As admissions decisions continue to roll out, we’d like to open this edition of FFF by extending congratulations to our blogging friends who’ve received good news over the past few days, as well as our condolences to those who received word that wasn’t as positive. Resolute is glad to have a definitive yes from ISB, and Bbirds shares news of his ISB admit with financial support (offering some words of encouragement to fellow applicants who didn’t quite make the cut). We were pleased to read about RedWolf’s Chicago admit as well as Angel Angie’s positive news from LBS and MBA Cutie’s acceptance to Michigan. A waitlist decision from Chicago solidifies Moe’s decision to enroll at LBS, while Nagendra accepts an imminent rejection and Anand comes to terms with a ding. While we were sorry to read that things didn’t work out this season, we’re glad to hear that RusGirl is excited about her new job and considering reapplying.
While some applicants can at least rest easy with an answer, many more are still waiting on decisions, and the past week found many bloggers jumping every time the phone rings, checking email for interview invites, analyzing interviews, catching typos in essays, and trying to stay motivated. Some school’s models seem to cause more stress than others, as MBA Cutie comments on the acute agony inflicted by Kellogg’s practice of gradually releasing decisions and Ty Coon considers how application timing factors into Columbia’s rolling review process. FooBarMe also continues to prepare for a Berkeley interview (which hopefully he’ll report in the wiki) and wait for an answer – albeit not from the program he applied to!
Meanwhile, Kilgore Trout explores another element of application-induced anxiety as he wonders how to break his b-school plans to his boss (and might want to investigate Brownoski’s comments on his lame duck status as he prepares). Of course, the decision date doesn’t always bring the painful uncertainty to an end, as Ty attests in relation to his Yale waitlist situation.
There does, however, seem to be rest for at least some of the weary. Finished with the work on their end, Moe and Nick offer their perspective to fellow applications with a suggestion on a fitting and thoughtful gift idea for recommenders and some retrospective tips on the application process (respectively). Others are simply grateful to have some time to relax: Pupstar78 plans an evening off after lining up his Kellogg interview, Sorebrek breathes a sigh of post-application relief and LaserLikeFocus decides to take a break from thinking about b-school altogether.
Last week’s FFF was light on content from current students, but they’re back in force now that winter break is drawing to a close (and Future MBA Girl is already feeling the effects of senioritis!). Even though class is just starting up, the simple recollection of students in the same place after scattering from break can make for memories and blog fodder, as IESE blogger George demonstrates with an illustrated account of his last hurrah before the start of the semester.
While there’s been some talk of getting back in gear academically (Hella is bracing himself for a heavy courseload and busy few months at Wharton and The Divine Miss N is already swimming in finance homework at LBS, while Noelle has been able to ease back into things at IESE more gradually), the hot topic in the student blogosphere has undeniably been recruiting. Preparation methods vary; from Ben at Ross’ sorting through various metaphors for the process to Mbwana looking into the statistics behind his prospects (and outlining a course to help maximize his chances). While anyone who’s applied for a job or school knows the stress involved in the process, droodoggie makes an interesting comment on the pressure that comes from being placed in such direct competition with classmates and friends. On a humorous note, Miss N learns that the job prospects aren’t the only thing worth getting excited about. More seriously, a few veterans offer up some tips to first year students looking for consulting positions – be sure to check out Marquis‘ thoughts, if this applies to you.
The start of a new semester also means a new setting for students taking advantage of exchange programs. While different cities and schools come with different factors to consider – from Death Spiral’s first impression of the well-organized city and modern conveniences of INSEAD’s Singapore campus to LBS blogger Guillaume’s account of earthquake preparedness orientation at Anderson – the keyword this week seems to be “adjustment.” There’s understandably not much to report at this point and most student-bloggers are just checking in to let readers know they’ve landed, but we look forward to hearing more as the semester goes on.
Finally, we’d like to welcome Harvard_Dream and Angel Angie into the blogging fold! The former is a first year student at HBS who has just kicked off a blog that looks like it will be an excellent resource on life at Harvard Business School. The latter is an LBS admit, who will be joining the class of 2008 and reporting on life in London. These blogs have been added to the HBS Blogs and LBS Blogs pages in the MBA Admissions Wiki. We encourage our readers to add their blogs to the wiki if we’ve missed them.
Congratulations to those of you who know where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing next, and good luck to those still navigating the admissions and recruiting processes! Have a great weekend…
