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DECEMBER 2003 MBA JOURNAL: ADMISSIONS & ORIENTATION Darius Brown: Admissions, Pre-Term, and Orientation [Page 2 of 2]
The good news is that I was never asked a question like that in any of the interviews went on. In fact, I think you're more likely to find a question like this in the essay section. M.C.N.B.O. is that this is one of the easier parts of the application process and that, after not following directions; this is probably where most people absolutely blow it. 1. Don't be late I'm not going to insult anyone by telling you why this is important. 2. Wear business formal attire - With all that you have on the line, I felt it was better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. 3. Know yourself While you might not have to deal with the "tree" question, you will likely be asked to provide a bit more detail about exactly how the program fits in with your future goals. Lucky for you, you've likely already tackled that in topic in one of your essays. Now, take out that 3,000-word, pre-edited essay you kept, and re-read it for some ideas. 4. Don't be late (see bullet #1) 5. Know what you wrote in your application You should never have a "did-I-write-that?" surprised look on your face when the interviewer asks you for more detail regarding something they read in your application. Take some time to refresh yourself on what you've written; especially if you're applying to multiple schools. 6. Who's interviewing whom? - Take the opportunity to ask tough, fair, and relevant questions about the school. Validate that the thoughts you had when you started the application still hold true. You'll be investing a lot of time and a great deal of money, so to quote a classic Stevie Wonder song, "Be sure, you're sure!" 7. Don't be late (see bullet #1) 8. Do a spot check for the essentials - Five minutes before "Showtime", head to the bathroom and do a quick check of the Big 3: food in teeth, stuff in nose, and breath. Yes, yes you all laugh but think about it. You know that awkward and uncomfortable feeling you get when dealing with individuals that don't check the Big 3? People on the admission staff are human as well and they get those same feelings. 9. Send a thank you note to the person or people you interviewed with - M.C.N.B.O. is that this is just good form. Besides, it's another chance to remind the interviewer of your discussion and to show you're attentive to "the little things". Pre-Term... "Tell them what they've won, Johnny!" As I mentioned in my last journal, I got the acceptance call in April -- a call that was quickly followed by a request for a non-refundable deposit of $2,500. Laying down this money was like getting engaged... I still had the option to pull out but it would cost me. For my demonstration of commitment I got access to the (drum roll please)... EMBA-Global Orientation Web site. Like a kid with a new toy, I spent a lot of time on this Web site, which included a student face book and bios. When you get accepted to a B-school, I encourage you to take advantage of the admitted students' Web site. Every night there was a newly accepted student adding his or her unique input onto the conversation threads. The site also included clarification on the pre-term homework assignments. I definitely think the site helps students begin bonding prior to the start of class. Another thing a commitment to spend $112K buys you; no standing in line at the bookstore! All books, assigned readings, and the program schedule were shipped right to my front door. Although, I will admit that based on the number of books that showed up, I thought they had sent me the materials for the entire 20 months of the program in the first package! On-site Orientation: London here I come! On May 10 many of the students in the new EMBA-Global class of 2005 took the walk from London's the Sherlock Holmes Hotel (our designated hotel for all of our London sessions) up Baker Street, across Marlybone Road, and up to Regents Park for our first taste of class at London Business School. The first day was a Microsoft Excel review. The class was optional, and I had really gone just to get out my hotel room. I must confess that I really didn't expect to learn that much. I mean I was a "Big 5" consultant for nine years. Of course, I ended up learning more about Excel in those few hours than I had in my entire professional career up to that point. It was my first lesson in the "you don't know as much as you think" EMBA program and I knew it was not going to be the last. If your school does do some sort of optional pre-class activity, it's a great way to ease into the flow. At the end of that first day I think all of us were enthused and enegerized, our bellies full from the treats available to us during coffee breaks. The rest of the afternoon consisted of going back to the hotel, grabbing a quick nap, and then getting some dinner. We hung out at the bar in the Sherlock Holmes talking, connecting names from the online face book to actual people, introducing ourselves, and simply relaxing. As I headed back to my room, I counted myself lucky and nervous all at the same time. I laid my head on my comfy pillow and rested up for the day ahead, May 11, the first official day of EMBA-Global classes. Thanks for reading the second entry. Next time... An academic and social review of the first semester.
  Feel free to email Darius at: emba_global_bw@att.net.
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