT !!! The next 3-4 hours were just frantic calls to all my friends and dear ones. Lots of drinks and sleepless night. I dont think I am going to forget that evening for a long long time !
The thing with INSEAD application was that I knew that INSEAD was a perfect fit for me. Plus I also believed I was a natural INSEAD candidate (one interviewer mentioned this) and therefore it was the only MBA application I made. It was one of those moments where you know that you really deserve something but its the fear of an unknown factor which could turn things the other way.
Fortunately it all worked out well !!
I was following the action on BW forums (have to say it is the most active MBA forum). On 27th, quite a few people got admit calls. My heart sank a little. But the saving grace was that no one heard anything from my admission coordinator. On 28th, I was hoping for news to start pouring out by 10 am Paris time, but nothing happened. It was very quiet. By around 3pm Paris time I had kind of given up and was preparing for a formal dinner with German colleagues. Throughout the dinner I was looking at my phone hoping to get the call anytime.
By 4pm, waitlist emails stared going out. The next 20 mins was mostly one waitlist after another. I reached home by 4.40pm. Still no news and I was losing it. I knew I was going to be dinged as I should have definitely heard back if I were either accepted or waitlisted. By 4.50 pm, I tried calling my admission coordinator only to reach her voice mail.
Finally by 5 pm, with a gloomy face I logged onto BW forum to bid my farewell. As I was logging in, my iMail beeped with a new email. It was "INSEAD Confidential Final Decision". I MADE IT !!! The next 3-4 hours were just frantic calls to all my friends and dear ones. Lots of drinks and sleepless night. I dont think I am going to forget that evening for a long long time !
The thing with INSEAD application was that I knew that INSEAD was a perfect fit for me. Plus I also believed I was a natural INSEAD candidate (one interviewer mentioned this) and therefore it was the only MBA application I made. It was one of those moments where you know that you really deserve something but its the fear of an unknown factor which could turn things the other way.
Fortunately it all worked out well !!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
GMAT & MBA
Now this is a tricky one. Is your GMAT enough to get you through?? When schools say they take a holistic view of each application, chances are they actually mean it.
GMAT is just one aspect of your entire package. Of course having a great GMAT wont hurt but when you score below the average, you will be taking a chance hoping that your other areas of strength make up for it. I for one got below average GMAT but my overall strengths made up for it.
Your MBA application is about YOU as a person, your passion, your interests, your dreams and your logic behind all of these. If schools want only top GMAT then there is a strong chance that most top schools will end up having over 70% + Indians & Chinese. But that is not the case, so whatever you score don't lose heart and do an honest self-appraisal.
When I scored low on my GMAT, I asked a few current students if I should go ahead and apply. And the reply was, if you are ready and you believe in your overall package then go for it. Fortunately I did and things worked out.
Bottom line, target 7XX, if you score below that then look at the overall breakdown of your score. Is the balance within the range that the school asks for and finally consider your overall package and see if you are truly unique.
Another thing I would like to mention for the smart ones out there - MBA admission is a game. If you know how to play it, then you will get through. Most certainly the school of your choice looks for certain traits - cultural sensitivity, tech background, creativity, international exposure, leadership etc. Play your cards well and if you think your case is still weak, then target a stellar GMAT.
You have two elements here - Your Application Value (which is based on your background/ diversity value/ traits the school is looking for etc.) & your GMAT/ Academics. Your application package should be at least above average overall. So if you score very high on the first element (aka. Application Value) then you can survive with an average or even below average GMAT/ Academics. But if your Application Value is not that great, you will need a solid GMAT to remain competitive. Try to remember this balance when working on your applications.
Good luck !
GMAT is just one aspect of your entire package. Of course having a great GMAT wont hurt but when you score below the average, you will be taking a chance hoping that your other areas of strength make up for it. I for one got below average GMAT but my overall strengths made up for it.
Your MBA application is about YOU as a person, your passion, your interests, your dreams and your logic behind all of these. If schools want only top GMAT then there is a strong chance that most top schools will end up having over 70% + Indians & Chinese. But that is not the case, so whatever you score don't lose heart and do an honest self-appraisal.
When I scored low on my GMAT, I asked a few current students if I should go ahead and apply. And the reply was, if you are ready and you believe in your overall package then go for it. Fortunately I did and things worked out.
Bottom line, target 7XX, if you score below that then look at the overall breakdown of your score. Is the balance within the range that the school asks for and finally consider your overall package and see if you are truly unique.
Another thing I would like to mention for the smart ones out there - MBA admission is a game. If you know how to play it, then you will get through. Most certainly the school of your choice looks for certain traits - cultural sensitivity, tech background, creativity, international exposure, leadership etc. Play your cards well and if you think your case is still weak, then target a stellar GMAT.
You have two elements here - Your Application Value (which is based on your background/ diversity value/ traits the school is looking for etc.) & your GMAT/ Academics. Your application package should be at least above average overall. So if you score very high on the first element (aka. Application Value) then you can survive with an average or even below average GMAT/ Academics. But if your Application Value is not that great, you will need a solid GMAT to remain competitive. Try to remember this balance when working on your applications.
Good luck !
GMAT
There are tons of resources available on the internet about GMAT. I wont get much into how to best prepare for the test but yes, know yourself well. Take a trial test to see where you stand, identify your strengths and weaknesses and take it from there.
In my view GMAT is not about how good you are at Maths or English but its more about how smart a test taker you are. The test works on certain patterns and if you spend enough time, you will be able to identify these patterns and have your own way of tackling them. I prepared for 2 weeks, took 2 trial tests on the official software and that was it. Of course, my score was not 7XX but more like 6XX. But it was a balanced score.
Some tips:
- Practice sitting for 4 hours at a stretch. It is very important.
- Dont spend too much time on difficult questions. I did this mistake and had to run through the last 15 in Quants.
- Try and relax in between tests. Take the pressure off, have some water and try to ease it off.
- Practice Practice Practice !
In my view GMAT is not about how good you are at Maths or English but its more about how smart a test taker you are. The test works on certain patterns and if you spend enough time, you will be able to identify these patterns and have your own way of tackling them. I prepared for 2 weeks, took 2 trial tests on the official software and that was it. Of course, my score was not 7XX but more like 6XX. But it was a balanced score.
Some tips:
- Practice sitting for 4 hours at a stretch. It is very important.
- Dont spend too much time on difficult questions. I did this mistake and had to run through the last 15 in Quants.
- Try and relax in between tests. Take the pressure off, have some water and try to ease it off.
- Practice Practice Practice !
Friday, August 29, 2008
About Me !
I would love to say that I am just your average next door guy. But I am not. Neither I am a hot shot banker nor the entrepreneur who just sold his startup to Google.
But by all measures, I have had a very unconventional career. When I was young (I still am !!), I wanted to be anything and everything around me. But with each day I grew as a person and the more I saw of this world, the bigger the things I pursued in life. That is me. And the funny thing is, I never thought I could achieve any of it. Its like, "Gosh...did I really do all of that !!".
Without getting into details, I started my career as a consultant and moved on to lead business turnaround for western investors in Asia. I have also been advisor to startups, and some of them survived while others ran into ground.
Now you might say whats unconventional about that? Well I never ever had to work for a boss in my professional life. And how that happened is a totally different story !!
But by all measures, I have had a very unconventional career. When I was young (I still am !!), I wanted to be anything and everything around me. But with each day I grew as a person and the more I saw of this world, the bigger the things I pursued in life. That is me. And the funny thing is, I never thought I could achieve any of it. Its like, "Gosh...did I really do all of that !!".
Without getting into details, I started my career as a consultant and moved on to lead business turnaround for western investors in Asia. I have also been advisor to startups, and some of them survived while others ran into ground.
Now you might say whats unconventional about that? Well I never ever had to work for a boss in my professional life. And how that happened is a totally different story !!
My first blog !!
Finally I have decided to blog. I dont know how regular I will be but I really want to share my views on MBA with potential applicants.
Doing an MBA is not an easy decision. You are talking about taking 1-2 years out of your steady job, investing a significant chunk of your life's savings or perhaps even borrowing from family/ banks for this MBA and above all, you are willing to go through the emotional ups and downs associated with MBA. Lets just say its not easy.
In my blog, I will share with you my own experience of this process.
Doing an MBA is not an easy decision. You are talking about taking 1-2 years out of your steady job, investing a significant chunk of your life's savings or perhaps even borrowing from family/ banks for this MBA and above all, you are willing to go through the emotional ups and downs associated with MBA. Lets just say its not easy.
In my blog, I will share with you my own experience of this process.
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