Calling Chicago (Booth) Applicants for 2009

Those of you attending the Sept 26 Live event -

Its going to be a tough call whether to try to sneak to a real class or attend the mock. The issue with real classes is twofold - first, if you go in the morning, you miss some fun stuff, if you go in the afternoon you miss important stuff - and second, being that it would be the first class of any class, there is a real chance that a good portion of it would be focused on logistics (when the midterm is, readings, grading, policy, etc) rather than lecture itself. Sometimes some professors do this in the first half of a class, some do it in the second half.

In any case, if you do decide to attend a real class, here's what I suggest:

1. Get there early. Wait for the professor.

2. Ask him or her kindly if you can attend half the class (99.99% will say yes) - but make sure you ask. Some professors will call out those without nametags - i.e. you - if they don't know you are a prospective. Its not a big deal, but its embarrassing if it happens. If you know anyone in the class, have them ask with you. Never hurts if a student is bringing you along.

3. Ask the professor if they will be doing logistics in the first or the second half of class. See if you can attend just half the day by quietly slipping in (or out) at the right time.

4. Don't raise your hand and participate... I know its hard not to, but don't... its just so obvious when someone does.

5. Take some notes. It'll help for writing essays. What was the subject? What was the case? What did you enjoy? Name of professor, name of class. Small details, but helpful if you can't recall them a month later. (particularly if you are R2).

6. Sit in the back row if there is space, near an exit so you can slip out quietly.

7. If the opportunity comes up at the break or at the end, thank the professor at the end. It wont help your chances but its just polite.

8. Don't bring a bag of chips, ruffle the bag and loudly munch during the lecture. Apples are bad too. Yes, we can all hear you biting into it. If you do bring something to eat, just finish it quickly. Better yet, eat before. Seriously. I don't know why, but there's always someone that does this. Turn off cell phones. Again not the end of the world if it rings, but you will feel like a total ass if it does.

Now onto the classes...

Here's whats on for that day.

The morning:
30116-01 Autumn 2008 Accounting and Financial Analysis I Skinner, Douglas F 08:30-11:30: The Jon S. Corzine Foundation Classroom-HCC01

33001-03 Autumn 2008 Microeconomics Carlton, Dennis F 08:30-11:30: Lehman Brothers Classroom-HCC02

34102-01 Autumn 2008 New Venture Strategy Schrager, James F 08:30-11:30: The Eugene F. Fama Classroom-HCC03

41000-01 Autumn 2008 Business Statistics Bester, C. F 08:30-11:30: Lecture Hall C09


I would recommend Stats with Bester, he's fabulous, young, energetic and knows how to bring a boring subject to life. I know nothing about Carlton. Skinner is supposed to be good. Schrager is arguably one of the most popular professors in the school and his class is supposed to be absolutely phenomenal. With the exception of Private Equity Finance, it's probably the 2nd most expensive course at the GSB. Expect both Bester and Schrager to be full, and your ability to sit in will largely depend on your ability to get there early.

Afternoon Classes:

30000-03 Autumn 2008 Financial Accounting Christensen, Hans F 13:30-16:30: The PIMCO Classroom-HCC07

30000-04 Autumn 2008 Financial Accounting Nikolaev, Valeri F 13:30-16:30: The Sidney Davidson Classroom-HCC04

30116-02 Autumn 2008 Accounting and Financial Analysis I Soffer, Leonard F 13:30-16:30: Lecture Hall C05

33001-02 Autumn 2008 Microeconomics Cortes, Patricia F 13:30-16:30: The Credit Suisse First Boston Classroom-HCC08

34103-01 Autumn 2008 Building the New Venture Deutsch, Waverly F 13:30-16:30: The Eugene F. Fama Classroom-HCC03

35130-01 Autumn 2008 Fixed Income Asset Pricing Veronesi, Pietro F 13:30-16:30: Lecture Hall C06

41100-01 Autumn 2008 Applied Regression Analysis Taddy, Matt F 13:30-16:30: The Jon S. Corzine Foundation Classroom-HCC01

42001-01 Autumn 2008 Competitive Strategy Knez, Marc F 13:30-16:30: Lehman Brothers Classroom-HCC02


I would recommend Knez and Deutcsh as first choices - both quite popular and the subjects are interesting - Veronesi and Soffer as second (or first if that subject matter is more your thing). I know nothing about Taddy or Nikoleav.

The other option of course is to just do what they have planned for you and you will have a perfectly fine time with that as well, but I wanted to post this in case some of you feel compelled to go to something real.

Either way, I'll be around at 4.30.

Final note, there is one particular advantage to coming on that Friday that I hadn't thought of.

That day is particular in that all the clubs will be having their first year sign ups, so it'll be a bit of a madhouse, but its an added bonus for you guys because you can get some more insight into whatever you are interested in and you can easily learn about clubs you might otherwise not know about. DONT BE SHY. Go talk to people.

Here is a map of what will be where. Click for bigger.



Also, it wont be advertised, but on Saturday all the student groups will having events for the first years. Prospective students technically aren't invited, but no one would have a clue if you showed up....just don't tell people about it on Friday. Its just presentations, and often there is a ton of space in each room anyway. If you want to learn more about anything, Saturday is a good opportunity to do so. If your are nervous about crashing it, I don't mind having a few people come as "my guests", just PM me.