Hello all! So I had this big plan to document my trip up to school given the amount of work that it took to get here, but in all honesty...I'm EXHAUSTED!
So yes I've finally made it too school and I've decided that I am not going to blog that often any more about my experience IN business school. There will just be too much to talk about. I've been here in Ithaca since last tuesday and have met the most incredible people already. There has been a lot of drinking going on and with that comes a lot of bonding! We're basically the early birds in Ithaca right now and for the next week or so it will probably remain as such.
I still have plans to write my "thank you" blog to everyone who helped me along this journey, but I've decided to hold off until the first actual day of classes. Sure, right now I'm laying in my bed and have to wake up in the morning to go over to the health center and then buy my financial calculator and finish MBA Math before Math Camp which starts on tuesday and make yet another trip to Walmart (I know that was an incorrect sentence), but I just feel that I can officially close this chapter of my blog on the first day of classes.
Some things I've learned from my classmates thus far are:
1. I've learned that I can help someone saw a couch in half for the purpose of getting it into the house and then run to the department store to buy the materials to put it back together.
2. I've learned that in some countries it's custom to pay for drinks on your birthday for your friends.
3. I've learned that in other countries stores do not have return policies after you've opened something.
4. I've learned that in Ithaca it will rain for 15 minutes and then be completely sunny.
5. I've learned that I need to get accustomed to bars ceasing to serve alcohol at 12:59am, and then making you finish the liquor by 1:30am, and then close at 2:00.
6. As a result of #5 I've learned that I should always have a refrigerator stocked with alcohol for the afterparty.
7. I've learned that helping people move in to their apts is a good way to get people to pay for your drinks.
8. I've learned that a great percentage of my classmates and I are Go Getters.
...and I've learned that right now I'm so tired that I'm falling asleep so I must be going.
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Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Moving Day TODAY!
Well folks! The day has arrived!!! Technically, I am moving to business school TODAY! As I typed that last sentence I realize that I have been waiting to utter those words many times. I also realize that I've SAID that I've been waiting to say something many times. While each time the statement has been true, THIS one is of the utmost importance.
I'm REALLY leaving for business school in less than 7 hours. I'm actually awake right now because I just got back from the bar...muahahahah. My best friend from High School took me out for drinks since I won't see him until after the Core is over and done with. I've had a great last couple of weeks with saying goodbye to friends. It was uber important for me to do this because I guess the older I get the more and more I cherish my friendships. It's amazing to have people in your court who unselfishly want to see you succeed. I hope that everyone has the type of support network that I do. If not...find new friends.
So anyway enough of the sap. Am I fully packed? Nope not at all. Should I have gone out to the bar for a couple of cocktails? Probably not. Do I need to be awake in 5 hours to complete my packing? Of course. Am I concerned about it? Nope... not at all.... tomorrow is MY day haha. I'm riding up to Cornell with my mother and my father. My dad is coming to pick us up around 6:45 which means we'll probably get on the road at 8. If this happens, and there's not too much traffic, we should be pulling in to campus around 1pm. I want to make sure that we do get an early start because my parents want to see the campus and the business school. Yes, it's very much like undergrad for me where I take my parents around campus. But you know what... I'm not embarrassed at all. Without them it would not be possible so there's no shame in my game.
My iPad is charging... Phone is Charging... he has a navigation system, so hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep at some point in the journey. I feel for my international classmates because I realize that not everyone has this type of Army behind him/her arriving on campus. I have a couple classmates who are arriving shortly who are coming in with simply two suitcases. I'm sure their other stuff is on it's way but for some that's not the case. It's not that I feel bad for them per se but it's just a different thing ya know?
Then the plan for after I show them around campus is to hit up the supermarket. After living home for a couple of months since the city, I've forgotten that sure I'm going to need to buy cleaning supplies, light bulbs, food... etc etc all that stuff that I've taken for granted these last six months.
Then after the school tour and the minor shopping excursion, I plan to link up with my classmates and begin to "have fun'. "Have fun" is code for.... "Bar Crawl." Then on Wednesday I'll continue with MBA Math. (oh yes that is still looming and MUST be done before Math Camp starts on August 2nd).
I must be going to sleep now, but I wanted to let you all know that tomorrow I plan to write a blog post with the cost of getting to business school. This is something that I have not been able to find elsewhere and a lot of people do not really give insight in to. But applying, getting in, and arriving on a business school campus is NO CHEAP FEAT! It's actually ludicrous, but there's an opportunity cost for everything right? So it's a neccessary evil.
OH and sidenote for those who are interested - yes in addition to Math Camp, I have already received another assignment. I must read two case studies by August 4th. It won't be difficult but yes... even though classes haven't started, for some of us the work starts NOW!
I will send an update when I get on campus in 12 hours! Holy Crap - 12 HOURS!
I'm REALLY leaving for business school in less than 7 hours. I'm actually awake right now because I just got back from the bar...muahahahah. My best friend from High School took me out for drinks since I won't see him until after the Core is over and done with. I've had a great last couple of weeks with saying goodbye to friends. It was uber important for me to do this because I guess the older I get the more and more I cherish my friendships. It's amazing to have people in your court who unselfishly want to see you succeed. I hope that everyone has the type of support network that I do. If not...find new friends.
So anyway enough of the sap. Am I fully packed? Nope not at all. Should I have gone out to the bar for a couple of cocktails? Probably not. Do I need to be awake in 5 hours to complete my packing? Of course. Am I concerned about it? Nope... not at all.... tomorrow is MY day haha. I'm riding up to Cornell with my mother and my father. My dad is coming to pick us up around 6:45 which means we'll probably get on the road at 8. If this happens, and there's not too much traffic, we should be pulling in to campus around 1pm. I want to make sure that we do get an early start because my parents want to see the campus and the business school. Yes, it's very much like undergrad for me where I take my parents around campus. But you know what... I'm not embarrassed at all. Without them it would not be possible so there's no shame in my game.
My iPad is charging... Phone is Charging... he has a navigation system, so hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep at some point in the journey. I feel for my international classmates because I realize that not everyone has this type of Army behind him/her arriving on campus. I have a couple classmates who are arriving shortly who are coming in with simply two suitcases. I'm sure their other stuff is on it's way but for some that's not the case. It's not that I feel bad for them per se but it's just a different thing ya know?
Then the plan for after I show them around campus is to hit up the supermarket. After living home for a couple of months since the city, I've forgotten that sure I'm going to need to buy cleaning supplies, light bulbs, food... etc etc all that stuff that I've taken for granted these last six months.
Then after the school tour and the minor shopping excursion, I plan to link up with my classmates and begin to "have fun'. "Have fun" is code for.... "Bar Crawl." Then on Wednesday I'll continue with MBA Math. (oh yes that is still looming and MUST be done before Math Camp starts on August 2nd).
I must be going to sleep now, but I wanted to let you all know that tomorrow I plan to write a blog post with the cost of getting to business school. This is something that I have not been able to find elsewhere and a lot of people do not really give insight in to. But applying, getting in, and arriving on a business school campus is NO CHEAP FEAT! It's actually ludicrous, but there's an opportunity cost for everything right? So it's a neccessary evil.
OH and sidenote for those who are interested - yes in addition to Math Camp, I have already received another assignment. I must read two case studies by August 4th. It won't be difficult but yes... even though classes haven't started, for some of us the work starts NOW!
I will send an update when I get on campus in 12 hours! Holy Crap - 12 HOURS!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Good-Bye Dinner
Helloooo everyone! So I know you’re all anxiously waiting to know how last night went. Well my dinner was friends was perfect. It turned out exactly the way I envisioned it. (I guess that’s why I initially said that it was perfect….) As I said in my last post, we went to Agave down in the Village. Halfway through appetizers I told my friends that they were to think of a funny story about me and tell it to the table. It was good to rehash old stories as I go on to create new ones with a new group of friends. Then I also gave a “speech.” I started talking when I felt that I would be able to keep it together, but to no avail I was not able too. I just wanted to tell them how much they meant to me in general and especially throughout the application process which was the toughest time of my life. I would not have been able to get through it without their help and support so I wanted them to know that.
Now the next order of business is drinks with my ex-coworkers tonight, couple bschool friends, and my GMAT tutor. That should be a fun time! Then It’s back home to pack for my trip to Michigan. I’m very much so looking forward to that as it’s going to consist of a lot of beverage consumption. This will be my “vacation” this year. Since I’m in no position to travel the world like some of my classmates are, this little getaway will hit the bank account slightly (it better be slight JSAB), but is a much needed getaway.
Now here is where the MBA stuff comes back in to play. So remember how I was nominated to be in MLT back in….I think May? If not… go here (http://money9111.blogspot.com/2011/05/nominated-for-mlt.html) Well, I have an MLT assignment that I have to complete by the 25th (Monday). That means I have to do it while I’m in Michigan because I will be packing all day on the 25th and then going out to dinner with my parents.
Tuesday is the big moving day! I actually need to find out from my father if we can take his truck up there. That way I don’t have to pay $X to rent a U-Haul. I would not enjoy driving a U-Haul for five hours – or maybe I would! But it is another $300 that would have to come out of my pocket and I would rather buy my books with that $300. (There will be a post on the day that I move in with how much money I’ve spent going through this process) It’s uber important that people know what they are getting in to.
Hmm what else… Oh so I got my lease agreement today – FINALLY! Just gotta sign that thing and bring it with me on Tuesday. I’ll be renting furniture with my roommate so thankfully we don’t have to worry about beds and couches and all that nonsense. Just essentially have to bring my clothes…some linens...all my Cornell swag that I’ve received and ordered ;-) Then once I move in I have to make sure that I get through all of the MBA Math material to prepare for Math Camp which starts on the 2nd of August. I’ll make a separate post for folks with the agenda for Math Camp. I kind of had a little heart attack when I saw the agenda. But it should be a good time because a lot of my classmates will be in attendance. That means that some of them will be there when I get there on Tuesday. You know what THAT means don’t you?!? I do lol….
Until next time folks!
Over and Out - RBB
Over and Out - RBB
Monday, July 18, 2011
2.5 Days of Work Left
I'm almost FUNemployed! So this chapter of my life is finally coming to a close. I've had my last weekend in NYC. On Friday night I went out to my friend's going away party. She's going to Duke, well technically she's there already. Math camp started today for her. If you're wondering who I'm referring too, it's my friend that I was talking to when I got the call from Cornell. She's been through every step of this process with me so it was nice to be able to send her off with a bang.
Then on Saturday night I had my party in conjunction with friends from Stanford, Wharton, Tuck, and Kellogg. We sponsored a party in Brooklyn at a friends house and had over 115 friends in attendance! I had an incredible time and met some great new people as well. When I was saying my goodbyes to them it was no longer, "Oh I'll see you next week... or I'll see you at dinner." This time it was "Oh have fun at school...I'll see you at National Black or the Reaching Out Conference." Kind of bitter sweet but this is what we've all wanted.
Tomorrow is my 3rd to last day at work! I'm counting down the hours not because I don't enjoy what I do, but because it's time for me to move on to something new. Plus I feel left out because I would say 90% of my friends who are going to b-school have quit their jobs already. I'm definitely a late bloomer in that regard. Also, tomorrow is my going away party with my closest friends.
We're going to Agave in NYC. Initially I wanted to go to a fancy place that I've always wanted to go to but then I thought about it and realized that I want my last dinner in NYC to be a good one with great food. So although I've been to Agave before, I don't mind going back. The atmosphere is very intimate so I'm looking forward to being able to talk with my friends and be able to tell them how much they mean to me. It's important that I do this because they need to know how much they've helped me get to this point through their continuous support. I remember at one point during the GMAT debacle I told them not to call me on a Friday/Saturday night because I did not want to be tempted to go out and party. They also allowed me to miss a lot of important events without being upset with me. So yes, I'm glad that they will be in attendance tomorrow night. I'll take a picture with them so that you can see who is on Team Richard!
Wednesday night I'm going out to dinner and drinks with some ex-coworkers, one of whom is one of my recommenders. So that will definitely be bitter sweet.
On Thursday I'm flying out to Michigan to hang with my peep. Then I get back to Jersey on Sunday and have to pack up my life Sunday and Monday. On Monday night I'm going out to dinner with the parental units, then I'm off to Ithaca on Tuesday!
Later in the week after I get all of these dinners out of the way, I'll go back to writing about business school stuff. I mean I just got my lease in the mail today... I've signed all my master promissory notes... I need to go shopping and stuff... that's all very exciting but I just need to tie up some loose ends first.
Friday, July 8, 2011
It Finally Hit Me
So as I was sending out the Facebook invite for my going away dinner, it FINALLY hit me that I'm going to be leaving my friends in three weeks. It's very much bitter sweet I tell ya. I think my friends are more prepared for my departure than I am. I remember when I went to my friends party last week she started crying. So when we were talking outside she was going on and on about her friends and how she didn't want to leave them because they meant so much to her and they also didn't want her to leave. I definitely understood where she was coming from because it's not that she made a bad choice in going away to school vs. staying here in the city, but yes throughout the application process your friends do mean a lot, even if you don't get to see them very often because you're always studying or away visiting schools, etc.
It may seem cheesy but it is what it is. I said to her "You're feeling this way because these people have allowed you to basically "forget" about them for a year and a half while you went through the application process and met new people, yet they supported you throughout.
So while I was sending out the invites to my "Bye Bye Battle-Baxter Dinner" last night, I got THAT feeling. No I did not cry but I did get a little sad. So my going away dinner is in two weeks and I need to find a location. I'm debating between two places. One is me and the other is REALLY me but I don't want to do that one that is REALLY me on a weeknight because it will get out of hand. I'll figure it out.
In addition to my going away party with my friends, I have a whole host of other events to attend before I move up to school. Tomorrow I have a bday/going away party for a classmate. Next week I'm probably going out for drinks with my coworkers. Then next Saturday I'm having my going away BASH! A couple friends of mine who are also going to b-school decided to throw a big going away party.
Here is the tagline from part of the invite: "We're sending a few future MBAs off with a bang!! Join Cornell, Kellogg, Stanford, Tuck and Wharton students and few honorary friends for the BBQ/Party of the SUMMER!!!"
We're going to have a DJ and of course food and alcohol so it's going to basically be pandemonium (in a good way of course).
Then one night I have to have dinner with my Mother and Father. This is very much so a rare occurrence and LONG overdue. Yes I live with my mother (because I moved back home a couple months ago), but I rarely see her. And then my Father lives about 45 minutes away and I see him quite infrequently, so this will be an event. But a much needed one since I'll most likely be MIA for two years.
From July 21st - 24 I'll be visiting one of my very good friends in Michigan. He goes to Ross and is doing his internship but it'll be good for me to nurture our friendship because I can already tell we'll be lifelong friends! Hey JSab! also we've never really been able to drink together so this should be very interesting haha we're very similar in that regard.
On July 26th, I will be moving in to my new apartment in Ithaca, NY! Woop Woop! Then I'll have a busy week of helping my classmates move in to their apartments haha. That's quite alright, I welcome the activity! We won't have anything to do until August 2nd when Math Camp starts - so there will be a lot of bonding going on.
It may seem cheesy but it is what it is. I said to her "You're feeling this way because these people have allowed you to basically "forget" about them for a year and a half while you went through the application process and met new people, yet they supported you throughout.
So while I was sending out the invites to my "Bye Bye Battle-Baxter Dinner" last night, I got THAT feeling. No I did not cry but I did get a little sad. So my going away dinner is in two weeks and I need to find a location. I'm debating between two places. One is me and the other is REALLY me but I don't want to do that one that is REALLY me on a weeknight because it will get out of hand. I'll figure it out.
In addition to my going away party with my friends, I have a whole host of other events to attend before I move up to school. Tomorrow I have a bday/going away party for a classmate. Next week I'm probably going out for drinks with my coworkers. Then next Saturday I'm having my going away BASH! A couple friends of mine who are also going to b-school decided to throw a big going away party.
Here is the tagline from part of the invite: "We're sending a few future MBAs off with a bang!! Join Cornell, Kellogg, Stanford, Tuck and Wharton students and few honorary friends for the BBQ/Party of the SUMMER!!!"
We're going to have a DJ and of course food and alcohol so it's going to basically be pandemonium (in a good way of course).
Then one night I have to have dinner with my Mother and Father. This is very much so a rare occurrence and LONG overdue. Yes I live with my mother (because I moved back home a couple months ago), but I rarely see her. And then my Father lives about 45 minutes away and I see him quite infrequently, so this will be an event. But a much needed one since I'll most likely be MIA for two years.
From July 21st - 24 I'll be visiting one of my very good friends in Michigan. He goes to Ross and is doing his internship but it'll be good for me to nurture our friendship because I can already tell we'll be lifelong friends! Hey JSab! also we've never really been able to drink together so this should be very interesting haha we're very similar in that regard.
On July 26th, I will be moving in to my new apartment in Ithaca, NY! Woop Woop! Then I'll have a busy week of helping my classmates move in to their apartments haha. That's quite alright, I welcome the activity! We won't have anything to do until August 2nd when Math Camp starts - so there will be a lot of bonding going on.
Monday, July 4, 2011
22 Days Until I Move - Parties Galore!
This time last year I was worrying about the GMAT Here's a post that I made last year around this time: http://money9111.blogspot.com/2010/06/gmat-die-or-be-killed.html Much has transpired since then as I'm sure you know. So I move this month! I smile every time I say that but yes I'm moving up to Ithaca, NY on July 26th. It is now July 4th so that means that in 22 days I'm peacing from NJ.
I remember asking as friend last year around this time, what one does the summer before he/she starts school. It's odd being in said position, but it's definitely welcome. I will tell you that there are a TON of going away parties and "last day of work" parties. I guess that's a benefit of living in NYC and being of a part of organizations such as MLT and Consortium, because literally every other day, I see someone update his/her facebook status with "Last day of work!" or I receive an invite for "Going Away Party!" It's great to see although my wallet is taking a hit, but I feel that it's necessary to attend these parties for people because the next time I'll get to see them will probably be in October, unless of course I'm going to school with them.
Tomorrow I have planned a happy hour for my classmates! There are some who are traveling through NYC so I figured it would be a great time to just try to put something together. I wonder what the weather is going to be like. Hopefully it will be nice out because I need to update the event on Facebook.
Later this week I may be going to a going away party for a friend who is going to school in Boston. Then I think there's something Saturday but I can't be 100% positive - need to check Facebook. Yes, I use Facebook as my social calendar.
Oh then on the 16th of July I'm hosting a party with some good friends in Brooklyn! That's going to be a lot of fun to say the least!
Also, on the agenda this week is to start MBA Math. Yes, I will be attending math camp on August 2nd at school, but I want to make sure that I get through the MBA Math so that my brain is back in working functional order. I don't think they would have suggested MBA Math had they not deemed it valuable. So... I'll do it!
I remember asking as friend last year around this time, what one does the summer before he/she starts school. It's odd being in said position, but it's definitely welcome. I will tell you that there are a TON of going away parties and "last day of work" parties. I guess that's a benefit of living in NYC and being of a part of organizations such as MLT and Consortium, because literally every other day, I see someone update his/her facebook status with "Last day of work!" or I receive an invite for "Going Away Party!" It's great to see although my wallet is taking a hit, but I feel that it's necessary to attend these parties for people because the next time I'll get to see them will probably be in October, unless of course I'm going to school with them.
Tomorrow I have planned a happy hour for my classmates! There are some who are traveling through NYC so I figured it would be a great time to just try to put something together. I wonder what the weather is going to be like. Hopefully it will be nice out because I need to update the event on Facebook.
Later this week I may be going to a going away party for a friend who is going to school in Boston. Then I think there's something Saturday but I can't be 100% positive - need to check Facebook. Yes, I use Facebook as my social calendar.
Oh then on the 16th of July I'm hosting a party with some good friends in Brooklyn! That's going to be a lot of fun to say the least!
Also, on the agenda this week is to start MBA Math. Yes, I will be attending math camp on August 2nd at school, but I want to make sure that I get through the MBA Math so that my brain is back in working functional order. I don't think they would have suggested MBA Math had they not deemed it valuable. So... I'll do it!
Quick OP Debrief
So yes, I got back from OP last Wednesday and let's just say that it was an incredible experience. Much like CTLS I'm honored to have had the opportunity to network with my classmates and fellow MBA 13's from 16 other schools! After spending nearly 150 hours with these incredible folks I can definitely say without a doubt that I now have some new lifelong friends.
I'm not going to talk too much about the event and what all went on, because I do know now that recruiters do read my blog. You can imagine what goes on though in terms of recruiting and talking to companies. I learned some great invaluable lessons in that I now know how to prepare for the recruiting season. Yes there is definitely a way that one must prepare - (ask your career center how to do it) ;-)
So that's pretty much that... I have another blog post that I want to write right now.
I'm not going to talk too much about the event and what all went on, because I do know now that recruiters do read my blog. You can imagine what goes on though in terms of recruiting and talking to companies. I learned some great invaluable lessons in that I now know how to prepare for the recruiting season. Yes there is definitely a way that one must prepare - (ask your career center how to do it) ;-)
So that's pretty much that... I have another blog post that I want to write right now.
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