Boy, I'm Glad I Applied to Business School
Apr 14, 2007
So, not only did I get an MBA, but I had my identity stolen from two schools (USC and UCLA), and now a apparently peripherally involved in an IRS investigation at UCLA, where I didn’t even go. To wit: Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Oh Yeah, The Big News...
May 15, 2006
So did I mention that I graduated on Friday? I’m officially an MBA. I think the description for what I’m feeling now is “bittersweet, elated terror.” I definitely feel as if I’ve accomplished something incredible, but, gosh, the pressure to now accomplish something even more incredible is that much greater. Read on… (plus 3 Comments)
Well, I Guess That's It
May 8, 2006
I turned in my last paper at about 12:30 pm today; I think that means I’m done. I’m completely in shock, I don’t believe that I really won’t be going in to class in just a few days, or working on a group project, or booking another study room. I still expect that I’ll be having the Cobb salad, served every Tuesday at Popovich cafe, for lunch tomorrow, and the taco salad the day after. I mean, this can’t be it, can it? What will I do with 80-100 more hours every week? Um, yay?
Hee, I’m going on Read on… (plus 2 Comments)
Lastday: Taurus 23 Year of the City 2006
Apr 28, 2006
Yesterday was my official last day of class at Marshall. Barring an incredible reversal of fortune on the two papers and one final left, I’ll officially have my MBA in just two weeks! It’s an exciting thought, and I’m thrilled about what is in my future. But, ya know what, I’m kinda sad too. Read on…
Regret Theory
Apr 26, 2006
I spent the last two days thinking that if I just worked reeeally hard this semester, I could manange to graduate with some kind of honors or something. Now, this will shock those of you who know me, but I had actually made a mathematical error when computing my GPA and had myself at a 3.56, rather than the actual 3.48 GPA that I earned with all of my hard work etc. etc. Read on…
Hello, Navel!
Apr 22, 2006
This morning I got up early and fought my way through LA Freeway accident traffic and several packed-full parking lots to sit in front of over 100 prospective members of the class of 2008 (n.b. grammarians — “over” = “more than” dates back over/more than 400 years) and talk about my business school experiences. Apparently someone was deluded enough to think that I’d say good, positive things that would make these desirable admits come to school. Read on…
Surprise Business School Speaker!
Apr 7, 2006
Channeling The Spirit of Evil
Mar 26, 2006
I’m designing slides for this upcoming C4C event, the ’80s Prom. Yes, that’s right, I’m finally on the prom committee. I do not, however, have a date. Figures!
Anyway, so I’m researching a lot of ’80s design to make ’80s-style powerpoints to go with the charity auction. And boy is a lot of that ’80s design awful! It hurts me to make it happen. I am channeling the dark visuals of Reagan and Don Johnson Read on…
Buy a Hip Laptop Bag and Donate to Special Olympics!
Mar 22, 2006
As some of y’all know, I’m a board member of Challenge for Charity, a non-profit run by West Coast business schools that raises money for the Special Olympics. C4C is a big deal at Marshall, and we get great support from students and alums. Just recently, alums with a hot newfashion accessory bag company have pleged to donate for each purchase we make. Check it out:
<img Read on… (plus 4 Comments)
MBAs Gone Wild on Spring Break!
Mar 20, 2006
Oh maaaan, I had the wildest spring break. I went craaaazy, all out, no holds barred, put it all on the line. That’s right, my spring break was oooooouuuuuuut of control! Yeah, like a major playa, I stayed home and worked on research and planning for my new business, that’s hardcore, dude. Read on… (plus 5 Comments)
New on WadeArmstrong.com: Quick-and-Dirty Go/No Go
Feb 9, 2006
Have a brilliant idea that will shake the world of business to its very core? Here’s a quick and dirty way to figure out if you should kill any more neurons thinking so hard about it.
Read on… (plus 1 Comments)Me, Meet Box
Jan 31, 2006
If you’re interested in classifying yourself — and goodness knows, I classify everything so such an exercise certainly appeals to me — a good place to start might be the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a scientifically un-validated test that classifies everyone into one of 16 groups with four-letter names. I’m an INTJ; every time I’ve taken the MBTI — whether a fake version online I found in college or the real, authorized one I took in b-school or the several in between — I’ve come out an INTJ. But I took this other test for a class, the IPIP-NEO, and, well, the overlap between the two makes it clear that I’m in that little box formerly labeled Misanthrope. Read on… (plus 7 Comments)
I Am A Rock Star
Jan 28, 2006
I am a rock star.
I can make any project rock.
I bring the atmosphere of rocking with me. Read on… (plus 8 Comments)
99 Days
Jan 27, 2006
In 99 days, I’ll actually be an MBA. Seems far off; seems like I’ve been in school forever. Being in the real world will be a bit of a shock!
Read on… (plus 4 Comments)How To Disrupt Business School
Jan 24, 2006
I’m sitting in the courtyard of the business school right now, and an enormous smell of marijuana just descended over the place. About two dozen formerly hard-working MBA candidates looked up from their work, started peering around, started checking each others’ hands for traces of smoking materials, and even walked around following the smell. The verdict? Some passing homie, I guess (we are in South-Central).
Read on… (plus 2 Comments)If You're Spending Money These Days...
Jan 14, 2006
Why not spend it in a way that gives to a charity? Even better, why not spend it in a way that gives to a charity that I support and in a way that makes me look good?
I’m a board member of Challenge for Charity at Marshall, a coalition of business school students raising money in a super-competitive manner (we’re b-school students after all) for Special Olympics. We’ve set things up so that you can spend your money in the usual way and give to Special Read on…
1-800-Autopsy
Nov 10, 2005
Did you know that less than 2% of the people who die in hospitals are autopsied? That the autopsy rate has been dropping for the last 40 years? That all of this could somehow end up making somebody money? Me neither! But that’s who we met in class today, East LA’s own Vidal Herrera, former CSI, autopsy tech, and founder of 1-800-Autopsy. Read on…
Dear System Administrator
Nov 5, 2005
Thank you for capping my mailbox size at 45 megabytes. I very much appreciate the periodic message telling me that I’ve used up all of my space and can neither send nor receive any messages. I particularly appreciate how you bounce back any mail sent to me, returning it to the sender with a cryptic error message. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Things I Learned At The Marshall Halloween Party
Oct 29, 2005
Life is a series of lessons, often painful and traumatic. It’s at times like these that we need to write down the lessons we learn so that we don’t have to undergo these trials again. Simple, clear lessons can often be distilled from life’s most awful experiences, and set down, for review as we all strive and grow.
Of course, sometimes those lessons come from alcohol, friends, and excessively loud music. Then they’re just fun. Here’s what I learned at the Marshall Halloween party. Read on… (plus 5 Comments)
Día de Fiascos
Oct 20, 2005
Today was an interesting day, a day that offered me a unique range of the experiences avaialable at business school. Or — in another way to look at it — I got to build up my bad karma, then reap the rewards. Read on…
Back on Top
Oct 19, 2005
I got back on track tonight with a win in the cooking competition. My Thai Beef Noodles turned out tasty — I believe the flavor was described by one of my competitors as “very smooth.” Read on…
2-3, 2-3, and Now 3-1
Oct 13, 2005
I love to compete, so it’s no surprise that I’m in two Fantasy Football leagues and one weekly cooking competition; I like to win, too, which is why it’s a little bit surprising that I’m 2-3 in both leagues and, now, have dropped from 3-0 to 3-1 in the cooking competition. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
First Flu of the Season
Oct 12, 2005
I thought it might be important for you, the two members of my reading public, that I post before I die of what may in fact be the Deadly Avian Flu (certainly, I am regularly exposed to a bird).
Actually, this is a pretty miserable thing I’ve got, whatever it is. Congestion, fever, aches — sounds like a flu of some sort. I can’t believe it so early in the year, I’m usually one of the last people to get the flu. While everyone is getting sick in November and December, I typically last ‘til February or even April, when people just think I’m making up this whole “flu” thing. Read on… (plus 4 Comments)
A Bite Here, A Bite There
Oct 7, 2005
One of the things we do a billion of here in b-school is informational interviews. The goals of these interviews are typically to learn which skills we need to broadcast in order to get into an industry, as well as make a contact in the industry who can later point us to jobs. I always try to tack on to that a few questions about how I can get the most out of the remainder of my MBA education. The guy I was speaking with on Wednesday had what I’ve come to realize is an excellent insight: there’s not enough time in an MBA to learn everything you’d like, but that first class in an area outside of your concentration will give you a lot more learning than that fifth class inside your concentration. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Tarred With The One Brush
Oct 4, 2005
Something sometimes happens in b-school, something that scares me as someone who’s seen it from the outside. In b-school, there’s group projects in every class; and, every now and then, there’s a group member who doesn’t contribute. News of this individual’s worthlessness in a group spreads quickly, and, soon, if you mention that person’s in your team, you get snickers from other hard-working people. Soon, wherever you go, that person is known as a Bad Team Member. Read on…
Working Hard or Hardly Working?
Sep 28, 2005
So this morning I wrote a 10-page paper. This is either a sign that I’m working really hard or that I’m a total slacker who puts big projects off ‘til the last minute. Since I’m finding time to blog right now, one might be inclined to pick the latter.
Anyway, this brings up the big question of the second year, which is: “do I work hard and learn a shitload and get out in the world ready to take on any challenge, or do I take the easiest classes I can find and try to get out of here with as much of my sanity intact as possible, given that I get the same three letters after my name either way and Marshall doesn’t report GPAs to potential employers?” Read on… (plus 4 Comments)
Help Me Help Special Olympics
Sep 20, 2005
This weekend, I’ll be hobbling through a one-mile fun run to help raise money for Special Olympics. I know everyone has given a lot lately, for the victims of Katrina (hopefully thorough the banner above!), but it would make a tremendous difference in the life of these kids if you could help me out with a donation to support my hobbling.
You can donate through my Active.com site at http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=juniorbird.
Read on… (plus 1 Comments)She's A Real Boy Scout
Sep 13, 2005
Yesterday we had a fun power outage. Popovich Hall was blacked out (making my bathroom break rather interesting), but at least it was a beautiful day out and we could all sit in the courtyard comfortably.
But then came the problem of class. The lights were back on by the time my Advertising and Promotions Management course started, but the computers were Read on… (plus 5 Comments)
B-School vs. TiVo
Sep 2, 2005
It’s always difficult when two important, beloved parts of one’s life conflict. Well, that time has finally come for me. While watching Cold Case, I realized: I should’t let myself fast forward through TV ads anymore. It’s not just fun anymore; now it’s education. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Information Density
Sep 1, 2005
Overall, I’m inclined to say that the electives this term are of higher quality than many of my courses last year — but one really stands out. Financial Analysis and Valuation is about gaining the skills to dig fairly deep into a corporation’s financial statemtents and use the numbers in these to discover things about the company’s financial health, growth (or shrinking) prospects, and true value.
This course is spectacular; I’ve never been in such an information-dense environment. I live in fear that my Read on…
Rio Beaches PRIME Photos
Aug 17, 2005
I’ve had all of these galleries of photos from South America, but the number one question I get is: “what about those beach babes in thongs on Copacabana and Ipanema in Rio?” Well, this is the entry in which I finally answer that question. Read on…
Fort Copacabana Rio PRIME Photos
Aug 13, 2005
As promised, pictures of the impressive Fort Copacabana in the Rio Harbor. Click to zoom. Read on… (plus 3 Comments)
Corcovado In Rio PRIME Pictures
Aug 9, 2005
One of Rio’s most famous landmarks is the large statue of Christ on the Corcovado mountain. This was one of the banner stops on my second day in Rio. Click to zoom, etc. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Internship Presentation Stress
Aug 8, 2005
We interrupt your regularly-scheduled PRIME photos in order to bring you this breaking stress-out about the three presentations I have to make tomorrow. Three! Including two to people who are substantially senior in grade to me and to any position I might gain in the next few years at Intel, were I to take a job there. Read on… (plus 7 Comments)
Pao de Azucar at Rio de Janeiro PRIME
Aug 6, 2005
Pao de Azucar, or Sugarloaf Mountain, is one of Rio’s major attractions. In our first day of sun, we climbed up the mountain and took in our first sights of the city. Click to buy mousepads from Smugmug, etc. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Churrasco in São Paulo PRIME Pictures
Aug 6, 2005
Brazil is famous for its Churrasco — all-you-can-eat barbecued meats served tableside by waitrons bearing skewers of the food and sabers to cut out the portions. I especially recommend the chicken hearts; drink with copious guaraná. (Click to enlarge photos.) Read on…
São Paulo Churches PRIME Pictures
Aug 3, 2005
São Paulo has some lovely churches in it. As mentioned here, these include a lovely old cathedral and and old cemetery, both in the middle of the downtown commercial district. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
More Santiago PRIME Pictures
Aug 1, 2005
These are from the Cerro Santa Lucia, which I wrote about with (hopefully) some minimal skill here. As usual, click to enlarge! Read on…
Santiago PRIME Pictures
Jul 30, 2005
As long promised, my pictures from PRIME. Presented without commentary, because I already provided a lot of that (which you can read here and here and here if you want). Read on…
Now That's a Leader
Jun 6, 2005
Sometimes, bosses say the stupidest things. Their mouths open and out come the worst cliches. But — even more incredible — that cliched phrase works. And then — poof — motivation! Caring! Inspiration! All the fruits of leadership! Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
PRIME: Eu Falo um Poco de Português
Jun 2, 2005
I’m very happy that I took the time to learn a little bit of Portuguese before traveling to Brazil. Having the ability to understand, and to communicate with, many of the people I met there really improved my trip. Of course, it also got me stuck riding in the front of cabs and talking to cabbies, so it wasn’t all upside. Read on…
PRIME: Chile vs. Brazil Deathmatch
May 31, 2005
We got to see two countries. Both were pretty cool! But which should I go back to (or, maybe, go back to first)? Let’s figure this out for once and for all with this one-on-one deathmatch between these two South American countries. Read on…
PRIME Brazil: Fort Copacabana
May 27, 2005
So there was this flu-like thing that was making its way slowly through the whole PRIME group; I got it two weeks ago. Fortunately it only lasted a day and a half (as compared to up to a week for other people), but, as soon as I felt better, I went out for churrascaria and several caipirhinas, and that was pushing it too hard; the flu turned into a stomach thing that laid me up for most of another day. So, today I took it easy, walking down Copacabana beach to the beautiful Fort Copacabana. Read on…
PRIME Brazil: The Sights of Rio
May 25, 2005
Vacation at last. After a week of PRIME activities, a day of travel, and, admittedly, a day by myself in São Paulo, it’s finally time to really get free and have fun! Read on…
PRIME Brazil: Samba!
May 25, 2005
With fortune on our side, some members of my little group in Rio made friends with some locals, and said locals invited us out for dinner and dancing at a Samba club. And I have discovered why Brazillians are so skinny: Samba! Read on…
PRIME Brazil: São Paulo -- Chicken Hearts, Being "That Guy", Pinacoteca, and Leaving São Paulo
May 23, 2005
I’ve been a bad blogger! But I’ve been a busy traveler. So here’s the update for the last three days of São Paulo, including one day of PRIME class; one day of walking around the city; and, of course, travelling to Rio de Janeiro, from whence I am posting. Read on…
PRIME Brazil: Leavin' 'Em Speechless
May 19, 2005
“I have no questions. I have nothing to add.” That’s what you want to hear from the CEO of a major cable TV company after you’ve presented to him, and that’s what my PRIME consulting team got from the president of Brazillian cable leader NET Serviços. Two days in Brazil, four fun and interesting site visits, some good food, and a funny tour guide — plus that positive response — how can you do better? Read on…
Santiago PRIME, Day 3
May 16, 2005
Today I made a mistake. We went to the Vinos Concha y Toro vineyard, and I thought we’d be there just for meetings and speeches; instead, we got a tour of the whole complex. And me not with my camera! So there will be no photos of Concha y Toro. Nor will there be — and I doubt you’ll be unhappy about this — any photos of the teams presenting to Bice Bank or Banco Santander Santiago. (Yes, we are here to give real actual consulting presentations!) Read on… (plus 2 Comments)
Santiago PRIME, Day 2
May 15, 2005
Santiago is very European town; it could pass for a French or Spanish city, with parts of historical beauty and parts of awful ’80s architecture and parts of deteriorating ’50s concrete buildings. The people are also very European, with only, apparently, the road workers and cooks showing much Indian ethnic background. This makes for a very different feel than most of Latin America — especially Mexico, to which I’m somewhat used — and it means that Santiago mostly lacks the “exotic” women I typically go for. Also, it’s not that I’m all that, but I’m kind of used to the Mexican women checking me out. In fact, I’ve been hit on even in front of the Wonderful Girlfriend. Maybe it’s the camera around my neck, or the little memo pad in which I take notes, or the not-in-style clothes, but the women in Santiago won’t even make eye contact. Apart from that, this town is a ton of fun. Read on…
Bienvenidos á PRIME Chile!
May 14, 2005
Welcome to day #1 of my PRIME trip. It’s 8:30pm and it’s almost time for dinner in Santiago, Chile. Read on…
The Other Key to Finals Success: Stop Sassing Back!
May 5, 2005
I have this attitude problem: if I don’t agree with what The Man is saying, I’ll express my opposition through homework and test-taking. That’s right, I’ll rebel by expressing my opinions in soundly-formulated, grammatical, written arguments. Watch out, I’m a wild man. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Wrist Fitness: The Key to Finals Success
May 4, 2005
Coming out of our Globl Strategy final on Monday, and then our Management of Organizations final today, my poor classmates were cradling their wrists and complaining of all of the pages and pages of answers they had to write out. But not me. No, I trained long and hard for tests just like this through two solid years of High School AP History. Read on…
Jack Welch Gives Straight Talk About Winning
Apr 26, 2005
In a much-touted event, former GE CEO Jack Welch spoke at the Marshall School today to pitch his new book, Winning, and, since I RSVPd for a ticket immediately I actually got to get into the event and look at the back of someone’s head while listening to Welch talk for two hours (Jason, you have exactly five gray hairs). Actually, it was a really incredible speech and I was very impressed by Jack Welch’s clear, straightforward style and his blunt (although non-offensive) honesty. A good role model for us all and a lot of great food for thought. I’ll probably turn into a corporate tool and buy Winning now to read what Jack Welch had to say in print. Read on…
Potty Mouth
Apr 24, 2005
While I have no particular memory of taking GSBA 547: Cursing for Managers this semester, I’ve either received some cutting-edge new subliminal training in how to drop f-bombs in class, or I’ve contracted Tourette’s Syndrome. Either way, I’m contributing to the moral turpitude of the Marshall School. (Note to entrepreneurs: turpitude.org is apparently not taken!) Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Feelin' the 6am
Apr 22, 2005
I will never publicly admit that I like having 8am classes four days in a row. But I am now officially a convert to the whole morning person things. A flurry of e-mails at 6:05am? Makes me feel hardcore. Read on…
What, Me Relax?
Apr 17, 2005
It’s day three of a three-day weekend. And have I chilled out any? Of course not. I spent a whole day on activities. I spent a whole day paying bills and taking care of un-attended-to tasks. I’m in the midst of spending a whole day trying to get a summer job. TiVo has about 30GB of stuff I’d love to watch but Dean Voigt has a lot more stuff I need to do. Yes, it’s clear, what I really need is an intern. Read on…
Going Once, Going Twice, Sold to the Trojan Who Bid 700 Points For That One Course
Apr 7, 2005
The way you get into electives here at Marshall is to bid on the courses you want. We get 1000 points, a list of the classes that will be offered in the fall, a prospective list of spring classes, and a list of the last 3-4 years of waitlists for classes, then we get to bid our points on the classes we want. The theory is, this procedure makes sure that people get into the classes they value the most; but that ignores all the things besides desire that go into a bid. Which made me ask: what, exactly, is it that bidding on classes measures? Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
ApplyYourself Hack: What Should Be Done?
Mar 10, 2005
If you applied to b-school, you probably had the fairly mediocre experience of using ApplyYourself, a service that allows you to apply, and track the status of your applications, in the most inefficient way possible. This year, some smart boys figured out how to get their admit decisions weeks early by exploiting a security hole in ApplyYourself. Harvard has decided to reject everyone it thinks took advantage of this hole. I’m not sure that’s right; there’s more nuance here than meets the eye. Read on…
I Can't Get No Satisficetion
Mar 8, 2005
My teammates this term are great, but one half of my team has a profound difference with the other half — hopefully, it shan’t be irreconcilable. See, half of my team is made of perfectionists; the other half, including me, is made of satisficers. Read on…
I Am In Charge Here!
Feb 21, 2005
I love my group this semester, but they’re very different from last semester’s group. In The Ocho, leadership was a sort of rotating affair — everybody was inclined to take leadership, at least some of the time, and if I didn’t want to be in charge I’d just wait and someone else would take the reins. But Group A-6 is different. There’s some evidence that I might actually be in charge here. Read on…
I Figueroaed It Out!
Feb 10, 2005
I park in this brand-new parking lot this semester. And I’ve been having some serious trouble finding my car there. I’ve been blaming my easily-confused memory; after all, it’s not easy to remember, at 5:30pm, where you parked at 7:45am. Was it the third floor? The fourth? The sixth? Some days it was easy. Some days I searched for my car for minutes on end. But today I figured it out.
First, a little background. Last semester, for the low low price of half of what I’d spend parking anywhere else within walking Read on…
You've Got Bad Bad Luck
Feb 1, 2005
Mike Ness notwithstanding, today started out great. I got up rested, motored right though a bunch of homework, and had a great workout. But then it started. Read on… (plus 4 Comments)
New Year, New Team
Jan 15, 2005
Sadly enough, I had to give up my beloved Ocho as the first term ended. Second term brings with it a new team, and I appear to have struck it lucky again. I’m fortunate to be grouped with five smart, hard-working people; and I’m fortunate because I needed to be in a team like that, as we got assigned a case right after getting assigned a team. Read on…
Down With The Curve!
Dec 10, 2004
This afternoon I took my Finance final. So this evening I’m doing that evil thing that everyone who’s ever had their grade set on a curve has done: hoping that my friends and colleagues did more poorly on their Finance exams than I did on mine. I like my classmates, or, at least, select ones. It’s not right that I hope for them to fail, but The Man makes me do it. It’s just the Program Office’s way of keeping us down.
The curve is a seductive, and deeply crappy, concept. By fitting all grades to a normal Read on…
If Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates, Then Business School Is Like A Portfolio Of Risky Securities
Nov 22, 2004
On one level, it’s a little disturbing that my high-effort, high-stress business school experience can be reduced to such a simple, clear, and exactly descriptive metaphor. On the other hand, it’s convenient, and we’re all about efficacy and efficiency at b-school. So, here it is. Businees school really is like a portfolio of risky securities!
In a major exception from my usual practice, I’m actually going to try and explain what it is that all this means. What, 2/3 of my readers are asking, is a portfolio Read on…
A Mentor? For Me?
Nov 18, 2004
The Marshall Career Development Office has a program in which, every year, they match a small number of students with volunteer alumni mentors. About a month ago, on somwhat of a lark, I applied.
It was a lark because I didn’t really think I’d get it. There are a ton of qualified, ultra-competitive people in my class, and I figured they’d be right on the ball; there are also a number of really bright career-switchers who could use a push in the right direction. Between those two groups, what kind of a chance does a middle-of-the Read on…
You Say Finance, I Say Finance
Nov 11, 2004
Finance scares the stuffing out of me. Not only is it hard and often non-intuitive, it’s also something I’d like to be good at. Budgeting, planning, starting and buying companies — all of these are applications of Finance. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I had any idea what I was doing in the class? I’ve got a midterm tomorrow and I haven’t a clue as to what grade I might get.
Now, there’s plenty of other liberal arts majors at Marshall, so that at least gives me hope that there’s a bunch of Read on…
It's The Students Who Make It Happen
Oct 28, 2004
Just time for a quick note about two really great experiences I’ve had in the past two days:
- GMA Marketing Wine & Cheese Roundtable Night
- Entrepreneur’s Happy Hour
GMA Marketing Wine & Cheese Roundtable Night
The student-organized Wine & Cheese Roundtable Night brought some great companies to Marshall, and gave us all the opportunity to speak one-on-one Read on…
Unexpected Value Added
Oct 20, 2004
Yesterday’s Leadership class was actually pretty good. Great, even. That’s a shocker — Posner really added some value!
I did benefit disproportionately from the class, it’s true, because I was up there for 30 minutes getting my presenting style critiqued. I actually learned a lot! I wish that I had been prepared in some way (one of the main complaints was that I read directly from my notes, which happened, of course, because I wasn’t prepared), but, Read on… (plus 2 Comments)
Leadership Training With The Marines At Camp Pendleton
Oct 16, 2004
Unlike other members of my family, I’ve never been particularly inclined to pursue a career in the military. That wasn’t enough to stop me, however, from a fun idea like traveling to the desert and running around to learn about one approach (the Marines’, obviously) to being a leader.
After Finals, on Read on… (plus 3 Comments)
And The Last Shall Be First
Oct 6, 2004
Isn’t it’s amazing how something truly bad can make the mediocre seem wonderful? Unfortunately, I’ve managed to run into the truly awful in my truly expensive business school education. Yes, incompetence is thou, Steve Posner.
For many a week my least favorite class was Microeconomics, taught by Rich Eastin. Eastin’s clearly a smart guy, and he communicates pretty well, but he was stuck delivering way too much information in way too Read on… (plus 7 Comments)
A Paean For SPSS
Sep 25, 2004
I’m old. Officially old. What is it that makes me old? Why, it’s my ability to reminisce, with a twinkle in my eye and a wistful tone, about the good old days when I wrote batch files to run statistical tests on SPSS, which, by the way, ran on the server, not some dinky desktop. Ahh yes, I miss firing up Kermit, telnetting into the server (bambi.pomona.edu, I think) running pico Read on… (plus 2 Comments)
Two Days Of Terror
Sep 22, 2004
Or two weeks, more like — last Monday’s Microeconomics midterm plus yesterday’s Accounting midterm and today’s Strategy final. If you’re keeping track at home, that’s two entire weekends of studying for classes that I’m not sure I really get, plus last night studying for a class that I thought I got real good but maybe I’m not so sure after that final.
Econ wasn’t that bad. I knew I didn’t understand most of what was going on so I kicked my ass studying in a really systematic Read on…
Marketing Institute
Sep 19, 2004
One of the best uses of my time this year was the Graduate Marketing Association’s Marketing Institute. I’ll admit, I was pretty skeptical at first; the GMA has a reputation for being very CPG-oriented, and I’ve publicly declaimed my tech marketing orientation. Read on…
Accounting Fraud 101
Sep 10, 2004
One of the most famous accounting frauds ever perpetrated in the US is the Salad Oil Caper, which, surprisingly enough, has nothing to do with small, green berries. The story behind the caper is this: back in the ’60s, an Italian American-owned firm in Chicago looked to the then-well respected accountancy of Arthur Andersen to value and underwrite bonds that would be issued, backed by the 1.8 billion pounds of salad oil posessed by this firm. The Andersen auditors dropped by the storage facilities to confirm that the firm did, in fact, Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Already Overcommitted
Sep 1, 2004
Some of my best memories from college come from times during which I was horribly overcomitted. Seeking to recapture these memories of my youth, I’m busy being way too busy at Marshall.
I’ve got, of course, the requisite 2 hours 40 minutes of class per day, with the requisite 2-3 hours of homework for each hour of class (I’ll do the math for you, this adds up to 7 hours of class + homework every day, at a minimum), mixers and lunches with fun people, time, of course, for my Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Bhambriffic! DeFondtastic!
Aug 27, 2004
I’ve only had one week of classes, but two professors already stand out as exceptional teachers. These are the guys who could teach me how to properly skin and dress skunks, and I’d like it, darn it!
One is my Strategy prof, Arvind Bhambri. Yes, the guy to whom I just turned in an exceptionally mediocre two-page paper on Airborne Express and the dynamics of the overnight delivery industry. Complete with unattractive diagrams.
So, Bhambri. Many people Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
I'm An Official Caffeine Addict
Aug 24, 2004
So at some point in time it seemed like a good idea to start drinking coffee to get going in the morning. This quickly progressed to a venti soy latte every day (following a quest to find a Starbucks that sells soy somewhere on campus). Hey, it wakes me up.
But not after today. Starting tomorrow, it’s a tall soy latte. And I’m going to make that up with more sleep. For real! Six hours is now my official minimum, not my target; if I don’t have an 8am class, it’s seven hours, non-negotiable, excepting complete disaster. Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
First Case Competition
Aug 21, 2004
Friday was our first case competition. First time we had to read about somebody’s business decision and develop an alternative and present that in front of a bunch of people. And you know what? The Ocho rocked! Have I mentioned I love my group lately?
What was best was our approach. Everybody was helpful, everybody was creative, everybody was goal-oriented, everybody was having fun. We made a plan, we executed it, we took breaks, we came together and reinforced each other, we showed faith in each other and finished before the deadline. Read on…
Go, Team! Yay, Team!
Aug 14, 2004
Both of the teams I’m in did pretty well in their first week! My core group, A, took second in the Teamwork at Marshall day (tied with B), we came in second in the mechanical bull ride (I did my best to help us out there — even my former Wonderful Girlfriend was impressed with my ride), and we got 50 extra points for having the most spirit.
My study group — perhaps the most important group in my first year — did great too. Not only did we do well in naming, etc, but, in our first exercise, we placed tied for second Read on…
Team 8: The Ocho
Aug 12, 2004
At Marshall, each class is divided into four core groups, each of which attends class together for the first year. Each core group is also divided into about a dozen study groups, each with five or six students in it, each study group working together in all non-elective classes for the first year. Membership in study groups is assigned, but each group is designed to have a balanced membership, with an accountant, a finance person, a marketer, a slacker, etc.
So yesterday we got assigned our core groups and study groups. I’m in Read on… (plus 2 Comments)
Orientation, Day 1
Aug 9, 2004
Today was the first day of Orientation at the Marshall School. I’m not sure that I have enough info at this time to really know how it will be, but signs are good. There was no period of more than two minutes during today’s free times that I wasn’t getting acquainted with my very friendly classmates; everybody was happy approaching me, and everybody was happy when I approached them. It was quite comfortable! And new Dean Yash Gupta seemed quite smart and visionary.
The brainwashing has begun. Updates to follow.
Read on… (plus 2 Comments)My My My My TI-34
Jul 27, 2004
Since I’m taking remedial math, I figured I should bring a calculator to class; so I dug out my trusty old TI-34. My TI-34 has been by my side since at least 1992, and probably 1991 (sadly, I didn’t keep my receipts back then). Probably because it has almost no moving parts, it’s plugging away today, giving me the right numbers assuming, of course, that I put the right numbers in, which is a rare enough occasion.
I hadn’t touched my Read on… (plus 1 Comments)
Remedial Math
Jul 26, 2004
Insofar as I haven’t used my post-algebra math in seven (stats) to ten (calculus) years, I scored poorly on Marshall’s pre-entry math assessment test. My sentence: three half-day refresher classes.
These are my first classes of any type since 1997. Class, may I say, is weird. Where else does everybody sit in a semicircle around a room while one person at the front holds forth, making notes on whiteboards and projecting PowerPoints? AA, maybe, but I wouldn’t know anything about that.
So, Read on…
One More Thing...
Jun 2, 2004
There’s one more thing I wouldn’t do: apply to business school online. I’m a nerd, I’ve liked computers more than (most) people since 1982 or so, and I can say with conviction that the simple act of applying online may have as much as doubled the hassle of filling out b-school apps.
Read on…If I Had It To Do Over
May 31, 2004
In the end, I got into one top-20 school, waitlisted at two others, and shot down by a fourth and a top-five school. Not a bad outcome, especially given that I did the whole thing at the last minute. Would I do it all the same again? Mostly.
Read on…Response: Rejected by UCLA
May 5, 2004
Somewhat belatedly, the Anderson School has responded in the negative to my application. Of course, now that they won’t have me, I have more interest in getting in! But still not nearly enough to change my mind about Marshall, given the option. Although there are moments when I think I might take an offer from Stern, if it came.
Read on…Finis
May 4, 2004
So I thought about it for a while. I know I’d enjoy NYU. But I’ve got the offer from USC, and I know I’d enjoy USC a lot. And I’m happy in my friendships and my relationships and even happy with my little home here in LA. So I sent in my acceptance of USC’s offer of admissions today. So that’s it. I’m in! We’ll see how it goes in the fall. And I am excited!
Read on… (plus 1 Comments)USC Admit Weekend
Apr 24, 2004
Admit weekend: a chance to get to know a school or an emotional roller coaster? Find out in today’s episode!
Read on…Response: Waitlisted by NYU
Apr 23, 2004
I’ve been waitlisted by NYU as well. I’m going to hit the e-mail hard and maybe see if I can’t get an extra recommendation sent there and turn this into an admit. I would very seriously consider such an offer.
Read on…Decision: No UNC
Apr 22, 2004
After some obsessing, I’ve decided not to fly to Raleigh-Durham and try to get off the Kenan-Flagler waitlist. It’s really because of my visit to NYU that I’m doing this.
Read on…Response: Rejected by Stanford
Apr 14, 2004
I have learned that I did not get into Stanford. This is really not much of a surprise, as the school was a big reach — my GMATs and GPAs were both below their median — and not the focus of my applications activities. I’m happy with the opportunity I have at USC and hope to also hear I got into NYU (although then I’ll have to — gasp — make a choice).
Read on…Being The Entry In Regards To The NYU Visit
Apr 9, 2004
The Stern school at NYU invited me to interview. How could I possibly pass up a chance to visit the Big Apple and catch the tail end of winter? Plus, the phone interview was right out. So, last weekend, I flew clear across the country and girded myself to face New York.
Read on… (plus 1 Comments)Response: Admitted To USC
Mar 29, 2004
I returned home to a big box on the doorstep, return address the Marshall School. Rejection comes in small envelopes, so I suspected the best; my suspicions were borne out. I’m in to USC. I need to tell them by May 1, so we’ll see what kind of schedule Stern and Kenan-Flagler can move on.
Read on…Response: Waitlisted at Kenan-Flagler
Mar 16, 2004
I got my first response last night; UNC Kenan-Flagler has waitlisted me. I’m actually kind of enheartened, as I didn’t think I did so well on the phone interview. In my interview at USC the interviewer suggested keeping in touch after being waitlisted; I’ll make sure to do that. We’ll see how the other schools turn out as well.
Read on…More Interviews: USC & NYU
Mar 13, 2004
I interviewed at USC on Wednesday. I’ve thought the experience over several since then, and I feel the same every time: I think the interview went well and that the interviewer helped make me more excited about the school.
And getting an e-mail the very next day from NYU asking me to interview didn’t hurt my sunshiney attitude at all.
Read on…First Interview
Mar 2, 2004
I had my phone interview with Kenan-Flagler today. There were ups, and there were downs, and the person who interviewed me was skilled at her job. It went ok — not great, but ok. All in all, I’d never recommend that anybody else choose a phone interview over any other alternative.
Read on…Phone Interview
Feb 26, 2004
I’ve rescheduled my Kenan-Flagler interview. I’m pretty sure I did the right thing canceling due to my sickness — I just don’t think there was any way I could have impressed the interviewer. I’m not sure that I did the right thing in rescheduling a phone, rather than in person, interview.
Read on…Done!
Jan 31, 2004
I’m done! On Thursday, my last application was due (and, yes, I did get it in on time). For the first time since the middle of September, I’m free!
Read on…One Essay Or Many?
Jan 20, 2004
Many a business school applicant has been tempted to re-use one school’s essay in an application to another school. I know I sure was. I had to decide: would I?
Read on…Essays Everyday
Jan 17, 2004
So, no new posts for a while. There’s one simple reason for that — essay after essay. Two for Stanford, three for Marshall, three for Stern, five for Kenan-Flagler. On top of that, Additional Statements, various permutations of resumes and work descriptions, and lists of various accomplishments. That’s a lot of writing!
Read on…Transcript = Business Model
Dec 26, 2003
For some reason, business schools seem to actually want proof that I’ve gained academic success in the past, so I’ve ordered transcripts from all two of the colleges I’ve attended. The transcripts tell a lot about me, but they also tell a lot about the schools.
Read on…Resume That Resumé
Dec 21, 2003
Nobody ever told me that, when I grew up, I’d have to be continually revising my resumé. New jobs, new areas of concentration, and now business school — everybody wants my resumé. And the perpetual topic of conversation and fear of every job-seeker — is my resumé up to snuff? Is it good enough? Does it head straight for the circular file or for the hiring manager’s desk? And, gosh, now I have to figure out how to market myself to business school applications committees.
Read on…Oh Those Recommendations
Dec 13, 2003
Applying to business school is, apparently, hard work! All of my free time this week has disappeared into recommendations, transcript requests, and the various administrativa of assembling my applications. Recommendations have a particular focus, not only because they form such a key part of my application but also because I want to give my recommenders enough time to write.
Read on…Making A List, Checking It Twice
Dec 7, 2003
Business school applications have a lot of pieces, and I sure don’t want to miss any of them. So I decided to get organized. Getting organized is a wonderful thing: either you get your act together, have everything in the right place and are ready to forge ahead, or you create a great deal of the old sturm und drang and can at least tell yourself you’ve been working.
Read on…UCLA, On The Eve Of The Big Game
Nov 21, 2003
I visited UCLA two days before the big game with USC, which was not intentional but was entertaining. Living in LA, I’m already steeped in the lore of the rivalry, so it wasn’t a surprise to see everyone worked up over the competition, but I’d never been on campus right beforehand. There’s nothing like an information session, especially when you can hear the mellifluous tones of the marching band playing “Sons of Westwood” and “Mighty Bruins” only a half mile away.
Read on…USC: A Lesson In Marketing, Apparently
Oct 22, 2003
The first of my school visits was today; I started out with a local option, USC. As I was already passingly familiar with the campus, and had taken some time to become fairly knowledgeable about the program, this seemed like a comfortable place to begin. Of course, it helped that I was very interested in the school and excited to attend a class and meet students at what was becoming, based on my research, one of my top choices.
Read on…GMAT, Episode The Last: Taking The Darned Thing
Oct 15, 2003
The quest is at its end. The odyssey is over. I’ve taken the GMAT, and it was, well, not so bad.
Read on…GMAT, Episode 6: Practice Makes Perfect
Oct 12, 2003
The last major step in preparing for the GMAT on Wednesday was taking a practice test today. Did all of the studying have a payoff? This evening, I found out.
Read on…MBA Blogs Out There
Oct 11, 2003
One of my friends is applying to law school, and to help this friend learn more about law school I tracked down several law school blogs. Reading these blogs piqued my interest in law school — why not, I asked myself, find good blogs that I can regularly read to better understand the b-school experience?
Read on… (plus 2 Comments)GMAT, Episode 5: Last Chance For A Slow Dance
Oct 10, 2003
My GMAT is next Wednesday. I’ve practiced every night for the last two weeks, and am much better prepared. I’ve a good idea of what kind of content is needed in the essays (typing complete answers on a computer in 30 minutes won’t pose a problem — I used to write 800-word movie reviews for my college newspaper in less than 45 minutes). I’m making fewer errors in the math section and I feel I can really get my score up.
Read on…To Info Session Or Not To Info Session
Oct 6, 2003
Tomorrow evening, I’m scheduled for an info session for one of the schools I’d like to attend. This info session is quite some distance away, down in Orange County. The question: to go or not?
Read on…GMAT, Episode 4: It All Evens Out In The End
Oct 4, 2003
After a week and a half of pretty intensive review, I’ve managed to get my math scores up quite a bit. I’m making fewer mistakes and I’m more often choosing quick approaches to get problems solved in the least time possible.
Read on…Visiting Hours
Oct 1, 2003
Since the beginning of this process I’ve felt like I was behind. Most of the folks I know who have decided to go to business school were learning about getting their MBA for a year or more before their applications became due; I only decided to embark upon this journey two months ago.
Read on…GMAT, Episode 3: Movin' On Up
Sep 30, 2003
After a solid week of practice, I’ve moved from getting the medium-level questions on my practice GMAT to getting hard questions. This is good, because the harder the questions you get (at least on the computer-adaptive test), the higher the score you’re eligible to get.
Read on…GMAT, Episode 2: Attack Of The Math Creatures
Sep 25, 2003
When I was preparing to take the SAT, one of the most important things I learned from my Princeton Review prep book was how to spot the trick questions and answers in that test. My Princeton Review GMAT prep book is doing the same thing, and I think it will be very helpful. With many of the wrong answers in the test designed to look “right”, it’s important to know how to spot these answers and stay away from them.
Read on…GMAT, Episode 1: The Early Years
Sep 24, 2003
For many years, I imagined that my next test would be the GRE, either in Poli Sci or Psychology, depending on whether I wanted to be a spook for the CIA or an industrial psychologist modeling workplace behavior. Well, it turns out I’m taking the GMAT instead.
Read on…Catch-Up Time
Sep 23, 2003
After leaving my Web design firm, I took a few months to really think about what I wanted to do next. Going to business school quite has filtered itself to the top of my list, and I’m very excited about the prospect. But the fact is, I’m behind.
Read on…