Current Student
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 392
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Atlanta, GA
Concentration: Organization and Management
Schools:Emory class of 2010
Q49 V44
[#permalink]
10 Dec 2007, 11:09
This is also posted in my member profile, but I figured it should also go here.
Inspired by RiverRipper's Story
Emoryhopeful's MBA Journey
Here I am, on cloud nine, after finding out this morning that I am in at the only school that truly piqued my interest, Emory. Not only have I gotten a phone call, but also an e-mail confirming my admit along with a scholarship. Its truly been a roundabout path to end up at the MBA destination.
Honestly, the idea of an MBA was tossed around a few times between myself and others during undergrad. But, that was only because we were naive and thought, man with a chemical engineering degree and an MBA we automatically make tons of money. Yet, we had no idea what an MBA was. Hell, we didn't even know what a chemical engineer did at the time.
What really made me strongly consider the possibilites of an MBA is two fold. One, a couple of these same guys that I had talked with in undergrad are now recent grads of both Harvard and Cornell MBA's respectively. They let me know that their experiences have been nothing short of amazing, and that they thought I would be a great fit. The second, more glaring reason, was my current job function. I work for a small engineering staffing agency that, quite frankly, doesn't have a lot of mobility as far as moving up in the company. The workload continues to increase, but the salary and management opportunities do not. Also, I saw a glaring need in the staffing industry. Most of the companies are started by people who have done the work, i.e. engineers, but have zero business savvy. Many of the smaller staffing companies are missing on huge profits just because of poor business sense. I get the feeling that many companies have good ideas, and can survive in the market, but with great leadership and a strong business strategy, they could thrive. Hence, the MBA.
This really only became a possible realization 6 months ago. I had not done any research other than asking my friends how they did on the GMAT, thinking I could get a comparative score. At the time, I didn't even know what it meant as far as admissions was concerned. Having just recently moved to Atlanta, and being recently engaged, I didn't want to leave the Atlanta area. So, I pegged the best school in the area, Emory. Come to find out, its nationally ranked, and a Great school, especially if I want to find work in the southeast after graduation. So, I see their averages, 3.4 gpa, 690 GMAT. I know my gpa is awful, so I need to kill the GMAT, and even then, I thought Emory was a reach.
Now, from my experiences in undergrad, I know I'm lazy and terrible when I feel no pressure regarding tests. Honestly, just about every class with any difficulty, I failed the first test, then needed to get an A on the final to pass the class. So, testing under pressure was my forte. Needless to say, I hadn't joined the GMATClub yet, so I bought the Kaplan Premiere program and Kaplan 800. I read through them slowly but surely. I think these really helped refresh my memory on many of the important concepts. Then, I found GMATClub and started to really challenge myself with understanding my weaknesses. Anyways, test day comes and I am so psyched. I feel like I'm competing in the biggest soccer match of my career, or the biggest race I've ever run. I killed it with a 760 and my whole mindset changed. I am good enough.
In undergrad, I was immature and headstrong. That cost me, A LOT. I took 6 years to graduate after failing 2 classes, that were in my major. The biggest problem, looking back, wasn't the material, it never stumped me, but I completely disagreed with how the professors went about their business. And I let them know it. Let's just say, that's a bad idea. It killed my gpa and killed my job opportunities right out of college. I scrounged for a year and a half as a bartender, making ends meet. But, serious doubts come into your mind. Why do I continue to try and find a job in engineering, why did I get that degree. I'm smart and motivated, why am I a failure. Why won't anyone just give me a damn chance. I am a kick ass worker.
Guess what. I stuck with it. Landed my engineering job. Found my future wife. Made the move to Atlanta, and the move into business development. I am determined to prove to anyone that gives me a chance that "I am good enough". Thank you Emory, you will not regret your decision. This is my chance at redemption, my chance to erase the immaturity I once showed. For anyone who has failed, no matter what the reason, get back up. Believe me, success after failure is very very rewarding.
Also, just an additional note. I've been told time and time again that I should have applied to M7 schools. And you know what, maybe I should have. But, I didn't want to go to any of them. I felt right when I was at Emory and I feel that they will only grow in respect with time. I want to be a part of what makes Emory tick, what makes it move up in the rankings. Remember don't just pick a school because of rankings, pick a school because that's where you want to be.
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