Up From the Candy Underground

(page 2 of 2)

Larry Kao
Oxford
MBA Class of 2008

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Fast-Forward 10 Years

My next step was to figure out where I wanted to apply. Most applicants draw up five to 10 schools they would love to attend, hope to attend, and in my case, beg to attend. Researching universities was a tough task. This would probably be my last stop in the world of academia, so it was vital to find a school with the right curriculum, outstanding professors, and, most importantly, the perfect atmosphere. However, just because I found the right school didn't mean the school would see me as the right candidate. I had to express my life story in language my dream schools would understand. I needed to compel them and leave them breathless. One hundred hours of GMAT preparation, 25 essays, and a few interview sessions later, I submitted all of my applications.

Where The Process Gets Funny

When I started the B-school process, I was the beggar. I needed to prove myself to these schools. What's strange is that once that part of the process was over, it was the business schools' turn to impress me.

Some schools used scholarships to lure me. Others used a beautiful welcome weekend with delicious jalapeño cheese bagels, freshly brewed coffee, savory turkey sandwiches on oven-fresh rye, and soda pop. All of them had alumni and current students phone and ensure me I would feel right at home. But no matter which school I looked into, I quickly realized there was one marketing point they all had in common. Every school boasted of a diverse student population with over 40 countries represented. UCLA has a room full of flags on the wall. Duke has flags draped over their hallway. And they all say, "If you're from a country whose flag is not represented yet, we will put one up immediately." That's when I realized I had to go international. Oxford fits this mold perfectly: Oxford students come from 48 countries around the world, the vast majority coming from outside the U.S.

Accepting Oxford's Offer

It's clear every major company has gone global. Staying domestic would be absolutely crippling. Some schools had courses titled "Business in China." Like it or not, all MBA candidates must view strategy from a worldwide perspective. Further, I'm international. Being Chinese-American affords no hiding of my skin color, my family values, and my traditional beliefs. There was no other choice for me but the University of Oxford, a truly international school for a truly international student in a truly international business world.

My name is Lawrence Kao. I've been a system analyst, a scholar athlete, and a musician for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Band. I'm now a full-time buisness school student. I hope to share my experiences at Oxford's Saïd Business School with all of you through the MBA Journals during the 2007-2008 school year.

Larry Kao is an MBA Journal writer and a member of the MBA Class of 2008 at Oxford's Saïd Business School.