1 - 4 month mark: share your rants, raves and war stories

kryzak, I probably agree that Kellogg has a better brand than Haas, but my point was that other top-6 schools outweigh Kellogg. Again, that's just a perception I got from my talks with classmates, nothing specific.

Again, Haas does open doors. We had a project we had to do with a random company, and wherever we called - the C-level people were happy to talk with us.

As to Stanford people being arrogant, I heard this quite a few times from different people (including those who visited campus). I met them just once, they were not actually arrogant, but there was this "I'm elite" feel about them. They DO think we're second-tier They probably think everybody in the world is second-tier. (And to certain extent they're right, haha. Just kidding.)

hahaha, yes, I think that's kind of what I meant by "aloof". They are polite and nice and laid back, but you know somewhere in the back of their minds, they think you're "second-tier". At least they're not obvious about it, like HBS

As for Kellogg, based on applicant perception (which is probably different from those already in b-school), I think it's up there in terms of general brand. Definitely behind H/S/W, and maybe tied or just below Chicago. It definitely seems that people would prefer the Kellogg brand (applicants that is, not recruiters) over MIT and Columbia. But again, that's just my feel from the application process.

you guys won't believe how much you stop thinking about this stuff once you're in. At least, no one's talking to me about it. You are where you are and you're going to do what you're going to do. Who cares what HBS et companie are doing. (No offense, L, your school just gets the coveted "we're the number 1" role when talking about rankings...)

I actually AM in, but didn't stop thinking about it. And as far as I see, *everyone* is still thinking about it.

Great thread this, especially for those like myself who're still watching from the sidelines.

Funny monkey. Perhaps you "laid-back" Berkeley folks aren't as laid back as you claim. Or maybe I'm so laid back I don't hear the rumblings around me.

Haha I think it's just you aaudetat People ARE quite laid-back in general, but still they DO want to get an internship (and/or a job), and that's where all these concerns spring in.

well, this is the Aaudetat who was originally ok with not going after the guy who ran into her bike... you can't get more laid back than that (this was meant in the most complimentary way possible, Aau )

Yeah, I think that's how it's coming down for me in b-school, which is kinda of funny. Most people think I'm really intense, a little crazy, and a total type a. But throw me in with a bunch of b-schoolers, and I come off a bit differently.

AAu's guide to applying b-school:
Come up with places you like. Don't worry about the rankings. You'll get to where you need to go.
Shoot off a bunch of essays in 4 weeks. Recycle as much material as possible.
Don't worry about visiting, etc. You know what you need - you'll get the info from the web.
Don't practice for interviews. Read one of those books and make notes in the margins. You know who you are.
Above all, don't do a NPV calculation. Life's a journey. It's about so much more than money.

AAu's guide to being in b-school:
Do well in some classes. Don't worry about a few. Ace a few too.
Recruiting's all well and good, but don't let it stress you out.
Schoozing to get by is lame. If you like someone, reach out to them.
There are lots of jobs out there. You'll get one.
Embrace the hard stuff. If it weren't hard, it wouldn't be worth it.
Make friends. With the i-bankers, the marketers, the int'ls, and anyone else.
Above all, love your section.

wow AAu, those are great words of advice. Can I repost it in the apps forum for more visibility? I think I'm 100% with you on those!

...hmm... so I am not that different after all...

Sure, my ramblings your ramblings.

Hello Everyone,
It has been a while since I posted. All I can say is the last few months have been an amazing experience. I'll get on with the rants & raves.

Rants:
Lack of sleep
Too much Papa Johns Pizza
Spent way too much money
Our football team didn't do to well this year

Raves:
The people in my class are great, coming from very unique and interesting backgrounds
Made a lot of friends
127 people in my class, I've met all of them
Always something going on
Collaborative environment
Alumni helping out for jobs/internships
The professors have been outstanding so far
Tailgates were fantastic even though our team didn't do well
Ease of getting an internship - already secured one, had two offers before winter break (I am a career changer)
I'm learning a lot
My group was great
Great Intramural sports
As someone posted earlier, the feeling that anything is possible

I can't do it.... I need more sleep.. This week has been 18 hours a day of work, every day...

you do too much. chill out.

yeah, don't work yourself to death, rhyme... You don't have to attend *everything*

Hey! We do your (1) option at HBS! It's called hell week and'll take place in early Feb for our summer internships. The only difference is: interview Monday through Weds, Thursday/Friday they might fly you somewhere for a 2nd interview. Before that, of course, there was some schmoozing, but as long as you target a reasonable quantity of companies or industries it's not as tough.

L.