MBA Dreamz moves to its new domain

Hi Guys,

Whats up? As I prepare myself to re-apply this year, I am moving MBA Dreamz from wordpress blog to its new domain: http://deepakpanigrahy.com/mbadreamz.

Sp, get your feeds updated. I have written to almost all where the MBA Dreamz feeds are active but I, also, take this opportunity to ask ClearAdmit, Accepted, The Art of Applying, Beat the GMAT, Stacy Blackman, MBA Crystal Ball  and Hella to kindly update the feeds.

So, do visit the blog, where I take on another year to my journey towards my MBA.

~ Deepak

PS: Posts from hereon will come only on http://deepakpanigrahy.com/mbadreamz and I will be deleting this blog in sometime.

GRE vs GMAT

I guess a lot of you might have already started thinking about this. GRE goes for a makeover this August and for the first time, comes closer to the pattern and format of GMAT. Why is this important?

A lot of you might already know that GRE is accepted by almost 400 b-schools, including some of the biggies like Yale, HBS, Stanford, MIT, Insead to name a few. I am sure with this change, more b-schools might consider accepting GRE scores. Basically, ETS is going for a makeover with the change in GRE format. According to Clearadmit, the follwoing changes in GRE are significant:

Quantitative Section
• More data analysis
• Less geometry
• The introduction of numeric entry questions that require test takers to provide a specific answer rather than select from multiple choices
• An on-screen calculator, which could mean more complex math questions

Verbal Section
• No more antonym or analogy questions
• The introduction of in-context questions designed to test both reasoning skills and vocabulary
• New “strengthen/weaken” reading comprehension questions, similar to those on the GMAT

Does the above changes sound similar? Yes, GRE is coming closer to GMAT. It would be interesting to see how GMAT responds to this change when it goes for a makeover next year. As of now, it is good for the applicants if more b-schools start accepting the GRE scores.

But here is one catch. It seems that people taking the GRE test in august won’t be able to get their scores till November. Personally, I feel that it is not fair and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal on behalf of all test-takes from August to all the b-schools accepting GRE scores or are planning to accept, kindly make some changes to your deadlines to accommodate special cases like this for the current year. I feel that any step by b-schools to address this concern of applicants would play a big role in their fairness to the system and the candidates.

I would also request my readers to support this appeal by just clicking on the like button or sharing this post across. Additionally, I would also request the admission consultants and Admission Committees of all b-schools, if they are reading to consider the applicants taking GRE in August fairly and not to discard them right away just because they are yet to get their scores.

Source: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2011/02/important-information-for-prospective-mba-applicants-considering-the-gre/

Upcoming Webinar exclusively for Indian Applicants

This post is quick shout-out for upcoming webinar for Indian applicants by Kaneisha. Now, Kaneisha does not need any introduction on my blog. I feel this is the first time someone is attempting such a unique webinar. As an Indian applicant myself, I understand the curiosity and issues with the Indian Applicants. Being very close to Kaneisha also, I can assure she is going to give some awesome insights into the whole application process from our perspectives.

The link you can use to learn more about the webinar is here: http://buy.theartofapplying.com/india-webinar/

Rush and register yourself and let me know what you think.

Happy Thanksgiving :-)

Wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Belated but it was there and I did not want to miss out this opportunity.

I started my journey on this blog when I started my journey to pursue an MBA. After that it was on and off but I was sure I am going to do this. Nevertheless, this post is not about me. Its about you, guys.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone:

My Readers: You are the best. Without you, I would not have come this far. Thank you again. I would also request request all my silent users to speak and regular readers to speak more and let me know how I can help you out guys.

My special friends: Marquis Parker and Kaneisha Grayson. Thanks a lot, Marquis. Without you, this journey was very tough for me. Hopefully, I am going to fly to Chicago one day to meet you in person soon . Let me tell you, I can’t wait to do so. Thanks Kaneisha for your kind words and help. You are always sweet. may The Art of Applying reach the heights you have dreamed of.

MBA Consultants: ClearAdmit, Accepted.com, especially Linda Abraham, Beat the GMAT, special mentione to Eric Bahn and David Park and of course, Art of Applying, you guys are amazing and I would like to thank you for featuring me time and again in your blogs. I would also like to thank you all for recognizing my small tiny contributions to this MBA blogging community by giving me precious moments, some of which I shared on the blog back again.

Finally, last but not the least, Hella. I remember that the first time I mentioned you on my blog, I referred you as “SHE” and you corrected me by your comment. You were one of the first persons to comment on this blog, Hella. Thanks Hella for including me in your database, without which I would have never been able to reach such nice people in my life, some of whom have become my life-long friends now

To everyone, we might have problems in our lives. We might be tensed about what is going to happen to our applications. Some of us might be worried about our GMAT preparations. Honestly, I know how it feels because I am in the exactly same state. But still, I would like to urge all of you to take some time off, go back to your friends and families and ENJOY!!! Thank GOD for this wonderful LIFE, thank your friends and families without whom we would be as lonely as the only person on this planet. Because what one can do has been done and now only we can do is believe in ourselves, in our applications and hope things work out. May all of our Dreams come true

Happy Thanksgiving Again, Guys!!!

Shout out for Marquis and Kaneisha

Okay, for the first time two of my great friends, Marquis and Kaniesha, came together for the first time. Both of these people are very special to me and I, really, treasure their friendships. So, without much delay, here is link of the post where Marquis interviewed Kaneisha on his conversation series blogs.

http://www.marquisparker.com/2010/11/conversation-with-kaneisha-grayson-founder-of-the-art-of-applying/

Ohh yes, thank you Kaneisha for shouting out for me in the interview. I, really, appreciate it

Kaneisha’s Word Count Weight Loss Program

Join us for a FREE Webinar on November 17 Space is limited to 100 people. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://bit.ly/a7cIr0 I am going to do what no other admissions consultant HAS done and probably ever WILL do. I am going to show you LIVE how I edit my clients’ wordy essays and get them to fit in the word count. Like a magician, I am going to blindly take an essay I have never seen before and edit it down to the appropriate word count.  I will also share easy tips and strategies for writing more concisely and getting rid of the fat in your essays! Title: Kaneisha’s Word Count Weight Loss Program Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM PST After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

What is Live Editing? Well, I take this opportunity to fulfill my long outstanding promise to Kaneisha. Here is a brief summary about my personal encounter with Kaneisha from “The Art of Applying”. She edited one of my essays and I really saw the Magic she claims to have. Please don’t take this post otherwise. I am not writing this post just to show how magical is Kaneisha with her essay editing skills but because I have myself witnessed the MAGIC happening. Yes, you heard it right. She is a true magician.

Two days prior to our scheduled call, she asked my essay that has to be edited. We started with a small chit-chat because even though we had interacted a lot through emails, this was the first time we were talking to each other. She pulled up my essay from her email and what happened after that was a magic.

She opened my essay and started editing it online via skype. Yes, you heard it right. I could witness all the action on skype. She quickly went through the whole essay and began asking me questions wherever she felt there was a logical gap in the flow of the story. Gradually, she filled in the gaps. What amazed me here was not only her editing skills but her eye for details which could fill in the gaps in the thought flow.

Once, we were ready, we decided to fine-tune the contents and form more concrete sentences and making grammatical corrections, wherever appropriate. After every round of edit, she went on to check the word count. And ask, would you like to add something. And trust me, most of time, I was able to add something substantial. Every time she was calm and patient, then take my input, accommodate it and a re-run through the essay. After two such rounds, she was exactly at the exact word count. I was stunned by her intuition.

One thing that you will notice while working with her is: “Hey, don’t worry about the word count. Leave that to me and give me as much details as you can.” Honestly I, too, felt the same. The more details one gives to his reviewers, the more good the essays finally take shape.

So, what are waiting for, go and register yourself for the webinar and see the magician playing her tricks and mesmerize you with her magic live.

I apologize but I will not be available on Wednesday as I am traveling but I am sure you are going to feel the same way as I felt. Good Luck and Enjoy

Updates

Hi Guys,

Hope all of you are doing great Like you, I am also very busy with my applications and deadlines.

Though GMAT score was not what I expected, but it was nevertheless satisfying. I have already submitted a couple of applications and keeping my fingers very tightly crossed. There are some more in pipeline this month with next three weeks all tied up. So, pardon me for not being regular with my blog. It is really hectic but honestly, I am enjoying the journey with a hope that my flight lands up at its right destination without any distractions.

I, also, apologize David Park, CEO of BTG,  and Kaneisha Grayson, The Art of Applying, for not being able to write few posts as I promised to you guys. I am still on it and I assure you that I will be on it as soon as I find some time. You guys have been of great assistance to me

Between, I completed by Competent Communicator certification from Toastmasters International and recently, presented my club in the Area Level Humorous Speech Contest. Though I did not win, but the experience has been amazing. Hope to do better next time in International Speech Contest.

Do wish me Luck and give me couple of weeks more to be back on the blog with full throttle and help you in whatever way possible. Your wishes means a lot to me and they are very very important Thanks again for all the patience and support.

MBADreamz-10K hits Milestone

Thanks for all the support and assistance. The blog hit the 10K mark since its inception . The journey has been very good till now and I hope you enjoyed reading my journey as much as I did in reality.

Thanks for all the readers who have supported me through my good and bad times. MBADreamz is an effort to share the information and my voyage to a B-School and no voyage is joyful and entertaining without enthusiastic people on board like my readers- you all.

A Special thanks to my friends, especially Marquis, who has been with me throughout.

Thanks to all the MBA consultancies-MBAMission, TheArtofApplying, BeattheGMAT, ClearAdmit and Accepted.com-for featuring my article from time to time and giving me a unique exposure. Thanks Hella, ClearAdmit and BeattheGMAT for thinking me worthy enough to be in your database. It could not have been possible without your support.

I vow to keep on writing, writing my story to a b-school and thereafter also, if at all I make it, which I am definitely hopeful of.

Let this community grow and stay as a closely knitted family just like the alumni of a school stay

Upcoming Webinar on School Choice, Quick Start Essays & Killer Recommendations

With the tremendous success of  ”B-School Despite Odds” webinar, “The Art of Applying” is proud to bring to you another webinar on 8/26 titled “School Choice, Quick-Start Essays, & Killer Recommendations”.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WEBINAR SERIES: http://theartofapplying.com/bdo/join/

A detailed de-brief on the earlier webinar has been covered earlier at http://mbadreamz.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/de-brief-of-kaneisas-webinar/

MBADreamz has been fortunate enough to bring exclusive interview of Kaneisha for its readers earlier at http://mbadreamz.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/interview-of-kaneisha-from-artofapplying/

mbadreamz is now official blogger for TheArtofApplying

Sorry guys, I have been down with cold and fever for a week and had to postpone a lot of things. Anyways, the good thing is mbadreamz is now official blogger for TheArtofApplying and I will be carrying various promotional events and webinars here.

The topic this time is: “School Choice, Quick-Start Essays, and Killer Recommendations.”

Unfortunately, we have put on hold the event after the cancellation of the webinar on August 12. Now, the event is going to be on August 26, 2010.

Link to Register:  http://theartofapplying.com/bdo/join

In case, you would like to have a look at the past seminar of TheArtofApplying, please feel free to visit http://bschoolodds.com/free-webinar