Obtaining an MBA is something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember. If some of you remember a few years back I got accepted to Arizona State's MBA program, but the rather sudden move back to Boston in 2008 put that hope on hold, err stop. I don't know how long I'll be staying in Boston this time around, but as far as I know it's indefinite. But who really knows? Regardless, I still had high hopes for getting an MBA, so being in Boston ultimately turned out to be fortuitous since it offered so many great schools nearby.
Starting the MBA research all over again was a daunting task, but having lived out in Boston growing up I was already relatively familiar with the schools in the area. I took it upon myself to find the best program for me all while taking into account a number of different things like cost, location, student satisfaction, curriculum, ROI, etc., as well as rankings and accreditation.
I won't bore you with the details of my decision making, but to make a long story short I had a brief list of schools I wanted to personally visit: Boston University, Northeastern, and Bentley. Also Suffolk and Babson were on the radar, too.
I knew that Boston University was the #1 ranked part-time program in Boston, so there was definitely something they are doing well. I went to one informational session, talked with a few members of the admission council as well as a handful of current students and I was smitten. The more I researched it and read up on the school, the more I felt that BU would be a great fit for me. Additionally, the staff at the graduate admissions office were extremely professional and always returned correspondence within a day! (Would you believe that I emailed a few other schools requesting more information about their programs and they never emailed me back!?!).
The application process for BU's program was extensive: four essays(!), two "letters" of recommendations which turned out to be more of an intensive questionnaire on the candidate you were recommending, and a one-on-one interview, not to mention the usuals...college transcripts, resume, GMAT scores, etc. As far as I know, BU is the only school that required an interview for their part-time program and that meant alot to me. It really shows you how hard they are actively finding the right professionals for their program.
My GMAT scores were lower than I would have liked, but I think my undergrad GPA, work experience, etc, was up to par with other applicants. The days leading up to the interview were nerve-racking, but it ultimately ended well. My interviewer, Liz, was an angel and made the experience very comfortable.
After the interview, things we out of my hands - I had done all I could do and then it became a waiting game...and wait I did! I was supposed to have a decision mailed to me by 15 April, but after 19 April I still hadn't heard word back. Turns out there was a slight "miss-filing" at the admissions office, so they basically told me via email that I was accepted! Yea! ( I still haven't received my official letter in the mail yet!) I was extremely nervous waiting for a decision. I can't even tell you what a relief it was to get accepted! And good thing I did get accepted - it was the only school I applied to, and quite frankly, the only school I wanted to go to. Trust me, I did not want to deal with applying to other schools and going through their application process!
Starting the MBA research all over again was a daunting task, but having lived out in Boston growing up I was already relatively familiar with the schools in the area. I took it upon myself to find the best program for me all while taking into account a number of different things like cost, location, student satisfaction, curriculum, ROI, etc., as well as rankings and accreditation.
I won't bore you with the details of my decision making, but to make a long story short I had a brief list of schools I wanted to personally visit: Boston University, Northeastern, and Bentley. Also Suffolk and Babson were on the radar, too.
I knew that Boston University was the #1 ranked part-time program in Boston, so there was definitely something they are doing well. I went to one informational session, talked with a few members of the admission council as well as a handful of current students and I was smitten. The more I researched it and read up on the school, the more I felt that BU would be a great fit for me. Additionally, the staff at the graduate admissions office were extremely professional and always returned correspondence within a day! (Would you believe that I emailed a few other schools requesting more information about their programs and they never emailed me back!?!).
The application process for BU's program was extensive: four essays(!), two "letters" of recommendations which turned out to be more of an intensive questionnaire on the candidate you were recommending, and a one-on-one interview, not to mention the usuals...college transcripts, resume, GMAT scores, etc. As far as I know, BU is the only school that required an interview for their part-time program and that meant alot to me. It really shows you how hard they are actively finding the right professionals for their program.
My GMAT scores were lower than I would have liked, but I think my undergrad GPA, work experience, etc, was up to par with other applicants. The days leading up to the interview were nerve-racking, but it ultimately ended well. My interviewer, Liz, was an angel and made the experience very comfortable.
After the interview, things we out of my hands - I had done all I could do and then it became a waiting game...and wait I did! I was supposed to have a decision mailed to me by 15 April, but after 19 April I still hadn't heard word back. Turns out there was a slight "miss-filing" at the admissions office, so they basically told me via email that I was accepted! Yea! ( I still haven't received my official letter in the mail yet!) I was extremely nervous waiting for a decision. I can't even tell you what a relief it was to get accepted! And good thing I did get accepted - it was the only school I applied to, and quite frankly, the only school I wanted to go to. Trust me, I did not want to deal with applying to other schools and going through their application process!
I will always be a BYU supporter at heart and forever a die-hard Cougar fan, but I never had intentions of going to BYU for a graduate program. I had the BYU experience as an undergrad and definitely wanted a change. I hope I can represent BYU well during the next three years. I also feel slightly disappointed that I never got a chance to go to Arizona State, but after all is said and done, Boston University's part-time MBA program ranks well ahead of BYU and ASU, so things have turned out great so far. Rankings aside, I'm very comfortable with my decision.
Despite being out of study mode for about seven years, I'm really excited for the program to begin. But better late than never right!?! I've since joined the ubiquitous Facebook page for the incoming students and have learned that other great schools across the country will be represented in the program: Stanford, UCLA, George Washington, Bentley, Brown, U of Florida, Holy Cross, to name a few. I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit intimidated, but I know I can hang. Three years is a long time. Here we go...now the hard part begins.
Despite being out of study mode for about seven years, I'm really excited for the program to begin. But better late than never right!?! I've since joined the ubiquitous Facebook page for the incoming students and have learned that other great schools across the country will be represented in the program: Stanford, UCLA, George Washington, Bentley, Brown, U of Florida, Holy Cross, to name a few. I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit intimidated, but I know I can hang. Three years is a long time. Here we go...now the hard part begins.
6 comments:
Hey, BU is just one letter short of BYU...
Congrats brother. I'm really excited for you! You'll do great. Why is it three years long and not two? Do you get the summers off?
Congrats! I am SO excited to see where this takes you, and super proud of you too!
Congratulations! Don't be intimidated - you will do great!
Congratulations! Going to school again will be such a big adjustment but you see so ready for it. Especially with all the prep work you had to do applying - that shows your dedicated.
Congrats Chris!! That's great! Best of luck to you on your new adventure!
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