Money Well Spent

Before starting school I completed the four-CD MBA Survival Kit by GMAC and McGraw Hill. It definitely helped, and I'd recommend the "kit" to any potential MBA candidate. You'll be happy that you put in the work when the first day of class hits you like a ton of bricks.

Who Spams Blogs?

Has anyone noticed the glut of blog spammers lately? It seems like the "comments" section of every blog has been getting filled with nonsense. Every time I get an email about a comment it contains some gibberish with a few underlined links. It seems like some people are pretty hard-up for traffic. What a complete waste of time.

Here are a few words of advice for the spammers:

1) If you think that this blog is a major source of potential traffic, I have a bridge to sell you. Just ask Google Adsense -- they'll concur.

2) At least link to something coherent. These weird sites probably don't even make sense to YOU, and you wrote them.

Anyhow, thanks to those who come to read and actually post something MBA-related.

I'm studying like a madman for a Statistics test tomorrow. I have two unbelievably trying weeks ahead of me. They include the afore mentioned Stats test, a huge group marketing case analysis, an Accounting mid-term, Economics mid-term, an Economics group problem set, an Accounting case analysis, and just to wrap it all up...a Marketing final. Oh yeah, throw in a few evening employer meet & greets for good measure. Whoopee!

I'm off to review binomial and normal distributions. Good luck as the application season gets started! I know these are trying times for applicants, but just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Wow: Week One Wonders

So, week number one of my MBA experience is in the books. All of those rumors about how busy you’ll be? True.

This weekend is going to be crazy. I have a marketing case due on Monday morning, an accounting case due on Wednesday, and an Econ case due on Friday. Throw in two corporate presentations at night next week and it looks like another series of 14 hour days. It’s all manageable, but you have to stay on it. My classes are all fun and interesting, and my section and study-group are full of excellent, intelligent people.

The corporate presentations last week were great. You have to get suited-up and hang around school until 9 PM to meet with all of the finance companies, but it’s a small price to pay. The coolest part about the presentations and receptions is that you get to meet decision-makers. You literally get a chance to have a drink with the people who could hire you…on your second day of school. It’s like driving home one night and thinking, “I wish they’d fix the potholes on my street.” And then getting introduced to the Governor of your state the next day and asking for the pothole repair in person. It occurs to me that bschool is as much about access as it is education.

Back to the coal mine…