IIMA result

When I'm scared something usually goes wrong. And there it is... I did not get through for IIM A interviews. I still can't believe this. I knew it was tough, I knew I would have trouble with essays and interview but I never expected not to even get the interview call. After all the encouragement I had I am yet to find reasons to not get through. Big setback to my application process.
All this while I've been thinking about IMD and whether I have any chances there and its IIM which didn't work out for me. One of the students I interacted with said that if I don't get interview call, I would've made a serious mistake in my application. May be that's what it was... next step is to take another look at my application. Can't afford to make any mistakes again.
This also makes me wonder if its my grad n post grad marks that are effecting, I did awefully bad in my graduation.
Either way, this is a bad hit.

IMD Student blogs

I've been obsessing over IMD and IIMA results. IMD is somehow more daunting. In case of IIMA, I've at least seen the place met with faculty. I've seen it in flesh and blood. Very anxious about IMD result and its the first to come out. I'm sure anxiety levels will cross the clouds as I write more applications and wait for more results.
I've been reading IMD student blogs, very interesting insights to life in and after IMD. Some links if anyone else is interested -

http://blogs.imd.ch/mba/default.aspx
http://stoneyanggao.blogspot.com/
http://bryanguidohassin.blogspot.com/

Do I want this life, hell yea! And what happens when my anxiety levels rise... I look for guidance in tarot and astrology and self assurance. My self esteem and morale keeps dropping everyday. I expect so much out of me, meeting my own expectations is much harder than coming through other's expectations of me.

ISB Application

I've almost completed the ISB application - essays are in review, recos are done. However, I have a strong feeling I should opt for round 2 on this one. There are some logical reasons and I always trust my instincts.
The logical reasons are two. First, I read in one of the forums that the Admission director of ISB encouraged re applicants to apply in round 2. Second, applying in round 2 will give me more time to take my decision on ISB. Third and minor one is that I get more time to work on my essays.
To be honest ISB is not my top choice for several reasons. It however is a something I'd be happy to go to and will look forward to getting through.
My story of ISB reapplication is that 2 years back I applied for ISB in round 2. I could not complete my essays properly till the second round date hence submitted not so good essays. Also, my GMAT was very low for ISB. I never asked for feedback as it was embarassing even to ask when I kinda knew what the answer would be.
I have another day to take my decision. Today I'm looking at the other school websites to see what are the next dates I need to hit. Its such a tedious process and the wait for results feels never ending.
I wish the results would come out sooner and I also know when I get the admission there is another long path to walk. The journey is never ending, different people enjoy different parts of it.

Talk with IMD Student

After a few weeks of going back and forth trying to find some time, I finally was able to speak with one of the IMD current students. We started formally but the conversation turned out to be a friendly one. I did not have specific questions but wanted to find out more on what is on the site.
The year starts with establishing fundamental business skills for first six months along with start up project for an entrepreneur. Next comes the Discovery Expedition which is to explore small size industry and make recommendations. The student I spoke with said he enjoyed the discovery expedition a lot, they had spent time in South Africa and it was a fantastic experience. There are things I wanted to but did not ask about, left them for later as I had already taken half hour of his time. Things like scholarship, interview process etc. We briefly spoke about my profile and he thought it was good but I am very nervous. Firstly I want this school badly, secondly I know I have an average profile, thirdly I have never lived abroad and the biggest of all is that I'm an Indian and their are way too many Indians who have lived abroad applying for IMD. I do plan to contact some Indians at IMD and talk to them. May be I'll feel better.
Right now I'm nervous and have ISB deadline coming next. Why do schools take such a long time to respond whether we're through or not!!

IIMA Application

This was probably the most straightforward application to fill out. Very objective, but it requires a lot of thought process.
I took all the time I needed to fill this application. I realised there were things I missed in my IMD app, thankfully minor and would not have made much difference if I had mentioned them. I feel better about IIMA app, I took time to fill it, did not have to worry about references, looked through all my certificates etc to mention them. There is only one thing I'm so confused about. I mentioned all the international work exp for IIMA. The reason I mentioned every little one was because they had an option to select vacations. I've had weekend transit timeouts at Singapore and Dubai which I have mentioned. Hoping that does not go against me, I now feel I should've asked someone whether to write that or not. What is done is done, waiting for the result.
I haven't written this international work ex for IMD, and am worried if that would go against me.

Next application is ISB, end of August.

First application - IMD

My first application happens to be IMD, I wished it otherwise as everyone says that the first app is usually not the best work. It was exhausting working on the essays. 11 essays with only 1230 char limit was not easy. I always thought it was more difficult to write longer essays and I was proven wrong. The worse thing was that I had to finish it in 10 days. With deadline of 1st August and my GMAT done only on 14th July I thought I should apply for the last round - 1st Sept. I mailed IMD adcom and they encouraged me to apply for 1st aug. Not many docs needed so I sent the docs before submitting the app. The pain was that I was traveling from 29th july onwards which worked well in a way that I had a friend who helped edit my essays. We started working saturday afternoon and with some breaks went until 5 in the morning. We still had one essay to go. Since I was meeting this group of friends after long, we wanted to go out. Without sleep we drove down to this place about 2 hours away and got back only by 2 in the afternoon. With no energy it was not possible for anyone to think. I knew what I wanted to write in the remaining essay but it was only one shot, did not have time for revisions. I reached airport at 5 in the eve on sunday, 1st august with only an hour of sleep. My brains were working and eyes open, picked some coffee and got working on the essay. It didn't take me long because I knew what I wanted to write and had the points laid out.
I reached home all tired and the worst thing happened. My internet wouldn't work, nothing fixed it. So 11 in the night I took out my switched phones, installed software to connect internet on the comp using my phone. The speed was bad and it took me what felt like ages to get the essays saved. There was barely any revision time and my eyes refused to stay open so I gave up after a point and submitted.
I don't think they were bad, the ideas were good but I might have messed some language at places. I know people would call me stupid to have stayed up and go for drive when I had an app to complete and that too for the b school thats on top of my list. I know the app could be better but I don't want to take another look at it to see how good or bad it was. If I get interview call I'll look at it again. I hope I do get a call.
Its tough, never lived outside India, 4th round applicant, Indian, and not the best app I could've done. I have my pluses too, hope they get noticed. Got my fingers crossed.

Next is IIMA PGPX. Deadline is 10th August but its more objective an app, this wkend!

IIMA part deux

It just took me time to make myself sit down to write this. My next day at IIMA was super hectic. I took some extra time for the first break of the day to talk to the PGPX office. They are so obliging and pleasant. I sat with Mr. Bose for half hour to ask questions about the course, placements etc. He asked me my profile and encouraged me to apply. I requested him to send me contact information for some current student to connect with while I was in premises. He responded promptly with a follow up email with all the details I needed. I mailed the students and got some quick responses from them too.
I took some extra time for the evening break to meet a student. He was very patient in answering my questions, I asked him my chances to which he asked me questions and said I had a good profile.
At the end of the day we were given another case study to work on which went on till late night with a quick dinner break and trip to library. I finished the slides by 3 in the morning. In between I met with another student for a casual conversation over coffee.
The conversation was on various topics. First off I felt no one even thinks of placements as a factor to think about. The course by itself is exhaustive, it is most of the content from PGP plus more as defined by one of the students.
The interview selection process is very objective, the application form by itself says so. Focus is diversity. It sounded like GMAT and career progression are very important. I was told that in a class of 86, there are 70 diverse profiles. Learning methodology is case study based. Students are divided into groups at the beginning of the year and they continue in the same groups all through. There are clubs and activities for those interested but didn't sound like manyPGPX students did much beyond class assignments and exploring their entreprenueral aspirations. Students usually begin their day at 8 in the morning and a normal day ends at 3 am sometimes extending to as late as 5 am. The focus is general management and there is very little scope to get in depth of a particular area, it can be done by choosing electives carefully.
My overall trip was fruitful with lots of information, an awesome learning program and inspiration to apply to PGPX.