That’s approximately how much I’ve spent thus far on my quest for an MBA. Yes, its pennies compared to the $120k debt I’ll have in 2010 (hopefully), but it is kind of interesting (procrastinating!) to track. This includes the Kaplan course, the most expensive item, which served its purpose of keeping me on track. If you have the discipline to study on your own, save yourself the money. However, I had given myself two years to take the GMAT on my own, which never happened….hence my $1k punishment.
This tally also includes GMAT fees, books, the Kellogg application fee, and the flight/hotel/car to my Duke interview. I have a four-day product training on the East Coast in October. I saved myself quite a bit of money by tacking my Duke visit/tour/interview onto the end of this trip. It will definitely be quite hectic, but efficient. The biggest challenge (aside from the interview) will be getting the proper nutrition required for a 20-mile training run the next day…at the airport…and then going straight to a wedding…and then finishing up my Wharton application. The other weird thing is that my Duke interview occurs before any of my applications are due. I need to start on my Duke essays this week.
At my manager’s request, I sent him a draft of my Kellogg essays today. I’m a little bit embarassed since some of it is quite personal. I also found out that I’m getting a new manager soon. The timing may require that I explain this in my applications. We’ll see. I’m not really concerned since I know the person and I admire her work.
