My trip to Home, loan and a friend's marriage..

I went to my hometown last Thursday. The purpose was two fold : 1. To have a chat with the Manager of a local branch of a nationalized bank. 2. To attend the marriage of the guy who is coming to Kelley with me and also my would be room mate.

My first interaction with the manager did not go quite well.
I went to him with all the documents including VISA and have shown them to him. After looking at them, he told that its good that I have studied at NIT Warangal. And at last he said that whatever it, as he told earlier to my father, I have to get a property in the town to mortgage. I told him that we don't have anything in the town but we have property in the near by village and we can mortgage that if required. He insisted on the urban property, which we don't have. I have shown him the printout that I took from the Bank's website and told that the rules say that I need not mortgage anything if the amount is less than INR 400,000. He told that the rules will be like that and they need to take the default situations in the branch to approve loans without mortgage and he can not do it. All this went on while I was just standing in front of him. He did not even offered a seat. He told that I can go and come with the things that I was told.
While going to my hometown I took a printout of the contact numbers of General Managers and other executives of the bank. After the above conversation, I called up one of the General Managers and told him the situation. He gave the contact of the Zonal Manager (ZM), under whom our branch manager works. I spoke to the Zonal Manager and explained him the situation. He asked me to go to the manager and give a call from there. So, I went to the manager and called the ZM and handed the phone over to the Manager. He said ok to whatever the ZM told on phone. Then he asked me why I have called up the ZM. I told him that I don’t see anyway that I could get a loan as I don’t' have any property as the manager told. He told that he will speak to my father on this. I told him that there is nothing my father can do and my father can just sign for surety. The manager asked me to go to Bangalore and come back and told that he will do the loan once I am back to my hometown. I thanked him ad got out.
After I returned home, the ZM called me up and told that the manager agreed to process the loan once I come back from Bangalore and asked me to call him if there is anymore problem. I thanked him and told that I will call him once I am back from Bangalore.

On the other note, I have attended the marriage of the guy, who is going to be my roommate at Kelley. The wedding was marvelous and I wished them the best for their new life. The silver lining is that the surname of the bride and my surname are same. So my new roommate is my Brother-In-Law.
I am back to Bangalore today morning and I have lots of things to do. :) .

Update on Visa front..

I have not posted for quite a long time. I went to Hyderabad last weekend and was there till yesterday. I got the Charted Accountant certification done there. This completes my documentation for Visa. Now just have to put everything into order. One of my friends has a H1-B visa interview on the same day as mine. So, we booked a hotel room in Chennai.

Also I met a lot of friends from College, school and my previous company. It was really fun. Also I met an aunt, who told that she can help if I have any problem. It was truly amazing trip except for the part that I lost my spectacles again (Third time in Six months). I got poorer by INR 2000 with that.

It rained heavily in Hyderabad on Tuesday and I was soaked in that just before coming to the Airport. I came back to Bangalore by 7:45 PM and went to a friend's room. My cousin attended GRE and scored an awesome 1320. He attended the test a month ago and got only 970. He was preparing for it for the past 1 year. I was really happy to hear the news. May he get into one of the good schools for MS.

My Last month..

Told my team lead today that its time for me to move. He was a little disappointed and told that "You are a critical resource from the technology front and requirement analysis, but since you are going for higher studies I can't ask you to reconsider your decision".

I was feeling deeply sad to convey the news. Yesterday we were discussing some things and he told that you are sufficient to discuss this with the client. I asked him to involve another guy too so that things don't get complicated once I move out. My relationship with the new lead is a very short one but he is very considerate, cooperative than many of the other guys I have seen.

Also, we discussed that most of the work will be done before I move out and we can really work the things out really. I am already feeling a sense of going away from my loved ones. This organization has given me the thing that I value most - freedom. I used to work at my own timings, my own setup. As long as the work was done, no one objected. I will write whole of my experience, once I move out..

After all, Kelley was one of my dream schools in UG

I was at home a couple of weeks back and was going through the books and articles that I have collected. I collect a lot of business books (of course at cheap rates only) and when I have to move out from my last job I have to send those books in a gunny bag to my home.

The point is that when I were in B.Tech Final year at NIT warangal, I used to search for Best business books and Best business schools through google in the college digital library. I used to order the view books of the top colleges and when they arrived, I relished looking at the beautiful campuses and the best companies of the world recruiting from those schools.

So, Last week at home, when I was searching through those books, I found out the view books of U of Mich, LBS, ISB, Kellogg and finally KELLEY. The view books are dated 2002-03. Exactly five years ago, I got them from the schools and I was happy to know that after all I got into one of my dream schools. Of course, in 2002-03 I don’t know much about how should I go to those schools. For how many years should I work before applying? Can I go there at all? I was appearing for CAT (Admission test for Indian Institutes of Management) and completely forgot about the foreign schools. But it suddenly happened before I can realize.

I am into one of my dream schools. You are destined for what is right for you.

My problems to get an Educational loan from India

I went to a manager of a Public sector bank yesterday along with my uncle. My uncle knows some of the key contacts in that bank. We went there and after showing up all the documents the manager told that they are not giving loans that actively these days.

We have shown my B.Tech Degree certificate from NIT Warangal, I-20 and loan approval letter from Kelley. He asked about the kelley loan and told that it may be difficult to get a loan because I already have a loan from Kelley and it is going to be burden some on me to repay. He is skeptical that betting on me is a huge risk as I have to repay around 40 lakhs in loan (Kelley loan + this loan). He told that he will speak to the regional office and will let us know. I understood that this is going to be a fruitless task. Let us see what happens. I am fighting tooth and nail with the little contacts I have to connect to some of the bank managers and convince them for loan. We know a bank manager in Hyderabad but we don’t have any assets to show as surety. So the problems continue..

On the job front, I have decided to put my papers in the first week of June. My current manager is very friendly he doesn’t know about my MBA. He is involving me in each and every task and am happy for that. But it may get difficult for him to do the things with a new resource if I go very late. So, don't want to bother him. I will tell early so that he can make his plans.

H1B Problems for Foreign MBA Students in US

It is getting tough to get H1B Visas after an MBA in US. The increased number of students and the cap of 65000 visas are making the things difficult. Business Week has an article on this. Its painful to see this at a moment when many of us are pulling our socks to get ready for an MBA in US.

But..The tough will survive. Now and Always..Dont be bothered. I am sharing this just to let you guys know about this.

Read the Full story Here:
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/may2007/bs20070514_587413.htm

Essays: To Hire or Not to Hire a Consultant ?

One of the questions that comes to the mind of many applicants when they have started the Application process or when they are done with the GMAT is whether to hire or not to hire a consultant.
The answer really depends on each individual's case.

To Hire: The consultants have got lots of experience and they can give your essays a good form using the key words and formats. But, when you hire a consultant don't ask him to write the essays. Write your essays atleast in bullet point format and show it to them and ask them to check the structure and presentation. You need to shell out considerable amount to get this done through a good consultant. Remember..Never copy someone's essay and modify that to suit you. It will not reflect a fresh story.

NOT To Hire: I have not hired a consultant or for that matter even have not read any book for essays. I have gone through the internet and have seen some of the essays for structure. May be not hiring a consultant has cost me dearly as you can see I have got 8 rejects out of 9 applications. But, I have applied to the top schools and it really did not hurt that much to get a reject because I am fighting for the cream. One of the other drawbacks of not having a consultant is you may not get good reviewers for essays. This is the case with me. None of my friends have gone through this process or not much aware of this essay process and so I am not able to get good reviewers for the essays. Reviewers are very important to check grammar, structure and content rationality and relevance.
Finally, The one best thing of not hiring a consultant and doing your essays and getting into a school boosts your confidence. I am confident now on my skills to plan and execute the herculean task of Applying and getting into a B-school.

So, just evaluate yourself and see if you require a consultant. If you would like to hire one, speak to some of the people who have done that and take their advice. If you are not hiring a consultant here are some of the resources that may come to your help.

1. Essay Edge- Sample essays..As told not copy them..They are public and lack the freshness.

2. How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs by Richard Montauk - I have not read this, but another blogger told that she has gone through this and its very nice. Again, don't copy anything, but use them for reference and style.

3. MBA Game Plan- Sample Essays..Good resources of samples..Go through them.

Finally, Know yourself and start writing the essays well more than 2 months in advance. The first application will take more time as you have to write the content for first time.
From the second application onwards you can use the content from the first application. But for the Why school? answer write really something you spoke to current students, faculty and came to know and not that Its great school for consulting.

9 months..8 rejections..2 sleepless nights..and THEN....

I have started this application process in June 2006 when I have decided to take GMAT. It has been 9 months since then..It took the best of mein these nine months on how to project myself and introspect what Ireally want to do with my life. I thought about my goals, aspirations. Applied to 9 universities..And 8 of them rejectedme..Some after showing an initial interest to interview me and someother without showing any interest..I have had 2 sleeplessnights..One was before the result date of one university and then theother after rejection by another university..I have had many breakdowns thinking what am I worth for..My perseverance has been coming down and finally I gave up a week ago that its not written forme to do an MBA and may be I am cut for something else..M B A..Thethree letters for which I am fighting tooth and nail for the past 7 years..from the year 2000..looked to be a dream of life..

Then..finally god decided the other way.. He has shown mercy and gave me another chance..KELLEY School of Business at Indiana University has shown love on me and gave an admit for MBA for the class startingFall 2007.. M B A..The letters at the end of my name are in a visible distance..

Thanx for one and all who has given their support in this process..I am indebted to many who consoled me in grief..who encouraged me in competency and who are sharing with me the fruits of success..

Thanx a lot..

With Love..
The Indian Alchemist.

Results..A new way to enjoy..

UNC sent mail that results will be available on 12th March..Ross also sent a mail that results will be available on 15th March.. I dont have an invite from Ross..So the story for Ross is obvious..Duke is also expected to give the results on 8th March. I have decided to not to visit PagalGuy till I get the e-mails from Adcom. I will wait for the email and post the result on PG on the particular thread and will come back..I think this will give a real thrill to me as I will not have much info on what is happening..It may seem to be ridiculous..But..I just wanna enjoy the feeling..So today will be the last visit to PagalGuy till the next result comes..

Applications update..

There is no interesting update as of now. Thats why these days you will see a series of personal mails than MBA. I am not sure whether its diluting the blog..But..I feel it good to share everything..

Interviewed by Kelley, UNC and Duke..
Have not heard from Tepper and Ross about the invites..

What is Economics??

What is Economics ? Is it the way to conduct a business? Is it the way to estimate the financial markets? Is it the way to profitability? As many of us assume, Economics is not a finance related activity or business related activity. It deals with man, his interests and the ways to explain his decisions. I came across an interesting article on Economics at http://www.econlib.org/library/Columns/y2007/Robertsopportunitycost.html.

It is an interesting article and as I am reading Freaconomics, i feel relieved. Previously Economics sounded like an alien thing or frightenin thing to me..I used to think that I should have a PhD to understand economics. But Thanx to the books and articles that are available over net, I am able to get a grasp f these things. Ofcourse, I may not be able to explain the supply-demand curves..but the thought process behind the analysis I can see from these resources.

In Freconomics, we come across various examples that explain the rationality with good examples..Did u ever thought that crime will come down today because of the rise of abortions and legalising abortion 2 decades ago? may not right..Thats what the Freak thinks in Freaconomics. It makes a good reading as it don't ponder over the classical stuff but it takes examples and discerns the causes..After all Economics is about the theory of choosing the best from the available and making the most of it with rational thinking..And there is no place for Assumptions..Only facts will explain..

How do you feel to get FOUR Dings in a row..

Four Dings in a row..From Wharton, ISB, Tuck and now from Darden.
How do I feel? I know that I have started late in my pocess and by the time I have submitted these application for -1, I did not have the enough exposure to Essay witing and other things..Frankly I am regretting my decision to not to apply in R-1 for every schools. But..for me it has done some good. Atleast I was able to write decent stuff for R-2.

Coming to how it feels, I feel hollow..Blank..Without any admit at hand and 4 Dings in a row and in a situation where I have to go for MBA this year at any cost..I feel its hard for me to think the course of action..Meanwhile..McDonough has extended the deadline to 12-Feb. Should I consider it an omen and apply to McDonough..Not sure..

But I always believed that I deserve some thing better than McDonough. Not that the school is not good. Its great school in a great location. But my heart is not getting attracted towards that. I love the schools that I have applied and I dont know ..but I dont love McDonough that much..

Monday I have the Kelley interview..I believe its a god sent invitation and I have to do my best..

Results out for Kelley..For Round-1

People who applied to kelley in R-1 got the results. There are many from India..I have applied to Kelley in R-2..Also the ist of admits on pagalguy is increasing and i am waiting eagerly to include my name into that..but its still a long wait before that and a lot of uncertainity..But..The one who keeps up his head in a flood will survive..So trying to keep my head above the waters..:-).

India was the 2nd richest...

Yes, I am as suprised as you are..If you did not know that India was the 2nd richest country in the world..Even the whole of Europe was not as richer. But as the East India Company entered India through the 1700s, they looted us..made us poorer..and today here we stand..as one of the poorest countries..with so many people dying of hunger..Illiterate..And so many others..

But..we are wielding power ..again..yes..we have to do that..and all of us have a great role to play in this..develop the nation..to be the richest in the world..so that we can provide..the things..to all..

My work done..

Yes..All of my applications were submitted in entirety. I am free now..Will try to do something useful..Of course..I have UNC interview on 18th and have to preapre for that..with solid answers to the basic questions and then know a little about the emerging economies (India and China)..From US perspective India is on their radar very much and they want to see how the applicants can see the near future..So I have a little work to do over here..Will do it..

Post MBA goals

Ok. Here again comes one more learning..Have i portrayed my post MBA goals to the required extent..Not so it seems..I have not explored much into what type of industries i want to work or want type of functions..So a little worried here..Have to see..How schools look at it..

Transcripts received..By schools

My transcripts were received by schools..For the past few days I am checking the delivery status on indiapost.gov.in and it says the data is not availble and I cursed myself for sending them speed post instead of DHL. Called up the Speed post office in Bangalore and they told that I have to check the status on usps.com. I checked it up and am pretty satisfied..So I saved at least 2000 bucks and no reason to regret now.
The transcripts reached within a week. Now I am cool to write the KELLEY essays..My last arrow aimed..I want to do the best for this..

My journey for MBA..till now..

Reserached on Kelley..It does not seem to be a great school for strategy..And I am not getting the motivation to proceed with the essays.. May be will take a break this weekend and try on monday..All these days of applying has drained me a lot..I have put in 4 applications in the past 15 days and that has taken a toll on me..

There is a bottom line to all this..The desire..The desire to get in to an MBA and a great career there after. OK. I will elaborate on when this idea of getting into a B- School.

I was in my Bachelors at N.I.T Warangal when I happened to lay my hands on a business book that gave details about General motors and some others..Thats the seed..I searched on net and fond out what is business and what they do by meaning bsiness..The jobs seemed lucrative..with money and prestige.. But I continued reading on bsiness and management..
I reasearched rankings and made my mind that I should try to get into the top schools two years down the line after my B.Tech. But you know..Life has its own course and not just what we want to..
I was writing CAT for the past four years and was not able to make much..But I never got disppointed because I was always thinking of the future and never of the past..I happened to think of ISB and there came the thinking of US Schools..

Now the time has come and I am giving my best shot to the world's best b-schools. And I know that this is going to be the last set of arrows I am going to shoot at my dreams..I borrowed 70000 bucks for these apps and I am not going to make the attempt again..I hope the invisible listens..I am thinking that I will get into one of my choice schools and if NOT..I dont know.IF NOT...

Just one more KELLEY to do and wait..But the experience taken the best of mine..Even for my EAMCET, The entrance for B.Tech in Andhra Pradesh, I have not struggled much..I got 185 rank out of more than 100,000. Then GMAT is the easiest of the process..

I pray atleast one school likes me and loves to have me with them..

Application process..

Application process is cming to an end..Of course the important interviews are ahead. But the sumission of the materials in itself is a huge task..That too for an applicant like me who is applying to 7-8 schools. Overall I am happy with my work till now though I lost in the initial days..In the Ross application have submitted today , I have done some last minute changes that were very important. These are about why this school and what this can do..I explained why..But have not done very well what for me..So modified it..

I have just one more application to do..KELLEY. Now have to research what really keeps K apart. I am interested in Strategy and Kelley does not seem to be very great at that and the good thing at kelley seems to be marketing as many students are majoring and there are excellence centers for marketing. Any way I will try to find some more about kelley..

Not applying for R-1..Advantage

Now I am getting to know that i have the advantage of not applying to many schools in R-1.

Now I am getting to know how should I project myself and my interest in the schhol.

As I always say, whatever happens happens for the best..

As an example my essay in wharton application tells that I want to work in International finance after MBA from wharton. Does it make sense? I dont have any exposure to finance and I have not even told what shall i do at Wharton to take up Finance after MBA. Take care guys..After all many people unknowingly fall into the trap of telling the school what the school wants to hear and what their interest is.