The Updates…

Well, how have you been guys? Hope all of you are doing well. There are quite a lot of updates from my side. So, I am not going to go in details but with bullet them and share with you all.

1. I got promoted mid of last month, getting the fastest promotion in the batch of guys joining the organization around June-Sept 2007. Well, I am happy but at the same bit let down as the whole process took almost 6 months, which is quite surprising and discouraging being in the private sector. But, I am very satisfied with my performance.
2. My GMAT is round the corner with around 20 days more to go. I have been much occupied with its preparations and the life has really gone bit crazy with the company’s product release also almost at the same time.
3. I talked to my manager and communicated that I will be applying this season and seek his recommendation, to which he agreed without any hesitation. It was a real good sign, considering the fact that we are distant apart and are in two completely opposite different time zones.
4. I am almost there with my final list of first round of schools and I am happy with the overall mixture. Now, I am definitely inclined to Entrepreneurship and VC/PE Courses as that is target industry after my post-MBA and there has been no doubt in any form about the “ENTREPRENEURSHIP” in the long term goal. One thing that is very important for me while selecting the B-Schools is: How well I feel connected with the culture and academics of the school. A lot of top B-Schools do not feature in my lost due to my “feeling”. So, I am applying only to those schools that I feel I can fall in love with and can picture myself spending glorious 2 years of my life.
5. I have started working on my essays also but I am planning to hold them for some time now as the GMAT D-day is approaching fast.
6. As you remember, I won a book and got “Great Application Essays for Business School” by Paul Bodine couriered to me at my desk all for free. Thanks to Accepted.com and Twitter. As I am reading it, I am finding it very useful and self-revealing. As soon as I read it, I am going to post its review very soon.
7. I also got an ebook “Complete Start to Finish Guide” . Thanks to mbaMission and Twitter (again). Twitter is a great resource in all forms, if used judiciously.
8. I am trying to reach some alumni and current students to get some more detail insights about my schools and some of the responses were quite encouraging and motivating.
9. Well, I also registered for Stanford GSB admission event to be held in Bangalore on September 17 and the MBATour to be held on September 19-20. All prospective applicants can take it up because it will be a very good platform to interact and know about your schools. So, go and book your seats now if you have done it.

So, that’s it pretty much form my side. I am getting bit nervous and excited for my GMAT. The last two mocks that I took, I scored 680 and 670. I am yet to see that magical figure of 7xx. I hope that I would be able to make it. Verbal is bit annoying me, basically testing my patience. Let’s see. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Blog featured in Accepted Admissions

How is it going guys? Well, I am quite a bit free now from the office perspective now and planning to jump start my preparations strongly with mock tests every weekend. I am planning to take one test every week and spend some time analyzing them on the other day.  I am hopeful of a good fight here because GMAT is going to be a big blockade in my applications as I really suck in the tests. Lets hope for the best and I am going to update on the mock this weekend for your suggestions for improvement. So, keep visiting and suggesting for improvements.

The blog featured in the Accepted Admissions Almanac Blog on the perspective of “Inside Out” based on the blog-post.  I am happy that my perspective of looking into the applicatins was appreciated. So, look out for more details there in the link mentioned above.

Reliance Fellowship Essay Done…

Okay Guys, What’s up? How is life going? I guess each one of us is anxiously looking forward to the upcoming admission session. Last week, Stanford GSB and HBS released their application essays for the 2012 batch. With hem, I guess all of us must be gearing up to put our best to our dream schools.

I have lots of update from my side.

Firstly, I am done with the essay of the Reliance Stanford Fellowship. It was a fun writing the essay and changing it again and again. It becomes really challenging when reviewers try to give their comments and suggestions. I don’t know how many reviewers try to put themselves in our shoes to look from our perspective. But I fell that should be the ideal and honest approach for helping the applicants. What I found challenging while writing the essay was the topic “How do you aspire to shape India’s future?” and that too in 250 words or fewer. You gotto be kidding me. That was the first reaction when I tried to analyze the topic. I wanted to tell a lot of things but there wasn’t enough space for me to do so. What I did was I thought I should first try to understand what it really tries to mean and most importantly, what message I want to convey here. Trust me this approach helps as one knows very well where and how thought process is is shaping up. Next, I straight away sat down for almost 7 hrs to write down whatever came to my mind following those guidelines. I did not look back to re-read it at that time. Not surprisingly, I wrote almost 9 pages. It was well above 1500 words. But then, every alternate day I used to sit for 2 hrs re-reading the essay and fine-tuning it, using each word economically and appropriately. The last 2 weeks, I took advice from couple of friends and took their opinion on the essay. A lot of them appreciated the starting and the end paragraph though there was one who did not like my concluding statement but when I inquired about it more from others, they agreed with my statement. Basically, I would say the concluding sentence is the statement that came right from my heart and the only sentence in the whole essay, which I just changed in due course but never was in a mood to take it off at any cost. As for personal opinion, I feel each one of us should have his/her own USP of the essay and it should never be compromised because if we do we lose ourselves in it. Here are few guidelines when one approaches the Reliance Dhirubhai fellowship essay:

• The focus should be on giving a shape to India’s future. Remember there is a big difference in “shaping” and “changing”. A good way of tackling this is to think of a current scenario which can be harnessed further to have a strong effect. It would be really nice if someone tries to link his current professional experience coupled with Stanford MBA to address it.
• Discuss human and socio- economic issues in India and how they form part of your plan of shaping India’s future. Show your love and commitment to India’s growth and future genuinely.
• Try to link your professional aspirations to the theme of the essay. Try to dram a roadmap from your past life to Stanford MBA life and post MBA India life. Always remember, the fellowship requires fellows to come back to India within to 2 years of their graduation for at least 2 years to work in public/private organization.
• How MBA from Stanford fits into the overall scheme of things. Do your school research and try to show “HOW”.
• keep in mind the word limit (only 250 words). It is definitely too less and everyone is bound to struggle as I did. Probably, 100 words could do more justice to it.

So, well I am ready with my essay and I will be probably submitting it today or tomorrow. Overall, I am satisfied with the final shape of the essay.

Secondly, on GMAT preparation front, I am spending a lot of my time with the OG. I am bit terrified but I am confident. I feel I have got a good grasp on SC and CR now and have to work a bit more on the RC front. Quant section is never a problem for me as I generally score on the range of 47-51 on it. So, all the focus is on the verbal front. I will be taking the tests from tomorrow regularly to judge my course. I am yet to take a date and probably, I will wait for the Reliance Fellowship results because if I happen to be in the 5 finalists, then I can get a GMAT voucher for them. So, as of now, anytime July mid will be the GMAT date.

Finally, I have developed a strategy for choosing the schools. It is very similar to the recruitment process that is generally followed in all the institutes in India. I am going to have two Dream B-Schools and in terms of priority it is going to be Stanford GSB and Hass Berkeley. I am passionate about both of these B-Schools. In fact, they are the only two universities that I have visited on my USA trip last year. Honestly, Stanford GSB has been always been my only unchanged and permanent love because somehow I feel deeply connected to it and I feel no matter what, Stanford can understand me and my aspirations. I am going to go full guns loaded to it. In fact, I got in touch with an alumnus, who has assured me of helping to develop my profile for the GSB. While interacting with him for last couple of months, I found that we have a lot of similarities and when I approached him with the idea of helping me out, he instantly said yes.

So, apart from the dream schools, there will be 4-5 schools where I feel have a good competition to get an offer, which would depend a lot on my GMAT. I have got a tentative list of almost 12 schools in this category but have to dig around a lot more before finalizing the FOUR. Other than this, I am going to apply for ISB and NUS in Asia.

I guess starting early on all fronts will help me getting things proper at the right time and not rush. I am planning got decide on my recommenders also soon. I wrote my first essay with the Reliance Fellowship essay and I feel to get a good essay, one has to bring himself inside out. Though I always knew, what and how I think about my India, but this exercise showed me my shadow in the mirror in true sense. I am really excited about the application season and I hope it is going to be an amazing ride to hidden revelations about myself. One thing for sure is “The mantra for writing essays should be bringing one’s INSIDE OUT”. The more one knows and reveals him in the essays, the more comfortable and confident he would be with the essays.

With Almight blessings and blessings of my parents, I am going to submit the Reliance Fellowship Application today or tomorrow. Ia m keeping my finger crossed.

Update on Reliance Scholarship

Wondering where I have been all these days.

Well, it was a real hectic 2 weeks. I was off to Delhi for a friend’s marriage and then went to the hometown for a minor surgical operation. I have been traveling a lot in train for all these days. The train to Delhi took almost 34hrs from here. I had to rush to catch the train from the bus stop and guess what, got a bad asthma attack, which I had to carry all through this 34  hrs. The worse thing was I forgot to carry my inhaler and medicines as I was not using it here for quite a long time as I was taking all sort of precautions. Anyways, normalcy came slowly once I reached Delhi and got fresh natural air. After 2 days of stay and marriage, I started for my hometown, again a journey of 25 hrs. After a week’s stay at home and partially recovering from the surgery, I returned today back to Bangalore after 27 hrs of train journey. I may not travel again in train as I am lose a lot of time just in traveling and sleeping.

Anyways, the good point is about the train journey was: I almost nearing to the completion of the essay for the Reliance Stanford scholarship. No  matter of what the outcome, Stanford is my first choice and I am not going to give it up so easily but this fellowship is an opportunity to do something good for my country at the same time fulfilling my ambition of doing MBA.

Initially, the draft for the essay came to around 1000 words. I felt I want to to tell my reader quite a lot of things and 250 words is a very samll amount for this. After so many edits, the draft has come down to 450 words. I know I have still a lot to do as the next cut of 200 words will eliminate some of the detailed picture I have in my mind for the essay.

I am planning to send the essay for review by the mid of this week to 3 people for their honest comments before submitting it before the deadline. Probably, once I complete this essay, I feel I can give my honest views on this essay as the 250 word limit is a very strict constraint which can change the analysis completely, at least in this essay.

On the GMAT front, the preparations got completely halted in this period as I did not do anything. I will kickstarting it from today and I am planning for sometime around June mid to July first week. I will be finalizing my date in next 2 weeks.

GMAT decides to redress itself

Yes, the GMAT is prepared to change its test format by 2013, according to an article in Economist.

According to the article, as several universities are moving to concentrated courses, GMAC is considering to redress itself to brace the new format of the MBA game but the new format of test, dubbed as the “Next-Generation GMAT”, will be done after consultation with the business schools.

“the test’s administrator, the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), says it is responding to changes in the business school market, such as an increase in specialised masters programmes and more variations on the traditional MBA.”

GMAT Stress Management

I just happened to read a very good article as to how to manage the stress in GMAT. I am going to use them as I am an obvious victim of it. I know that I can do better but its just that I succumb to the pressure.

I hope this helps me and all those who are on the similar boat.

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Managing GMAT Stress: Seven Useful Tips

By Carrie Shuchart, ManhattanGMAT Instructor

It’s an oft-quoted fact that the most common fear in this country is of public speaking. There you are, standing in front of a crowd, palms sweating, heart racing, voice cracking and every visible part of your body shaking. No wonder more Americans fear this scenario than fear flying, spiders, or (my personal phobia) snakes. The conventional wisdom for battling stage fright is to imagine your audience in their underwear…or better yet, naked.

Unfortunately for GMAT test-takers with anxiety, hardly any relief comes from imagining Jane, who is running at a rate of five miles/hour from the east, and Dick, who is walking at a rate of three miles/hour from the west, in their skivvies. So how do you battle those test-day butterflies (and the sleepless nights that proceed them)? Why, with the following seven steps!

Seven GMAT Stress Tips

1. Prepare

The majority of anxiety stems from the unknown, the “what ifs” that float around in your head. The more you know, the fewer “what ifs” to be had. Know the format of the GMAT inside and out. Know which sections come first, second, and third. Know the rules regarding scratch paper and bathroom breaks. Most importantly, study. Know the material that will be tested and how it will be tested. If you are a master of the information covered on the GMAT, then anything the test throws at you, you will be able to handle. If you’re confident in your abilities, you’ll be able to fight off those jitters.

2. Once you’ve prepared, prepare even moreSure, you’ve taken a few computer practice tests and even slept with the Official Guides under your pillow (much to the chagrin of your significant other). But you can still do more. Figure out where the test center is and make a trial run. Know what you’re going to wear (yes, I’m actually serious about this). Choose comfortable clothes and bring layers; you don’t want to be too cold or too hot during the test.

3. RelaxClose your eyes and visualize your favorite place. Take deep breaths. Go for a jog. Listen to your favorite Gregorian chants. Get a massage. In the days leading up to the GMAT, relax as much as you can. This isn’t to say you stop studying but don’t focus exclusively on the test. Also, remember that the GMAT is not a test you can cram for; you will know the vast majority of the material well before those final days and whatever you try to sneak in right at the end is not really going to matter. Do some practice problems and review your time management strategy, but do not go nuts. Do make sure to get plenty of rest and good food. But go out, enjoy life, and leave that Official Guide under your pillow.

4. Indulge a bitGet as much rest as you can while you gear up for the GMAT. You may not have slept eight hours in a night since you were three years old but, guess what? Now’s the time to know what it’s like to wake without the alarm going off (or to go to bed before The Daily Show). Also, now is the time to make sure you’re taking your mother’s advice: eat your vegetables and take your vitamins. You want to be in top physical shape.

5. Have a post-GMAT planLook, you’ve got a rough day ahead of you. No one is denying that. So give yourself something to look forward to, something positive you can think about for two seconds when you’re bogged down trying to figure out if you’re dealing with a compound subject. Plan to meet a friend for dinner, have tickets to that evening’s ballgame, or book a manicure for an hour after you’re done. You’re almost at the finish line!

6. If things do start to go south, keep your head upOne of the worst things about test anxiety is that it can be self-perpetuating. What happens if you get in there and flub the first question? Your confidence is going to start going down the tubes. Don’t let it. This is something you can control. The GMAT is designed to be hard for everyone; don’t beat yourself up if you can’t answer a question. First of all, you don’t have time to do it and, secondly, what’s past is past. You have to let it go and move on to the next problem.

7. Remember, it’s not the end of the world (or your bschool prospects)The GMAT is just a test. And you can always take it again. It’s also just one part of your application to business school; it won’t make you or break you. Yes, you want to do well. And you should do well. But if you don’t, it really and truly won’t ruin your life.

So take a couple of deep breaths. Shake out your hands and do a couple of neck stretches. Close your eyes for a few seconds and just relax. And if all else fails, remember that Dick looks pretty funny walking at three miles/hour in his tighty-whities.

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There is also a similar article on the stress management, which could be handful.

Courtesy: Manhattan GMAT.

Hello world!

Welcome to my world. MBA is one of the most important dream of my life. I am determined to get it also, so what if I have failed n number of times in various competitive examinations. I may suck at the standardized tests but I know that I am good and this world is going to get a lot out of me, once I am done with my MBA. I aspire to take my MBA next year in the f all of 2010. I am planning to wrtie my GMAT soon, probabky in a month or so.