Preparing for Business School

About this time last year I scheduled my first GMAT exam.  So I need to remind myself how I’ve come full circle.

I think back to all of the students who I spoke with last year. All of them said that “once you’re accepted it doesn’t stop.” Of course, I didn’t believe them nor care to digest what they were saying. I just wanted to get accepted first and then worry about the rest of the stuff. I mean what could be more hectic than applying to business school right?

Well let me tell you… things just accelerate and start going a mile a minute.  You know how when you’re applying to school you’re just focused on the deadlines.  Now I’m focused on other things. Let me back up a bit first…

So Destination Johnson Weekend… Let me just say that this whole business school thing, finally set in and hit me this past weekend. It was a very humbling and empowering weekend. I’m glad that I got to meet many of my future classmates – who are all amazing. Like I stated in my last post, I’m not going to go into detail what all went down at DJ, but just know that we all had a blast and were completely exhausted by the end of it. I’m not sure how people can go to 2/3/4 admitted students weekends. They are so draining.

It was interesting texting my friends who were attending ASW’s at other schools to get their perspectives.  I had a different experience from the experiences of some of my friends at other ASW’s. I think if you go into an ASW still trying to decide on a particular school, you’ll have a completely different experience. I’ve had so many conversations with friends about which schools they should attend… but basically tell them all that they will get that ZEN feeling when they’re at the school that they are supposed to end up at. I know it’ll work out for them but in the back of my mind I’m glad that I’ve already been able to invest fully in Johnson since I know I’ll be attending.

I will say though that for anyone debating between two/three schools. Really take a look around at the 1st and 2nd years and ask yourself if in 5 years you’ll be able to reach out to them. If you don’t think that the current 1st and 2nd years will respond to you, then how do you think the folks who have been out of school for 10+ years will respond?  During DJ all of the 1st year students ended with “we will be here to help you guys…”  That’s very powerful as cliche as that may sound, but hey… it’s true.  It’s also one of the reasons I wanted a small school.

Another thing I realized is that I need to start preparing for the school year now. I have about 4 applications that I need to fill out for things that will impact my first year.  There’s so much to do… so little time!  OP is around the corner….hopefully CTLS is around the corner… I have to move to Ithaca in July… MBA Math is in the summer…hopefully the P&G brand camp is in the summer… Johnson Math Camp is in the summer… and then school starts!

Oh and also…  the money coming out of one’s bank account does not stop after you’ve been accepted!  Just FYI for those who have depleted bank accounts.  Trust me… it’s tough.  I feel like I need to take out a loan just to pay for the stuff leading up to business school.  Unfortunately, I won’t be able to quit my job in the next couple of weeks like a lot of my counterparts. I’m jealous of them!

I’m tired just thinking about it, but it’s definitely going to be another fun ride!

“A 20-Day Emotional Roller Coaster: One Acceptance, Five Rejections”

“How Will I Pay for My Cornell MBA? Good Question.”