Checklist for things to do before we begin MBA

Question

There are lots of things to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) Read the following websites -
https://www.vault.com/nr/hottopiclist.js ... at_id=2294
https://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Sloan-School- ... /index.htm
https://gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=41579
https://chunkypitbullmba.blogspot.com/
https://www.vault.com/nr/newsmain.jsp?nr ... at_id=2294
https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/ ... ustry.html

Read all the stickys in this and abt Consulting
https://gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=108

Do all the stuff from here for Cornell -
https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/newstude ... _info.html
https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/newstude ... _prep.html

2) Buy laptop
Decide - IBM T60, T40, HP, Sony Viao?
https://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2767

3) Decide on the place to live Email aaudeat on good places around Cornell University

4) Get my Resume ready

5) Network with alums from Cornell - to understand the different industries -
VC/PE, Tech Mgmt, MC/SC

I am sure I missed a lot!!!!!!!!!!

Whats on your checklist?

I am looking into developing a checklist from here and sharing with everyone...

EDIT
BTW, I spend 10 mins thinking about this.. So I am sure I missed a lot!

artshep · Answer

1. Resign from work
2. Find a place to live in Chicago (moved from NYC)
3. Download and listen to all podcasts from HBR, Chicago, and Wharton, as well as the "MBA Podcaster"
4. Buy a few case studies from Harvard Business Review website and work them
5. Meetings/networking with area executives (possibly land a short internship or work assignment before I start classes)
6. Put myself into massive debt via mortgage and school loans
7. Read all the books that I've been planning to read
8. Complete the "MBA Survival Kit" CDs from mba.com
9. Create a budget for the time I'm in school
10. Call up a bunch of girls that I used to know from the area to do some additional "networking"

...all I can think of right now, but there may be a couple more

chidothe · Answer

Artshep- I like how you think? What's your post MBA profile? Which B-School you headed too?

IHATEMELGIBSON1 · Answer

rob a bank to pay for school

Pdgmat2010 · Answer

LMAO!!

Jmw125 · Answer

Bench my Mac and get a PC....have no idea what to buy!!!

Oh, and figure out SEPTA

peaceyall · Answer

I'm surprised that taking time off to travel isn't on this list. When I talk to classmates, this is the *one* thing that really makes for an outstanding summer before starting school. All the prep is great, but do remember to take time off for yourself.

Pdgmat2010 · Answer

I agree .. My friend at ross took a break to travel the length n breadth of india before he began school.. I plan to chill in goa at least for a few days before I go to school.. But that's just wishful thinking on my part

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Posted from my mobile device

krussell · Answer

Guys, everyone's at the same level as you before going to school. Take time to chill. You'll have enough MBA stuff to hate when you're at school. There's no point to doing all this prep work before going to school.

If you come refreshed, it'll do you a lot more good than learning stuff on your own. Why pay to learn something on your own before paying 100-200k to learn it from a teacher?

nonconformist · Answer

When do most people quit their job? Do you allow yourself 2 weeks or 2 months to relax? I am really tempted to quit my job around May and travel, but then some extra cash would still be nice...

Jmw125 · Answer

how about the day after my bonus check clears in June....

nink · Answer

What a lot of students fail to do -

Actually run a calculation of monthly interest that will accrue every month while in school. Some people finance their education entirely on debt, and when you actually start seeing how much interest accrues every month (and adds to your balance - assuming you won't be making payment on unsubsidized and private interest payments).

BlackSwan · Answer

After I have a good picture of my financials I'm personally taking the maximum amount of vacation time my bank account can bear, even if I end up little bit extra in loans as a result. A recurring regret I hear when talking with current students and alums is they didn't take as much vacation as they would have liked. Bschool does afford some travel, but it isn't quite on your own terms.

I look at it this way, you'll spend the next 2 years getting your degree and the next few afterward establishing yourself in your new position / industry. Now is one of those rare occasions when you can afford to bear the "risk" of traveling for an extended period of time.

TDA · Answer

I've heard the same thing as BlackSwan regarding vacation time.

Only question is how much is "enough" I am thinking 2 months would be good to unwind!

Jmw125 · Answer

I get my bonus June 30 and that will be my last day...have to be in Philly for pre-term on Aug 1...but classes start towards the end of August...would that qualify as "enough"?

IHateTheGMAT · Answer

Why in the world would anybody want to do that???

miguelmick · Answer

Very good thread.

Checklist for things to do before we begin MBA

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