MBA? Go 4 It!

Another go!

2007-07-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

If I say another go, it probably makes it sound like I have tried it last time. Well I didn't. But this time I will. I am not getting any younger.

Work has been a lot. My first construction project had been really draining me. And also my family problem, which is still being dealt with.

I still think I have a pretty good candidacy. I might want to retake the GMAT tho.

Anyways, here I go again.

Blew up in my face

2006-07-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hewww....

I have been going through some interesting changes at work place.

Anyways, I had to tell my boss that I am going to M-school, which went fine suprisingly. But when I told him that I wanted to do something different from structures, he flipped and said it was a bad career move. Never seen him opposing my decision ever. Kinda freaked me out.

At work, I have been experiencing interesting twists.

Well, today I have my first GMAT prep class.

Say 'NO' to SAFETY schools

2006-06-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

Call me naive call me stupid.

But I am applying for top notch schools and only the ones that I would really like to go.
Sure I thought about applying for a couple of safe schools but I am determined to go to school for full time for two years. I will have to use up all my savings and sell my place and everything else to fund my schooling (unless some financial aid comes through) for MBA.

So to summarize,

2 years of no income
+ say about $150k CND for 2 years
+ 2 year absence in my career
----------------------------------
a whole lot to trade off for my MBA

I am not going to and I refuse to attend some school that I am not completely happy going!

I will stretch my luck but for the mean time, I will try my best for my applications.

I have narrowed(?) down to 6-7 schools (I know. That's still a bit). My career vision is pretty clear. What I want to do short and long term is all clear.

I know it's going to be challenging because after all, I suck at anything with words. If AdComs ask for paintings, oh it would be so much better for me.

Anyways, I really need to get myself together and start plan more and really move on.

But still, 12 hr work days are just too tiring. (wanna cry.)

Game is On!

2006-06-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

Dave's post (Journey to my MBA) has info on HBS Deadline for 2007.
Thanks Dave for this information. : )

I guess now it is time for me to elaborate my thoughts on applying to HBS/Stanford. Since I am still at work, I will save that till next posting (again. :p)
-----------------------------------------------

Application submitted online by 5 p.m. EST:
Round 1
Tuesday, October 11, 2006

Round 2
Tuesday, January 3, 2007

Round 3
Tuesday, March 7, 2007

Notification of the Board's decision:
Round 1
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Round 2
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Round 3
Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Requests for decisions earlier than the notification dates listed above cannot be accommodated.

Given past experience, we anticipate that many candidates will submit their online application materials very close to 5 p.m. EST on submission deadline dates. To avoid heavy server traffic and potential delays, we encourage candidates to submit application materials as early as possible.

Applications received after 5 p.m. on October 11, 2006 will be considered in Round 2. Applications received after 5 p.m. EST on January 3, 2007 will be considered in Round 3. Applications received after 5 p.m. EST on March 7, 2007 will not be considered.*last-change*
Source

Essay Questions for the Class entering 2007
Essays should be single-spaced. Limit your response to the length indicated.

Essay questions for the MBA class entering in the fall of 2007 are:

1. What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience? (400-word limit)

2. What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)

3. Discuss a defining experience in your leadership development. How did this experience highlight your strengths and weaknesses as a leader? (400-word limit)

4. In your career, you will have to deal with many ethical issues. What are likely to be the most challenging and what is your plan for developing the competencies you will need to handle these issues effectively? (400-word limit)

5. What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you? (400-word limit)

6. What other information do you believe would be helpful to the Board in understanding you better and in considering your application? (400-word limit)

Dual and concurrent degree candidates:

How do you expect the joint or concurrent degree program to benefit you both academically and professionally? (400-word limit)*

12:09 AM

2006-06-20T00:12:00.000-07:00

Finally, finished up everything that I was supposed to do for work.

Man, got an 8 o'clock meeting tomorrow morning. Gotta go to sleep. I will be so tired tomorrow. :(

+ I must have been really tired. It was supposed to be 12:09 AM but I wrote PM. Silly me!

9PM and still at work!

2006-06-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

Gotta get this meeting min out!! Can't believe I am still at work. :(

Anyways, I made my selection to go with Veritas. It's done deal. Made my payment. I am usually very good at justifying my decisions after making them. There is no point of dwelling on them if they are done deals, right?

Well, hope to get out of here soon. If I am not done in 30 min, I am leaving anyways (but I will have to take work home. :( )

GMAT Review Courses

2006-06-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned in my previous posts, I am thinking about taking a GMAT review course. Not because I have extra hundreds of dollars just sitting in my bank account waiting to be spent on something but because I do think that some extra help might be helpful overall. One of fellow applicant blogger mentioned that maybe I am not doomed to retake the GMAT but I do think that if I go ahead without retaking it and get dinged from all the schools, I will blame my GMAT scores to be one of major reasons. I just want to eliminate that possibility as much as possible. Maybe I just want to get my ass covered from me kicking at the end of the day. I just want to be able to say "Ok, kooljaek, you really have tried to do your best." And that's all good.

So, I have been doing some research on the prep courses. And dang!! They are not cheap.

There are three test prep centres that I can find in the area. I am sure if I search harder, I can find more but this is as many I would look into. The followings are what I have found.

Kaplan - I mean no doubt that Kaplan course would be good. (Or is it?) Apparently most money. They do guarantee you with the higher score (whatever that means). I talked to someone at the prep centre and she gave me the whole deal on everything. Like how many sample tests you can write and blah blah blah and if you are not satisfied then you can use their services for another three months and if you want to take a course again you can do so for a lot less money then first time. So basically 2 month program 20 hrs of class time (I think) for $1,300. For me, the Kaplan location is not as convenient as others but it's Kaplan.

Princeton Review - This one... Hmm the next review course starts in July 11 and goes till Sept 19. That's way too late. Forget it. I have taken Princeton Review GMAT Verbal prep class LONG LONG LONG time ago (4 yrs ago) in Korea when I was visiting for a couple of months. It was a bore. I mean, it was crap. They did not teach anything. Maybe I am just a sucker for believing it might be different in Canada.

Veritas GMAT Prep - Never heard of them. So not sure how good they are. Not that I know how good Kaplan and Princeton Review are. Anyways, their class session hours are double of what Kaplan and Princeton Review offer for the same money. So my reasonable question should be; is the quality of the course getting compromised by the quantity (i.e. number of hours)? That is the question.

Without further knowledge of classes, my first pick is Veritas for the following reasons.

1. Location - easiest for me to get to
2. More hours - the thing is I only need to be prepped for verbal. Kaplan and Princeton courses are all about 20-24 hr long, which means I only get verbal-prepped for 10 hours or so. Veritas program is 40 hour long so I get verbal-prepped for 20 hours or so. But not sure what number of hours really represents.
3. Schedule - Veritas's program starts early July and finishes in late August. All others creep into Sept. I CANNOT let it hanging in till mid Sept.

Anyways, Kaplan says I can sit in their class any time. So I will try that sometime soon.

I was going to talk about "HBS and Stanford; is it worth it stuff" this posting but oh well. That has to move to the next posting.

If you have experienced GMAT review courses (I also understand that there is a possibility of it being completely waste of the money), please share. I would love to hear other thoughts and experiences. : )

I can do better!

2006-06-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks all for commenting my previous posting.

To Forrest Gump / Thanks Forrest Gump. I am definitely taking the GMAT again. I think I can do better. : ) I couldn't agree with you more on how verbal sec is a beast. Thanks for the encouragement.

To Ankush /
So you are writing GMAT again in July? Good luck to you. : )

To Clear Admit / Wow. Graham from Clear Admit, I am honoured that you visited my humble blog!!. I would like to take my GMAT ealier than Sept. But since the GMAT class that I am planning to take is running from July to late August, I think I am stuck with late Aug/ early Sept time line. I know it sucks because I much rather get it over with than anything. Thanks for your insightful advice and encouragement.

To Benny / As I mentioned above, I would like to take it earlier and get it over with but kinda stuck with that schedule because I am planning to take a prep course. : ) But thanks a bunch for your advice and encouragement.

To MBABlogger / Thanks for wishing me luck.

To John / I know. Mental block does that to ya. Hope you get the score you want if you are planning to take it again. : )

To Anonymous / I hope to do better next time. : ) Thanks.

To StressTensor / That's a great idea!! Definitely I will do that. Sorry for not writing to you earlier. : )

To AceNomad / Thanks. Glad that my postings have helped. Come back again. Hopefully I will have more positive postings by then.

---------------------------

So I am not sure if this is the best way to do it. I have run blogs elsewhere and when I respond to the comments, I just use the comments format myself. However, how Blogger dot com is formatted, I don't find it so user friendly (maybe it's just because I am not used to it).

Anyways, enough about last week's GMAT.

As I mentioned to Grahm from Clear Admit and benny and all others, I am planning to take a GMAT prep course. (I guess I mentioned briefly in my previous posting as well). I know it's expensive but I feel I can do better with a bit of help. (In other words, I don't think I can help myself any more. I need extra help! is what I am trying to say.)

The problem is that the course is from July to late Aug, so I can't retake my GMAT till end of Aug or early Sept. Man, my b-day is late Aug. I am not going to have any fun this birthday. I guess my birthdays haven't been exciting since I have turned 22 or so.

With more deadlines and essay topics coming out, I think I am going to focus on brainstorming for the essays for now.

Ah.. and there is PE/PEng registration. Dang it. Studying never ends. : (

Next posting, I will jot some thoughts on "Applying to HBS and Stanford... is it worth it?"
--> disclaimer: I must warn my readers. I am just an applicant. My insights have no depth whatsoever. They are mainly for the purpose of recording for myself. Nothing more. : ) But I would love for anyone to comment or to share their insights. ; )

Cheers!!

Disappointing GMAT Score

2006-05-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

Well it was not too surprising. Maybe I was too hopeful. I guess I wanted to test my luck. I have never considered myself that lucky so not sure what made me think that this time would be different.

I rested for a few days. I actually wanted to clear my head. Going in the exam, I calmed myself by telling myself that if it doesn't turn out, I can always take it again.

I have studied a lot. I mean, I have never studied anything this intensely in my entire life. This was a shocking scene to my parents. I have always been so casual about all my other exams. And I have done well. I mean, well enough.

The finger print detector thing didn't work so well. Anyways, I wrote my essays and took a break. Didn't know that I had to be out of the room. When I needed to go back, the finger print thing didn't work so I had lost about 50sec into my Q.

Q was hard. I mean it was hard enough that I wished I had more time. I ran out of time. I mean I finished the whole session but because I was running out of time, I had to guess the second last question.

V was... Just a big mess. Doing the first question, my brain just froze. I was like what is SC? Crap. My pace was ok. But I managed to get lots of questions wrong.

So I would say that my final score is about 5% missing from what I hoped for.
I got 50 on Q but thirty something in V. So it's not quite there.

I think I had tried enough problems but I did not do concrete review. My V score is not too surprising because even in practice exams (other than one paper exam that I did) I have never scored over 40. So...

I think I will take it in Sept again.
Thinking about taking some GMAT review class possibly. Not too discouraged because at least I tried my best and the result wasn't too earth shattering. I think I can do a lot better than that. Who knows? Maybe I can meet someone with whom I can study together in the class or something.

At least it's over. Tomorrow, work starts again (I just checked my work email. Over 100 emails to go through. Dang...)

D-4 and Why B-School?

2006-05-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

So now it is D-4 to my GMAT. I don't know what it means. I am still making the same mistakes in Q that I have been making and I still don't get the hard V questions.

For most of V Q's I get wrong, I would pick the wrong one out of two after eliminating three. I think I just need to stay focused.

I had a weird dream last night. My house was haunted by ghosts and dead people and stuff. Everytime I tried to say something, things were growing out of walls, at doors and windows, and in my shower. Scary. It was like that 'Ring' moment. I was in the shower and the ceiling split and long haired something fell through the crack. Scared the hell out of me but I was still in sleep. Wonder if this reflects my unstable/concerned state of mind. Anyways, in 4 days, it will be over (at least temporarily.)

stresstensor, a fellow applicant and structural engineer who's also studying for GMAT, asked me I am applying to B-School to get ahead in the Construction industry or to change careers into something else. My answer to that question is the former. I know there are a lot of professionals out there who don't like it. It was a lot of work to get through school but it doesn't pay very much. And the liability that we have to carry? Insane... But I love what I do. It brings me a huge sense of achievement. I get the sense of being a pioneer. The infrastructure projects these days, are getting larger and more complicated. Each proponent consists of many different partners and subs. Currently working on a large DBFO (design-build-finance-operate) project as a low level manager, I am learning so much more than what I've learned from 7 yrs of school and 3 yrs of working prior to that project. I realized the importance of good management, good processes/procedures/protocols, and teamwork (working with German partners and experiencing cultural differences everyday).

And it hit me. I thought that I want to keep on doing this (but higher up in the ladder) globally. These + billion projects are all over the world and I want to be a part of it. So that's basically why I want to go to a B-School, a good one. If I just want to stay in North America, then I could probably go to a Canadian school, part time and that would be great too. Then I can keep on working, build my resume, and make money. But I want be out there Asia, Africa, Europe... I want to go somewhere with great international reputation, a excellent program, and amazing people.

That's how it kinda started. : )

So this posting started from D-4 I am in deep s$#& for my GMAT and ended with that's why I want my MBA (well this is more informal. Sooner or later, I will focus on this more).

And whoever's reading this not so exciting and interesting blog, cheers to you all!

Too old? Does age matter?

2006-05-21T02:13:00.000-07:00

How old is too old?

I have read on various articles and blog postings that Harvard and Stanford MBA programs are looking for younger classes. Like mid 20's. Well I am definitely past that stage since I will be turning 30 in about 3 months time. (At least my Asian face don't look it so I guess that's a good thing.)

Doesn't concern me a huge deal but I can't say that it doesn't bother me at all.

For me, I think right now is the best timing.

I don't have big gaps in my past. I went to college when I was old enough and then I went to grad school when I was done with college. In my field, master's degree has become almost a must. The job is so technical and carries such a HUGE liability (but doesn't pay very well...) higher education is definitely necessary. And for real, I really feel that my three years (that's right. took me god damn three years for my master's) is well spent. Well, it could have been 2 years. But I learned a huge deal about my field and I got to work with amazing people doing my research.

Then I took 4 months off to slack off and travel, then I started working. It's been 3 yrs and 7 months. I should have gotten my PEng PE thing done last year but I am only partly done and looking to finish it as soon as this GMAT thing is over.

I feel now is a right timing because I have strong academic/technical background, and I have enough work experience to be registered and to have been exposed to various aspects of my industry. (Please bear with me if I am not coherent, I am tired and my brain is fried.)

In my field, if you want to be a PM, you've gotta have at least 20 yrs of experience. I am not a manager but I have been tailoring my career so far so I can be more exposed to different management roles. But I am telling you. Getting here too this long and I don't think I could have been any younger to feel I am ready to do this MBA thing.

Maybe adcoms won't see it that way. Maybe they would want more out of my career. But the way I see it, I think I should be ok. I think I am just at that place where I really feel I am finally ready to apply.

Don't mind me. Just mumbling at 2:30 AM. Should hit the sack.

Finally Count-Down Starts for GMAT

2006-05-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

ok. So I have shown inside my brain in my previous post. And guess what! My GMAT is less than 10 days away. To tell you the truth, I am getting calmer than before. Maybe I am getting to that 'zen' stage.

It's kind of embarrassing to say but I haven't actually finished OG 11th ed yet. It should be done today. Then I will start reviewing OG Verval Review that I finished some time ago.

So far I have done 4 CAT practice tests with one paper test (from Kaplan). Except for the paper test, all CAT's been under 700. (Kaplan paper was 740, which I liked. -_-b <== thum's up)

So from today till my exam day, I am only working for 2 days. Coming Monday is a holiday and taking Thur. and Fri. off to meditate and to stay focused.

Just for info I have been using the following study materials

Kaplan GMAT Premier 2006-2007
Kaplan GMAT 800 2006-2007
Princeton Review 2006-2007
Manhattan GMAT RC and CR
Manhattan GMAT SC
OG GMAT Review 11ed
OG GMAT Verbal Review

Even though I have mainly focused on my verbal, I am still not confident. But I know that up to certain level, confidence feeds itself. I will do as much as I can till the day before exam and then I just do my best on the exam day. Even if I want to avoid taking the exam again, if I have to, I can take it again. Anyways, back to studying on this very nice Saturday afternoon.

So what's in your BRAIN????

2006-05-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

So what's in my brain lately??

Not that 'GMAT 700 and above' is my ultimate goal but that is one thing that occupies the most in my brain these days. Probably till when it is done on May 29. Well I hope that will be the end of it.

Let's see what else I got in my brain.

Of course I got H/S/W applications. And we all know what that means.

Actually deciding which schools to apply has been an ongoing issue with me but hasn't been nailed down yet. I know that I want to apply to Kellogg and NYU. But should I apply LBS or Chicago? Or Columbia or MIT?? Still a big question for me.

And of course, other items for the whole application process come across once in awhile just because it's not yet time. No let me rephrase that. It's because I have other more urgent items to deal with first.

Work/Project is another major thing.

Finding a new love? Oh well, I have been fine since my last boyfriend and I will be fine for awhile without one.

With all these stresses from work, studying, and family, my skin has been breaking out a lot more often. But who's got time to deal with it? The same goes for losing a few elbees and stuff.

And these days I have been burning for "Alias." Sydney Bristow is my hero and Agent Vaughn is my darling. That's where it ends. But I wouldn't mind to be fit/fast like Jennifer Garner.

Oh, and Spa Utopia... I am booking a full body massage session after my GMAT. Regardless of my score, I have been juggling hard between work/studying/family, I think I deserve a treat.

So that's what's in my head... what about you (you being a couple of people who happen to read this posting now. : ) )....

Agony continues...

2006-05-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was not a very good GMAT studying day. I guess I stayed up too late the day before (well I was kind of studying but I was more reading MBA blogs than studying).

Anyways, I did the paper test that came with the Kaplan GMAT (there is one full test at the end). Yup, quant is no prob. Verb is a huge prob.

Also I am putting more thoughts in my school selection.

After reading a few postings on Columbia admission, how ‘not so easy’ it is and stuff. Not that any of those schools is easy. I am considering to drop Columbia and apply for MIT instead.

I am still confused as far as how many schools that I need to apply. Is 6-7 too many?

The agony continues. : (

There is LIFE out side of GMAT 700!!

2006-05-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

Well that's what I like to believe.

So far I have taken three sample exams and all performances have been sub-par. Not good.

Today is a very hot day. The hottest day of the year so far. Sky rocketing 30 degrees (yes, can you tell that I don't live in the states?)...

Working has been pretty challenging for me for the past two months since I have been seconded to the project joint venture. Fires are everywhere but not enough firemen.... fireperson... I mean, firepeople... or whatever...

I have been making excuses for not making to the gym as much as I used to. It's just that this GMAT thing is just THERE. ALL the TIME!

I know it will soon be over (my d-day is May 29). I am not sure if I want to suck it up and take it like a man (or a woman in my case). Or chicken out and postpone? But if I postpone, is there a guarantee that the extra time will help me to improve? But I know that it doesn't help... is it even worth taking the GMAT? AM I GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE UP ON GOING TO THOSE TOP MBA SCHOOLS (yeah like they have reserved spots for me -_-)!?!?!

I know I can't give up. I will take two if it's required. Ok, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I am sure that my life can go on even if I don't get over 700 in my first GMAT. That's right. I just take it again.

(Actually, I am aiming for 750 but if I get 700... then I won't be so paranoid...)

Anyways, back to work.

DEPRESSED - MUST GET 40 in V

2006-05-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

I am depressed now.

I am losing my faith. I just don't seem to be improving my verbal ability. What can I do? I don't think I have ever owned it. So what makes me think that I can get one in 2-3 months time?

It depresses me that this is sort of like my first official step to the whole application process and I am already choaking.

So I can ace the math and do so soso on the verbal. If I manage to get around 700 then can I be comfortable? Or should I be concerned myself with getting at least 40 in V? Can I do it? Is it going to happen?

I got 2 weeks to get there. I just did Manhattan GMAT practice verbal Question Bank. And hit rate is about 60%. This CANNOT be true. I did OG 11th some SC and RC. It was DEFINITELY better than 60%. (about 85% hit rate. Still not comfortable...)

Am I just being paranoid? I don't think so!! I think I got a good reason.

Gotta focus. I need 40 in V.

I guess I will find out in 2 weeks.

Mood Swings

2006-05-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Ok today is not a bad day. It's sunny and it's Friday.

I have been thinking about doing MBA for years.
I actually thought I wanted to do this since undergrad years. To be more precise, around 1998. I started to think more serious about it for close to 4 years. Since master's, since I started working, I knew that eventually I wanted to do MBA.

So even though I haven't really applied yet, it's been an ongoing process in my head for years. Starting earlier this year, as I started looking into more information and studying for GMAT and all, it became the real thing.

Some days, I am good. I feel that my academic background is pretty solid and that I can be a student who can really contribute to diversity of each class and that my working experience is adequate to go forward. Some days, I get scared. And I doubt myself. Is my undergrad GPA good enough? Is my working experience good enough? Am I good enough?

At the end of the day, my conclusion is who cares?
I have been preparing myself for this up and coming application season and I will proceed as I planned. I don't give a damn what everyone says. I have worked hard to get here and I will work hard throughout the application process. At the end of the day, I hope that I will get to choose where I go but if I don't get in anywhere.... hmm then what do I do? I actually didn't think that far ahead. I don't have a backup plan. I just believe in myself to do what I can do so at the end of the day, I will at least have one admission.

But above all and beyond, today is a day when I don't feel as confident.
I think all this thinking and studying for GMAT and what's happening at work and all... I think it's getting me all weary.

I am tired. It's Friday and only plan I got is studying. Man.. That sucks. : (

GMAT in progress - 2 Sample Tests done so far

2006-05-11T01:48:00.000-07:00

I am keep coming back to this site.

Wow I haven't posted anything for a very very long time.I

t is already May of 2006. And yup, I am writing my GMAT at the end of this month.Studying hasn't been so easy because (Well... I think I am just making excuses for myself but...) work has been pretty challenging, well, mostly mentally more than anything. Since I am seconded to the project for a long term, I had to move to a new office and work with some different people. Lots of things are not in place yet so still lots of things to figure out. And meetings and meetings and meetings... and that's right and more meetings. Some long ones are 4+ hr long. Tiring.

Anyways,I have so far done two sample GMAT. Not too impressed with my performance. Math... I should definitely ace it. But I make stupid mistakes. Verbal... I know. This is going to be difficult. I think the easiest for me is CR. RC... depends on the subjects. SC.. man... choices that just sound better or make more sense don't always sound better or make more sense. What can I do? I have talked to someone who just wrote MCAT. She says the first 10 sample tests you don't see much improvement. 10 tests? So I have 8 more to go?

So far two I have done are from Princeton Review CD and Manhattan GMAT site.

More to come... man gotta get this whole GMAT thing out.

Buying GMAT Prep Material? - Done (Well.. partly!!)

2005-08-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ok Straight to the point. (well maybe not so straight to the point)...

I have been studying... for say 25 years? (Well I am 28... so how? you ask?)

I learned to read (in Korean) when I was about 3. I learned my alphabet around 4-5 yrs old. Since then I have been learning something (even though today, I am not learning much...)

I feel very fortunate about the fact that my father had always been aware of the importance of ability to communicate in English. Even if I don't speak or write perfect English (even though many people I run into think I am a native speaker - it is a lot easier to fake when you are just speaking/ or writing, whichever your strength is).

I may not be an expert in anything else in life, but certainly I have done my share of studying (or slacking off and procrastinating). Actually to add to that effect (?), I was the cramming queen, no let's go with the king, up to Jr year at college. After that, I felt the limit but let's not talk about it.

From my studying experience, I have learned the followings:
(And I say this with some confidence because even though I did not have perfect GPA's or graduated from No. 1 colleges (which can be quite subjective at times), for the time that I have put in studying (sometimes hardly any -_-), I have been relatively successful.)

1. Prep courses can be (and most cases are) a waste of time...
==> Of course when I took the GRE, I had no plans or anything. Just registered and wrote it. Of course the outcome wasn't so hot but oh well... I got into schools I applied to. After my grad school, I was visiting Korea for 2 months. In that two months, I registered for Princeton Review GMAT Prep course for verbal. Wasn't too expensive (as it could be in North America) but it certainly wasn't cheap. I have never been a believer of any kinds of prep courses but that just confirmed my belief. YOU have to be the one who does work. You can sit there all you want but if you don't do the work, that's it. Maybe this is such a common sense that everyone knows it already.

2. Most reference/studying materials are good.
==> Of course there can be some variances. Just watch out for something new that the publishers themselves claim to be hot!! If you stick to the ones that have been around for awhile (I am talking about PR, Kaplan, Arco, etc) they are all pretty good. Of course some are better than others. But that also depends on the GMAT taker him/herself.

3. Never spend too much money buying too many books.
==> If you are sure that you can master all the study materials you buy. Sure, go ahead and do it. But I am always looking into spending minimum amount of money and time but expecting a maximum outcome. So for example, instead of buying 6 books, buy 3 and go over each of them twice. It is a much effective way, which takes less time.

So... I know that it is getting too long again but what I would like to say is that I decided not to spend too much time trying to decide what are the BEST ones. Instead, I am just gonna go ahead with the BETTER ones and invest that investigation time in studying.

From Journey to my MBA blog, I have learned that New Official Guide for GMAT (11th ED) is out but since it is not yet available at Chapter's I might wait for awhile.

Instead, I went down to Chapter's during lunch time and bought the following materials:

But now that I look at it... it's cheaper to buy at the online store (so I will return the books -_- after work... dang it)

Anyways the books I bought and will return and buy again are

Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook, Third Edition

Kaplan GMAT 800, 2005-2006

My weakness is in verbal so I need to focus on it.
And for GMAT 800, I heard it's very difficult but I like difficult problems. -_-b

So that's it for now (man... I have to go to the bookstore again? -_-)

More about myself?

2005-08-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

I am pretty good at talking about myself. Don't get me wrong. I am not conceited in any ways. I just like expressing myself to communicate with others.

Yeah I am not so good with a "being mysterious" concept.

If you want to hide and not talk about yourself then why keep a blog?
That's just absurd, right?

As I said on my previous posting, I am an engineer. A pretty green one too.
Maybe in some other fields, an engineer with 3 yr of experience is not so green but in my field, I am classified as a as-green-as-they-come-in rookie.

Anyways, I don't remember how I got to browse "League of MBA Bloggers" blog a couple of days ago. However, it impacted me in a way that I had this great urge to be a part of it. So here I am. I guess I will have to wait till "Russell (I don't know you but thanks for keeping a blog like that)" puts me on the list.

Well I like jumping from and to all over the places when I keep my blog so whoever happens to run into this blog on a more regular base will have to get used to it. :)

Let's have a few words on GMAT.

In fall of 1998, I decided that I wanted to get a master's degree in US. I guess I was thinking about getting a job in US after I graduate. I did get a master's in US but I ended up in Canada again. What can I say? I love this place.

Anyways, going to a grad school in US meant that I had to write GRE. Yikes.... I remember writing SATs in highschool. (Yeah I did not end up needing my SAT scores because I decided to stay in Canada but my verbal was terrible - sure it was only after 1.5 yrs of Canadian life... ) It had been 5 years since I moved to Canada in 1998 but that period only improved my speaking ability but not my you-will-never-use-these-words-in-everyday-life-ever vocab power.

To keep my story short, in my senior yr of college, I got really busy with various projects so I did not invest any time in studying for GRE (ok I studied for 4 days -_-).

My results were terrible (once again) on verbal. I was lucky that I was applying for engineering schools, where quant. and anal. are important. Otherwise, I would have never gotten into schools that I applied to.

This is getting too long for no apparent reason. -_- but oh well... It's my blog. :D

This is where it all begins.

2005-08-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

I have been hesitant in opening another blog since I have so many others to keep my records. But browsing through some MBA blogs in blogspot I decided to share my words (more like keep my words in record).

There are a few areas that the adcoms focus on.

To list the major ones,

1. Previous education (undergrad and grad educations - if applicable)
2. Career
3. Extracurricular activities - on myself
4. Extracurricular activities - within community
5. GMAT
6. Admission package - mainly essays

Basically the stats (numbers) used are GPA's and GMAT scores. I know high numbers in these do not guarantee anything but still the higher stats are the better right? Well at least I think so. : p

I am working on items through 2 to 6 (yup I am done with schools till I get into an MBA program).

My goal is to get an admission(s) for 2007 Academic Year, which means I need to complete my admission packages for 2006-2007 admission year.

My schedule is like this:

Aug 05 - start studying for GMAT (focus on Verbal)
Oct 05 - engineering exam
Dec 05 - engineering exam
Apr 06 - more engineering exam
Feb 06 - write GMAT
Jun 06 - write GMAT if I am not happy with the first score
Oct 06 - apply for 1R
Dec 06 - apply for 2R

So...

I have a few engineering exams to complete for my engineering designations but hopefully I can be dedicated, I mean, disciplined enough to get myself through it and stick to the schedule.

Here is my brief profile:

Moved to Canada in in Jr. of highschool. (So English writing is still not my strong point.)

Education:
Highschool - Graduated in 95 with 7.0/7.0 GPA
Undergrad - Graduated in 99 from a top 5 Canada Engineering school with distinction (3.4/4.0 GPA - Last two years 3.7-4.0)
Grad - Graduated in 02 from an Ivy League school with an engineering degree (research based) (3,95/4.0 GPA)

Occupation:
Project Engineer and project coordinator/manager

Previous test experiences:
GRE (Quant. 760 Anal. 790 Verbal - way way way below par -_- but I know GMAT verbal is different from GRE verbal)