Oxford (Said) 2013 - Calling All Applicants

And I've finally DHL-ed my transcripts. A week to go. I like that Said is one of the first universities to give the final decision - an accept / ding early on is much more helpful!

[/quote] Also...only about a week away from Round 1 decisions!!![/quote]

This "less than week" countdown always give jitters. Hope after a week we will rejoice

I had my interview on Skype on Wednesday... Well it was supposed to be through Skype but the interviewer couldn't hear my audio. I'm convinced it was something wrong on his side because I use Skype regularly with no problem.. Even tried using a headset and he still couldn't hear. Anyway, he then phoned me and we kept the Skype video on, but then midway through it my internet went wacky so the video stopped.. The whole ordeal lost about 5 minutes of interview time, so my interview was only about 25 minutes. Just hoping this doesn't have a negative impact!

I think Oxford SBS has one of the better designed career services anywhere. First, there is a specific person assigned to each of the major industries (Consulting, Finance, Industry, Tech), then you have access to has 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with sector consultants (fellows of the school who have worked in your targeted industry). Then there are usual assistance such as connecting you to specific company recruiters, alumni in specific companies, organizing presentations and so on.

The issue is students don't want to work. Let me explain. If you are coming to UK looking for a job in investment banking or M&A or trading, and you don't get a job, don't come running saying the career services is worthless. Bulge bracket class sizes are in teens (compared to triple digit numbers few years back) and if they must fill these classes why not fill it with undergrads. Do you have previous experience working in M&A analyst and are looking to go work for your preferred bank as an associate or perhaps move to PE or hedge fund. I am sure you will have no problems finding your preferred job. But, if you have technology consulting experience and you have an unrealistic goal of a job in PE or HF, then tell who here is at fault.

Does that mean switching over to finance is impossible? No, its easier in a two year program where you have a chance of a four month internship.

Recently, I went to two presentations of couple of largest oil and gas companies (I never wanted to work for them, just wanted to make sure). The one in London had zero other MBA representation from Said. Sure, London is an hour away. But, if I knew about it and got an invitation, someone looking for a job should have made it there. That doesn't mean Said MBAs are lazy. That means that none of them want to work for that oil & gas company. There are so many in class whose career goals are social enterprise. Of course, you will never see them looking for a traditional job.

Back to internship. lbkova - I have to say, you haven't done enough research regarding this. There are two kinds of internships at Said. Pre-MBA and post-MBA. Pre-MBA internships are available to those who have relevant industry knowledge. This should be obvious if you think from the hiring companies perspective. You don't have any industry background and you don't have business knowledge why should they hire and pay you for 2 months when you are essentially worthless to them.

Post-MBA internships are only if you don't want a strategic consulting project. Strategic consulting projects are not only more lucrative in terms of their variety and offering, but in terms of the level of work you do. People have worked in all kinds of industries, geographies in the past. Someone I knew did one at Ferrari's headquarters. Someone else spent the two months consulting for a shipping company in Greece (I think that particular group spent every afternoon on the beach).

Hopefully, this answers your questions/concerns. If any of you have a industry/function specific career question, feel free to ask. If I can't help you, I will connect with someone with relevant experience from the class.

It was nice meeting those of you that came to the interview day today. Expect to hear your results earlier than Friday. Sometimes Said starts emailing people as early as Monday/Tuesday.

This is a great thread!!
Thanks to all the current student and alumni for your wonderful experience and tips!!!

Some queries I have
1. I heard about banking. What is the situation for consulting especially for someone with a tech background looking to change industry with a degree?
2. Cambridge requires 3 years work exp from applicants while Said doesn't. Is it implied or does Said have a lower age average and work exp criterion.

I am confused with Oxford MBA and applying for a PhD at London business School (a very odd decision for relatively inexperienced candidate but something I am interested in )
Can anyone guide me about the financial aid possibilities at Said and possibility to continue on to a PhD in business.

Regards
Aditya

Once again, another great post sanjuro9, thanks for all the information. That would be fantastic if we received our results prior to Friday! I'm coming up on the Go-Live of an 18mo systems implementation project with my current employer, so my life is a little crazy at the moment, but the thought of (hopefully) good news is keeping me especially motivated this week.

Cheers!

That actually makes me worry - if I dont hear by late Thursday, it ll be a ding on Friday!

I'm hoping we all hear at roughly the same time, that should at least cut down on some unneeded stress. On that note, assuming no one else heard anything today, it looks like we're waiting until at least tomorrow (Wednesday) for any word as it's past 6:00pm in the UK at the moment.

Anyway, thank you for your answers and help! I really appreciate it. I don't want to look fault-finding, but this is a really big (investment) decision for all of us, so I try to gather as much info as I can before saying yes to the offer from any school.

During interviews adcom suggested that it can do early decisions based on individual's circumstances. Just curious, did anybody ask for early decision? and got any news from SAID yet?

Another day, another empty inbox. Any other R1 applicants receive a decision? Looking back at the Oxford 2012 thread, R1 started getting their decisions on Wednesday the week of the deadline, so we may yet receive word today, although things can certainly change from year-to-year.

For reference (the 2012 thread): oxford-said-business-school-2012-applicants-117709-80.html

Oh wow, is it that time of the year already? Good luck guys! I hope it's good news for everyone here.

I'll be applying to round 2, if I don't slack off during the holidays. Hah!

yeah ... i had checked the last year's thread as well and was really hoping that today would be the d-day. another hour before the day closes in the UK. but don't think they will send anything today. tomorrow maybe. my interview call came a day before the deadline so maybe this year everything is only a day before.
best of luck to all those waiting!

I am so f-ing nervous... come on Saïd.

Same here, I'm going crazy constantly checking my email. Oh well, it looks like another day has passed, best of luck tomorrow everyone!

The wait continues.. Could today be D-Day? Does anyone know if Said announces on its FB / Twitter if its releasing the decisions soon?