July 29, 2007
· Filed under applications
Good news: I set a PR (personal record) for running 13.1 miles–45 seconds faster than my previous PR. I finally hit that imaginary barrier that I had set for myself 3 years ago when I started running longer distances.
Bad news: It hurt so much when I was running that the only thing I was focused on was putting one foot in front of the other. At mile 11, when I was contemplating giving up and walking, it dawned on me that I had forgotten to think about the Kellogg diversity essay which I had planned to map out during this race. Oops.
Lesson learned: When truly pushing the pace, my brain goes zen. Running is only conducive to essay mapping when I’m going at a more leisurely pace.
In other news, I received a personalized letter (more probably someone from the marketing office) from the Dean at ND Mendoza urging me to apply. I was flattered by the personalization (swayed by direct marketing much?) and briefly considered it…until I realized that they don’t have the program I’m looking for, I already make more than the average graduate, and I really don’t want to live in South Bend, Indiana. Wharton sent me an email blast inviting me to a local women’s only event, which I am also now considering. I’m still not sold on Philadelphia…but it just goes to show that a little love can go a long way.
As a B2B marketer, I’ve been more skeptical of direct mail lately, not just the rate of return, but the environmental impact…but they got me this week.
July 25, 2007
· Filed under Kellogg
When I first started studying for the GMAT, I did it with a glass of wine. Not long after, I realized this didn’t work well for me. Of course, the GMAT was a long time ago (ok, just two months) and I’ve already forgotten this lesson. I just got home from my last track workout before this weekend’s half marathon, fixed myself a nice dinner and cracked open a cold beer. Fired up the laptop to gear up on an essay writing session and just realized *doh* no focus.
Either Montauk or Bodine says to write every day, so here I am.
I had a moment of clarity on the track today: rather than trying to perfect my goals essay, I’m going to move on to Essay #2. Once I’ve completed a suitable first draft for each of my essays, I’ll take a look at my essays as a whole and see what needs to be edited to provide a truly complementary profile. For Sunday’s half marathon, I’ll look over my Kellogg essays and focus on whichever one I’m having the most trouble with. My best thinking is done either on the run or on my 45 minute commute to/from work.
July 20, 2007
· Filed under Kellogg
Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at Kellogg (one-two pages double spaced)
I’ve temporarily abandoned the HBS essays in favor of Kellogg’s, mostly because I want to nail the first essay (above) and set the tone for the rest of my applications. I’ve jotted a lot of ideas down and figured out my career plans and how it ties into my background. Yesterday, I wrote, what I felt at the time, were four good paragraphs outlining my specific experiences within my career thus far. This morning, I read it over and I’m a little bit disappointed. I’ve done exactly what Montauk tells readers NOT to do–I’ve given a chronological rundown of my resume (although with stories and examples sprinkled in). Back to the drawing board. ARGH.
I’m heading down to LA for the weekend armed with some light beach reading: Montauk, Bodine, and my rough essay sketches. Starting next week, nose to the grindstone. I wonder if I can draft a set of essays every 10 days. That would give me ~2 days to draft each essay over the course of the next 6 weeks, taking me into early September. That would leave September for visiting schools, continually refining my essays, and give me some breathing room since my work hours can get pretty intensive late Sept – early Dec.
July 17, 2007
· Filed under applications
I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks, but after a conversation with a fellow applicant interested in healthcare, I’m cutting NYU off my list. They just don’t have the program that I’m looking for. I’ve known this for a while, but kept them on there because I really liked the idea of finally living in the same city as my best friend again.
This scares me a little bit since NYU was my “more likely” school.
In other application news, I sent a set of five questions out to people who know me in different ways: family, friends from various stages in my life, roommates, close colleagues, running buddies, etc. Basically, I asked them what they like about me, what they don’t like about me, what they think is unique about me, what five words they’d use to describe me, and what makes them think of me. Hopefully this will give me some added insight since it can sometimes be difficult to step back and realistically evaluate someone (me) that you (I) deal with every single minute of every day.
July 13, 2007
· Filed under applications
HBS, Kellogg, and Haas have all released their essays. The inertia of the last few weeks has been replaced by the pressure of knowing that I have to write ~20 great essays which have a direct impact on my future. I’m notoriously slow at writing (in college, I started my essays as soon as they were assigned whereas most people wrote things the night before). However, as painstaking as essays are for me, what traditionally comes of it is (in my opinion) pretty awesome. I read back on old essays and the prose, logic and flow are amazing. Of course, I haven’t written a real essay in 7 years. Hopefully writing is like riding a bike.
I’ve come up with my positioning statement. I wrote the first draft of HBS’ accomplishments essay yesterday. Of course, there is a lot of revising that needs to be done, but at least I knocked one out. Next week, I’m sending a couple questions to my friends and family with the hope that they’ll be able to point out some things about myself that I’ve missed. It is rather difficult to step back and figure out what is unique about yourself when you deal with yourself on a daily basis–everything becomes ordinary.
I think I’ll approach these applications one by one. I’ve had a few weeks to ruminate on the HBS application, so I’ll tackle that first. I’ll think about the Kellogg essay in the meantime, and draft that next. And then on to Haas. I’ve got some pretty good ideas for Haas…but on first glance, the “innovative solution” question will require some thought. Right now, the only thing that comes to mind is those chain reaction/domino contraptions…which I’ve never created.
After all that, I’ll go back to each application and revise holistically. There is some time before the fall due dates…but August is the time for me to really pump out those essays.
Tomorrow I have a 12 mile training run and then we’re picking up a whole pig (delicious beast!) for my friend’s BBQ. Sunday, I’ll sit down for another HBS essay draft.
July 12, 2007
· Filed under applications
I’m a worrier. This isn’t a characteristic that I allow to surface in the professional arena, but self doubt follows me wherever I go. I truly am my own worst critic and my friend always reminds me that I don’t give myself enough credit. I have high standards for myself and will accept nothing less. I have to constantly remind myself that anything that I’ve ever set my mind to, I’ve achieved. Anything that I really want, I usually get. Things always have a way of working themselves out.
These days, I worry that I’m shooting too high with my choice of schools. What if I’m shooting for the moon and miss completely? It happens. I’ve read some blogs from people who strike out completely their first year. A couple people struck out their second year as well. On GMATClub, one guy struck out with 7 apps this year. I worry that I’ll fall into this demographic. Anyone know of any mid-level MBA programs that offer both a healthcare AND marketing track?
However, I shouldn’t. I’ve got solid stats, solid work experience, great recommendations, and kickass writing skills (I still read my college entrance essay sometimes and marvel at its genius–really!). I just need to focus on harnessing all of my assets and producing stellar essays. I need to stop comparing myself to other people and run my own race.
Changing gears, I was a little bit embarassed when one of my recommenders sent me a draft yesterday. Already?! I have my brainstorms, but nothing solid yet for HBS. Yesterday, I went back to Montauk’s book and started some of the brainstorming/mining exercises. Hopefully something good will come about it.
I think that if I treat each of my essays like a blog post, my true voice should shine through. Of course, this will be a blog that will be multiply revised and critiqued, but the same voice should come through.
July 9, 2007
· Filed under applications
After a rare conference call where my manager (he’s the GM for a several hundred person division) showed up in person (he’s usually flying somewhere) AND we finished early, I spoke to him about writing my reference letters for bschool.
Something must have gone wrong, because it was just too easy. He said of course he’ll write my letters (or maybe his wife, who is a Kellogg alumna, will ghost-write them), just give him the deadlines. Of course, this doesn’t come as a surprise to him. Every time we’re at an off-site and we’ve had a few drinks (this company has an alcohol-heavy culture), I ask him if he’ll write my recs for me. This time, however, there are real deadlines. He’s late for everything (almost missed his own wedding)…so I’m sure there will be a lot of manager management down the road for me…unless his wife takes over.
On a slightly unrelated note, does anyone out there know if all bschools lump “Asians” into one bracket when they’re doing their demographics? I don’t think I got lumped into the overrepresented “Asian” category when I applied for undergrad, but I did notice that the HBS application doesn’t differentiate between East Asian (typically overrepresented group) and Southeast Asian (traditionally underrepresented–but is this true for bschool?, me). Southeast Asian-American, that is.
July 7, 2007
· Filed under Harvard, applications
Running has always been my form of meditation (real meditation makes me fall asleep). I ran a 16k trail race this morning. Since I knew I had ~2 hours (I’m not fast) of running through the trees, I figured I’d spend the time mapping out the first two HBS essays. While I’ve figured out 2 of my greatest accomplishments, I still have one more to pinpoint. I’m running a half marathon in two weeks…I’m sure I can figure out something within 13.1 miles.
I had greater success identifying a mistake that I learned from. Halfway through my first loop, it dawned on me that this doesn’t have to be my GREATEST mistake…just something that I learned from. While climbing 4000 feet I was able to outline my mistake/lessons learned essay and draw personal/business parallels. As soon as I finished (no scrubbing but a minor ankle roll and a little bit of blood on my legs from the brush), I grabbed my backpack and scribbled out my outline before the thoughts escaped me.
I drank two diet cokes and ate a giant bowl of chili before J came in from what was supposed to be his 25k race. J has the worst sense of direction in the world, so when I started seeing people finishing the 25k that shouldn’t be finishing in front of him, I knew for sure that he had gotten lost. Almost nine years with someone and you just know. Sure enough, he came in a little bit later, having done an extra loop for a total of 29k.
Those are the joys and adventures of trail running: getting lost, getting bloody, and getting DONE!
July 3, 2007
· Filed under Harvard, applications
It is quiet in the office today so I’ve spent the better part of this morning working on my HBS application. Other bloggers have mentioned that it takes a lot longer to fill out the “easy” parts than one would think–but wow–they really want some details! For example, the application asks for the name and contact info for my university’s Registrar. I didn’t even know that was a real person! I was a bit apprehensive since I went to a UC and thought I’d end up stuck in phone tree purgatory. Luckily, the Registrar’s office is very easy to reach and I got the information I needed. One question that HBS asks that I could not answer was estimated ranking among peers. My school does not do this…and with 10,000 other people in my class, how am I supposed to know? How did/will other applicants answer this question?
Other parts of the application that surprised me were the 250-500 word blurbs that are required to describe each company/job (luckily I’ve only worked for two), and to account for any gaps. I ended up writing ~300 words on a 4-month employment gap when I helped my mom care for my dying grandparents and aunt. It brought me back to a very dark time in my life when four family members died within the span of 6 months. I was very embarassed to discover that I had tears in my eyes while writing this piece…in my cube. Luckily not many people are around today.
I have quite a ways to go on this application (and this is only one of six?!). I still need to update my resume (luckily I last updated it in Nov 2006), input my transcripts and extracurriculars, write my essays, and get my recommendations. Although he knows my intentions and deadlines, I still need to speak to my manager about specifics. I haven’t approached my previous manager yet (he will be my third recommendation, so I need to see what other schools require a third before I approach him) but will need to do so soon. And finally, my most enthusiastic recommender and biggest professional advocate/mentor is not doing so well these days. I just heard that she was on medical leave…hopefully she’ll still be able to do my recommendations. Otherwise, I’ll have to ask colleagues that haven’t managed me but have worked closely with me. I hope it doesn’t come to that. However, I do hope she gets better soon.
