Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 2007:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
18 Feb 2011, 14:31
Kudos
Bookmarks
This past weekend was the Admit weekend for Round 1 applicants. I was unable to attend Friday's events but from what I heard they were well organized and fun. From what I recall, Friday's events included an introductory speech by the b-school Dean, a mock class with a finance professor, breakfast/lunch with current students, a presentation with the career center folks, and then prospective students were invited to join current students for drinks at a local watering hole in Georgetown.
I drove from NYC at 4:30am, settled into my hotel in DC, and then made my way over to Gtown a bit after 9am. I toured the building (which is incredible) and explored the area within the immediate proximity of the Hariri building. From there we enjoyed a small breakfast with current students and then were given a presentation by current students regarding housing. The presentation was very well organized and the students were impressive. We then had a presentation with a lady from the student services office that reviewed the Georgetown curriculum, study abroad opportunities, and the unique structure/interactions of each class and cohort of students. This presentation was followed by lunch (sandwhichs and wraps..pretty good) with fellow applicants and strategically placed first-year students. I was pleased to hear some students discuss the relatively successful results that they have encountered thus far in their internship searches. I was pleased to hear that many of the tops companies within my prospective industry (finance) recruit McDonough thoroughly. I will admit that the lunch itself was overshadowed by the amazing view from the banquet hall that the meal was held within. It was absurd. The afternoon continued with a presentation from current students that discussed clubs, classes, and life at Gtown. Of course all presentations were interactive and we were incouraged to ask any questions that we may have had. Finally, and perhaps most impressively, a panel of alumni was assembled and spoke to us with regards to their experience at McDonough and their experience as alums. These alums went on to careers ranging from PE to consulting to government. I was moved by their passion and love towards the school. The evening wrapped up with a banquet held in the same top-floor auditorium that housed our lunch. Caterers had set up tables where they served drinks (beer, wine, cocktails, etc) and prospective students mingled with current students, alums, and MBA program reps. It was a nice way to end the night
In all, I was very impressed by what I had a chance to see at Georgetown and it seemed as though other admits shared in my euphoria. I went into the weekend leaning towards attending McDonough (unless I am accepted off of Duke's waitlist) over Goizueta and this weekend may have clinched it. There was a certain energy or aura within the confines of the b-school and its students that gave me the impression that Georgetown is special and exciting place to be at this point. I am not one to base every decision off of rankings, however after visiting other schools and putting each into perspective, I would be inclined to wager that Georgetown will rise through the ranks in the coming years with a stronger applicant/student base and a terrific professional network within key industries.
On a side note, unfortunately I did not receive any merit-based aid from Gtown at the time of my application. I did receive aid, albeit small ($10k per year) from Emory which is the other option that I am most strongly considering. I contacted Georgetown hoping that they might match or reconsider an offer and they essentially called my bluff and wont budge. I am still leaning towards Georgetown (again, provided Duke doesnt accept me off of the WL) but the decision is certainly more difficult.
I drove from NYC at 4:30am, settled into my hotel in DC, and then made my way over to Gtown a bit after 9am. I toured the building (which is incredible) and explored the area within the immediate proximity of the Hariri building. From there we enjoyed a small breakfast with current students and then were given a presentation by current students regarding housing. The presentation was very well organized and the students were impressive. We then had a presentation with a lady from the student services office that reviewed the Georgetown curriculum, study abroad opportunities, and the unique structure/interactions of each class and cohort of students. This presentation was followed by lunch (sandwhichs and wraps..pretty good) with fellow applicants and strategically placed first-year students. I was pleased to hear some students discuss the relatively successful results that they have encountered thus far in their internship searches. I was pleased to hear that many of the tops companies within my prospective industry (finance) recruit McDonough thoroughly. I will admit that the lunch itself was overshadowed by the amazing view from the banquet hall that the meal was held within. It was absurd. The afternoon continued with a presentation from current students that discussed clubs, classes, and life at Gtown. Of course all presentations were interactive and we were incouraged to ask any questions that we may have had. Finally, and perhaps most impressively, a panel of alumni was assembled and spoke to us with regards to their experience at McDonough and their experience as alums. These alums went on to careers ranging from PE to consulting to government. I was moved by their passion and love towards the school. The evening wrapped up with a banquet held in the same top-floor auditorium that housed our lunch. Caterers had set up tables where they served drinks (beer, wine, cocktails, etc) and prospective students mingled with current students, alums, and MBA program reps. It was a nice way to end the night
In all, I was very impressed by what I had a chance to see at Georgetown and it seemed as though other admits shared in my euphoria. I went into the weekend leaning towards attending McDonough (unless I am accepted off of Duke's waitlist) over Goizueta and this weekend may have clinched it. There was a certain energy or aura within the confines of the b-school and its students that gave me the impression that Georgetown is special and exciting place to be at this point. I am not one to base every decision off of rankings, however after visiting other schools and putting each into perspective, I would be inclined to wager that Georgetown will rise through the ranks in the coming years with a stronger applicant/student base and a terrific professional network within key industries.
On a side note, unfortunately I did not receive any merit-based aid from Gtown at the time of my application. I did receive aid, albeit small ($10k per year) from Emory which is the other option that I am most strongly considering. I contacted Georgetown hoping that they might match or reconsider an offer and they essentially called my bluff and wont budge. I am still leaning towards Georgetown (again, provided Duke doesnt accept me off of the WL) but the decision is certainly more difficult.
19 Feb 2011, 15:49
Kudos
Bookmarks
NGgator60
Thanks for the great writeup! I agree about the space in the Hariri building you're referring to. We ate lunch there during the Diversity Day presentations. It's fabulous. The view will probably be even better when the construction outside is finished (although I'm not sure what they are building).
I think you're spot on about Georgetown rising in the ranks. If only because it's associated with such a great university that seems willing to give the school the financing it needs to compete. Also: location, location, location.
Let us know when you end up making your final decision. It sounds like you have some really good options. I went to an info sessions for Duke, but ended up not applying there. Mostly because they didn't offer the dual degree options I was looking for outside of the university (G-town doesn't either - but they have a strong MA program in the field I'm interested in). I would also much rather be in DC, even if that means I'd be at a school that is a bit further down in the rankings. Also, I really dislike college basketball. That may be a silly reason not to go to a particular MBA program, but I'm from NC originally and I know firsthand how crazy people around there get about their teams. All the current students/alumni that spoke at the Duke event I attended mentioned how great it was to attend games and discuss the team's performance during networking events with alumni. No thanks!
I hear Georgetown has a basketball team too - but I think it might be a bit easier to leave it in the background (fingers crossed).
19 Feb 2011, 16:43
Kudos
Bookmarks
To build off of a couple of points I mentioned in my previous post...
I spoke with a number of students regarding the various publications that rank MBA programs and their thoughts on Georgetown's position. The students all were in unison that almost every aspect of the MBA program has been reformed or revamped recently in an effort to raise the profile of McDonough to that of the university's other schools and programs. One student told me that the current dean, who arrived recently, was much heralded upon coming to Gtown (he was the former dean of Stern) and essentially told the university that he needed the b-school to be autonomous from the other school's within Georgetown. This allowed McDonough to have its own endowment fund (and subsequently the new building) and allows the school to be agile in whatever restructuring it feels necessary to compete with elite programs. Now, for better of for worse, the dean will be departing next year to take a 1-year leave of absence and then plans to return to McDonough as a professor. I would hope the the next dean is as successful in advancing the agenda of Georgetown's MBA program.
One aspect of Welcome Weekend that was endearing to me was the apparent strength of the other accepted applicants. Of course I have no idea if these prospective students will enroll to McDonough but it seems as though Gtown is becoming more selective than I previously thought. By no means would I have any misconceptions that I am a premium candidate for most top 25 schools with my rather pedestrian GMAT score but I was very confident in the other aspects of my applications. At first I felt a bit slighted with the absence of a scholarship offer but I hope to discover that it speaks to the higher quality of other applicants.
I spoke with a number of students regarding the various publications that rank MBA programs and their thoughts on Georgetown's position. The students all were in unison that almost every aspect of the MBA program has been reformed or revamped recently in an effort to raise the profile of McDonough to that of the university's other schools and programs. One student told me that the current dean, who arrived recently, was much heralded upon coming to Gtown (he was the former dean of Stern) and essentially told the university that he needed the b-school to be autonomous from the other school's within Georgetown. This allowed McDonough to have its own endowment fund (and subsequently the new building) and allows the school to be agile in whatever restructuring it feels necessary to compete with elite programs. Now, for better of for worse, the dean will be departing next year to take a 1-year leave of absence and then plans to return to McDonough as a professor. I would hope the the next dean is as successful in advancing the agenda of Georgetown's MBA program.
One aspect of Welcome Weekend that was endearing to me was the apparent strength of the other accepted applicants. Of course I have no idea if these prospective students will enroll to McDonough but it seems as though Gtown is becoming more selective than I previously thought. By no means would I have any misconceptions that I am a premium candidate for most top 25 schools with my rather pedestrian GMAT score but I was very confident in the other aspects of my applications. At first I felt a bit slighted with the absence of a scholarship offer but I hope to discover that it speaks to the higher quality of other applicants.
