Country-specific Applicant Discussions - Should we implement

Question

Hey Guys - anyone see value in creating a separate forum/sub-forum/area to discuss country-specific application/gmat issues?
Just to clarify - This forum would not be for discussion of country-specific schools - we already have the international MBA forum, rather it will focus on the country of applicant's origin, regardless of schools applying to.

The forum would be intended mainly for international applicants and designed to help them connect with people from home countries and resolve issues applicable only that country/region. For example, last year we had this thread: indian-admits-2009-keep-all-desi-discussions-here-74043.html and here is another one that just got started recently: oh-it-indian-male-you-are-doomed-82693.html

For example, I am from Ukraine, so is Walker for example, and a few others on this forum. I know of some of you, but not of others. Thus I would create a thread called - Calling all Ukrainian Applicants with the following purpose:
1. Help all Ukrainian applicants find each other on gmatclub (if they are interested in doing so)
2. Have a place to discuss Ukraine-related issues such as where to buy gmat books, which gmat tutoring/admissions consulting to use or rather not to use
3. Possibly have a local meeting of gmat clubbers
4. Other cooperation and info exchange such as how to get US visa, how to prove sufficiency of funds in bank account, translate University transcript, airline tickets, etc.
5. Vent and discuss elections and best strategies to siphon Russian gas out of the pipes (just kidding)

Creating a forum or a subforum is a big deal for us, so I want to get the general feel among the international applicants

Would you find such forum/thread useful/valuable?
Would you feel comfortable identifying your country information and participating in an appropriate discussion?

billyjeans · Answer

I usually read the indian IT doom thread. I found it to be useful with information related to me.

/signed chinese IT. :D

bb · Answer

<img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /> Thanks

2012dreams · Answer

Not to throw gender in there, but both the main MBA message boards I frequent are overrun by men (although I do love men :wink:

), but I'd like to see a thread (maybe one exists) for female applicants as well. We could discuss particular scholarships/fellowships for women, interesting facts about female applicants (i.e. I've heard that female MBA students tend to be younger than their male counterparts), recruiting and on-campus events, application strategies, or just discuss some of the things we'll be dealing with "trying to balance work and life" (however cliche that may be). Just my .02 cents

bb · Answer

That's a great idea - I think you should start one! You really should.
Let me know if I can help in any way (will definitely promote it on the site).

Zyskind · Answer

Great idea! U've got one Ukrainian more!

MBAgirl2010 · Answer

I completely agree! Lets do this.

MBAgirl2010 · Answer

Done: calling-all-female-applicants-84636.html

bb · Answer

Great! Thank you! I put it into the site announcement for today to get awareness. P.S. Even put the right link in

bigoyal · Answer

May be we can have country specific tags instead :roll:

Even country specific forums would also be a good idea to organize such country specific threads. But the problem would be we will loose the category of the thread. Example, a topic related to "The B-School Application" if moved to country specific forum may loose a set of relevant audience. Looks a great thread, I was not aware that such a thread exists on gmatclub. Will need time to go through the posts, they are so many and really useful. Thanks.

bb · Answer

That will be a few dozen/hundred tags - will be a bit too much

Definitely - having a separate forum will not make as easily available, but it is intended to go beyond BSchool application Yes, getting information organized is a challenge....we're still tackling - any suggestions along the way are welcome!

snipertrader · Answer

Country specific thread really helps, especially given the hardships internationals are experiencing in the current market. It will surely help prospective to make informed decisions.