Seasoning MBA Application @ US - Part 1 - Basics

Oh! Yes, this segment is completely a new topic when comparing all my previous posts. Planned to complete in 4 Parts. Will see. :-)

The following are the 4 parts:

• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 1 - Basics
• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 2 - What they need?
• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 3 - How they evaluate?
• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 4 - Employability and Finance Post MBA

There is a strong reason for composing this post now. Yes, few might have been aware about of the reason whilst most of them wouldn't know the reason. It is the real time to confess on this stuff. I would like to pursue my full-time Master in Business Administration in a reputed institute. Reiterating, FULL-TIME.

The goal was little bit budding within me since 2013 when there was a spoof content in some website defaming me. Left it uncared due to the vigorous other works including various Governmental and Inter-Governmental tasks. Added a fame to my thought, I discussed with one of my best, close and mentally intimate friend in the early 2015. To my surprise even he was having the same idea and he never revealed it to me as he is an psychopathic attitude guy. Started searching for the Best Ranked B-Schools.

We both applied for few Universities and we had invitation from few Universities. I wanted to pursue my MBA along with my NBRS [Non-Blood Related Sibling] owing for various reasons. Will be analyzing my case and will strictly discuss my case here, as I don't have any rights or permission from him to discuss about his case though I know each and every detail about him and his application.

So before proceeding, I wanted to give some information about my application. With almost 6.5 years of Entrepreneurial and Governmental Experience I have started my applications. I took up GRE instead of GMAT test as the entry requirement and was on an average of 35 percentile. My Under-Grad GPA was 3.67 out of 4.0. I had almost 192 research publications, 4 patents and wide international exposure.

It was lovely to get re-connected with various people whom we had connection before bunch of years, had recommendation and references from an University Professor, Chairman of Deloitte, Partner of EY and others. My application got through at some universities luckily or by some unknown means. Unfortunately my NBRS didn't even get invitations. You could learn what an US MBA Admissions Committee member is looking from you out of your application in Part 2.

First thing about the applications are that you going to enter into a lottery program. Pray Well before starting. You should understand that each and every application is a time consuming process and dedicated time should be allocated for each and every case. With all my experiences, total time required on an average for 1 application is 8 - 14 hours if you are genuinely filling in all the particulars without CCP (Cut/Copy/Paste) Technique. Following which there is a standard rule that you have a very professional email ID which is being used for these application process.

Some of the bad email IDs are as follows.

• robertthedatingguy@gmail.com
• petertheseducer@gmail.com
• stb.waitingtodate@gmail.com

Some of the professional free email IDs are as follows.

• robert.a@gmail.com
• peter.brook@gmail.com
• swaminathan.thangapan@gmail.com

Use the same email ID from GRE / GMAT to the final stage of the application. Never change the email IDs inbetween as per your wish.

Concentrate on the Essay Part as they define who you are actually to the AdCom (Admissions Committee) members. The recommendation also holds certain quantum of value for the application and this will be discussed in Part 3 of this season. Be truthful for what you fill-in. Prepare a business resume which is short and crisp. The resume should have only 67% - 69% of text on the total frame. Some B-Schools do have Video Interview before the actual screening of your application, ensure that you face them with full of confidence and attitude.

Transcripts, most of the B-Schools do ask your transcripts to be evaluated by WES / ECE who are accredited by the NACES. Please do scan your transcripts legibly.

The last one is the Application Fee, for countries like India / China / Korea / African region the application fee is a big issue because of the very low currency values. On an average per application submission fees would be USD 100 and when you submit 10 applications it would cost you USD 1000 which is almost twice the salary earned by a normal professional with 5 years of experience. The investment should carry your worth. If you know that you will not be selected in Harvard Business School, even then applying for the same could make you to lose your hard earned money. See the median score of GMAT and the class profile. Put yourself into those positions and see if you could fit into it.

And before concluding couple of bonus points:

GRE vs GMAT

GRE is applicable for MS as well as MBA. Most of the B-Schools in United States of America do consider your GRE score. You are requested to look into ETS website for having the score equivalence. If you have decided to go for MBA, then I do recommend you to go for GMAT strictly as most of the B-School do assume that the applicant was not serious about his MBA career and took GRE to give a best try.

TOFEL / IELTS

Every B-School have their own list of countries which are exempted from taking these English Language Tests. To put in a nut-shell, if the medium of your course was in English language and all your records are in English, you could approach them and request for International Language Test Score waiver.

Will meet you back in Part 2...

Gift Kit for eVisa Tourists to India

The worst faced problem by any Foreigner visiting to India is the Communication. Getting a SIM card and the tedious activation process by the TRAI pulls back their interest in getting one.

This is an interesting development, and probably a first for any country across the globe. Ministry of Tourism has planned this new initiative, that will help new tourists in India.

Tourists landing in India on e-tourist visa would soon be getting a “gift kit” from Tourism Ministry which would consist of SIM card, among other things.

“This will be gift from Tourism Ministry…it will be handed over to the tourists arriving in India on e-tourist visa,” a Tourism Ministry source said.

The “gift” would consist of a SIM card which the tourists can use for making calls after they have recharged it.

Besides, it would also consist of maps, booklets and CD with information about various tourists destinations, guidelines relating to dos and don’ts, details regarding whom to contact in case of any emergency, among other things.

UK Tourists thronged India  the most in 2015 with over 22.8 percent visitors from that country. US visitor numbers were second highest with 16.70 percent followed by France (7.09%), Germany (7.02%) and Australia (5.53%).

New Delhi Airport received nearly half (50.93%) of all these visitors followed by Mumbai Airport (20.54%), Bengaluru Airport (5.90%) and Chennai Airport (5.61%).

E-visa facility initiated by the Modi Govt. in 2014 is continuing to break all existing tourism records. In the month of August 2015, 724% more International tourists entered the country, compared to previous year in the same period.

In month of October 2015, e-Visa tourist set another record by registering a growth of 1987.9% – A total of 56,477 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 2,705 during the month of October, 2014.

If you take 10 month period between January to October a total of 2,58,182 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 21,995 during January-October, 2014 registering a growth of 1073.8% .

55 Things to Do before You Die

The 55 things listed in a A->Z format. 

1.       Add a Lock to the Love Lock Bridge in Paris

2.       Adopt a rescue pet

3.       Attend a cop-raided party

4.       Bathe in Milk

5.       Break a Guinness World Record

6.       Climb a mountain

7.       Conquer a fear

8.       Disconnect for a week

9.       Donate Blood

10.   Donate your hair for cancer

11.   Drink Beer at Oktoberfest in Germany

12.   Eat something you wouldn’t usually

13.   Feel Great in a Swimsuit

14.   Follow a dream

15.   Get a ‘regrettable make out’ story

16.   Get arrested

17.   Get in a mud fight

18.   Get in an ice snow fight

19.   Get your fortune read

20.   Give a Shelter Pet a Home

21.   Give your lunch to a homeless person

22.   Go on an aimless drive

23.   Go stargazing

24.   Go to a major sporting event

25.   Google yourself

26.   Grow your own food

27.   Host a cocktail party

28.   Host Christmas / Diwali / Ramzan

29.   Karaoke with your Siblings / Best Friends

30.   Learn a foreign language

31.   Learn a new skill

32.   Leave a note for a stranger

33.   Let Go of a Floating Lantern in Thailand

34.   Live in a different country

35.   Make a Call from a London Phone Booth

36.   Make something from scratch

37.   Pilot an aircraft

38.   Practice (Rehearse) Sex with your Friend

39.   Protest something

40.   Research your family tree

41.   Ride in a limo

42.   Skinny dip

43.   Sleep on the beach

44.   Sleep under the stars

45.   Sleepover somewhere haunted

46.   Stay awake for 24 hours

47.   Stop Socializing (Social Media)

48.   Swim in the ocean

49.   Swim under a waterfall

50.   Take a cocktail making course

51.   Take part in a city running event

52.   Visit all seven continents

53.   Volunteer at a soup kitchen

54.   Watch all of the top 100 IMDB Films

55.   Watch all those damn movies everyone keeps talking about

Hong Kong - The round clock city to Enjoy

After almost a month, I am back to write at these blogs. 

Hong Kong comes alive at night, abuzz with diners, revelers, theater goers and even market traders still out plying their wares. The nightlife scene is rightly legendary: there is something to do at every time of the day in this city that never sleeps. The nightlife options are too numerous to mention, but below you’ll find just a sample of what’s on offer: from cultural performances through to late-night party venues and midnight feasts. You can also spend a whole night in Wan Chai with our guide to one of the city’s most renowned night owl destinations.

So you’re after a good time? You’ve definitely come to the right city! Hong Kong boasts entertainment galore and most of it kicks off after sunset. Whether you’re after a classy cocktail in a trendy bar, live entertainment that beats through the night, a late-night snack to quell those hunger pangs or even a midnight run, Hong Kong is the city to oblige.

If you’ve already heard of Hong Kong’s crazy all-night vibe, then it’s surely because of the sheer number of bars of all shapes and sizes. Most first-timers head straight to the thoroughfares of Lan Kwai Fong in Central, which are packed full of bars and nightclubs, with revelers spilling out onto the streets at all hours. However away from this main draw, lots of trendy niche bars are opening up for a slightly more cultural experience.

For a really cultured night out, you should seek out an authentic Cantonese opera performance. Sunbeam Theatre is one of Hong Kong’s most historic theaters, having been founded in 1972 by a troupe of Shanghai immigrants, and it’s renowned for its Chinese traditional art performances—Cantonese opera in particular. Many of the Cantonese opera stars of note will have trod these boards at one point in their careers, so you’ll certainly find authentic performances here, held most days of the week in its two auditoriums. Another unique theater venue with a proud history is the Fringe Club, one of the city’s foremost art spaces that’s been providing a platform for artists since 1984. There is always something creative going on here, so whether you’re after a Shakespeare rendition, a stand-up comedy show, a live music gig, an art exhibition or a poetry evening, then be sure to look up the Fringe Club’s events calendar while you’re here.

If you’re looking for a more active nighttime activity then head out on the Bowen Road Fitness Trail. Positioned half way up to the Peak, this popular 4-kilometer-long running and walking trail is safe and well-lit at night, with lookout points that furnish vistas across to Kowloon and beyond. Mid-way along the route you’ll discover Lovers’ Rock, a boulder which is said to have the power to grant happy marriages. You’ll often find worshippers making a beeline for this pilgrimage site, which sits loftily above the city. Not only is this trail a great location for a spot of nighttime exercise, but you’ll also find memorable skyline views from here, minus the crowds.

Hong Kong’s nightlife is legendary and you’ll be sure to feel the vibe too after trying some of these suggestions. But whatever you do while you’re here, just be sure to capture the city’s skyline view at night—it’s one experience that will stay with you forever. The special crocodile meat available in the mid-night could be one of the most crowdy place. 

Japan – Expensive Punctual Lifestyle

It is always a pleasure in exploring various countries and that too in an entertainment mode or mood. In that list, I wanted to explore the Japan. After making a steady plan, I made myself to visit Tokyo for few days draining Indian Economy and boosting the Japanese Economy. And I did it almost.

Born and being brought-up in India is always a curse because you don’t the value of Time and Life. But the Japanese culture does it. As soon as I landed-up, there was a shuttle bus which takes me to The Narita Port Hotel which is actually renamed as Narita Gateway hotel. I didn’t update my time in my hand phone, but to my surprize it was there exactly ON-TIME. Generally, in India we used to be ON-TIME by mistake. When we arrive ON-TIME, you will not have the right respect and mileage. But it is just opposite in Japanese culture. Wasn’t that much satisfied with the Hotel Accommodation as it was exactly the size of our Kitchen in my house. But it was compact and tight fit for an individual.

The next day, I was impressed and pulled by seeing the name “Narita Free Transit Tour Program” at the Airport. Wow! That was good news for an individual like me. So attempted to ping at that desk on the next day morning. Since it would open at 9 AM, went to the departure floor to have a morning meal at McDonald’s and surprisingly it was less equivalent to the London pricing. Not of a greater taste, but it was my saviour. At around 9, there was a woman with excessive lip-stick convincing the Australian Woman who was on transit. I was waiting in the queue and got into her for discussion. After 15 minutes of discussion, she said that we have to pay for the Transport and the term “FREE” was only for the Guide. Not a disappointing one, but used for this in South Korea while I was with Prof. Dr. Dong Hwa Kim. The bus arrived ON-TIME and we were asked to pay JPY 210. We thought it would be around 50 miles for the destination. But it was the height of my stupidity. He came around the Airport as Lord Ganesha did around his father and mother and dropped us at a spot just behind the airport. It was not even 4 miles by road and just 1.2 miles by air.

I learnt that the life is such expensive in Japan and made myself to proceed with this. The next day I went to Tokyo where I learnt that the real Japan is there. Much of crowd, absolute silence without any honking or loud speech. But one thing which I need to notice is the integrity and respect they rendered to me though not being any official. Some were interested in knowing about the religious identity mark on my forehead. And the Narita Express line is one of the most expensive trains I have travelled in the world, yes it was an almost JPY 5,000 for a distance of 60 kilometers and it is worst so it travels in almost 1 hour 30 minutes.

The cost of a Blazer Jacket was JPY 25,000; suite JPY 79,000 for my size. I get them in India for JPY 4,000; suite JPY 8,500. The worst thing is that the cost of a brief (underwear) was JPY 19,000 and you get 8% Tax refund on this money which you pay provided condition that you don’t use it in Japan. My crazy mind said to buy one such and come back to my country and post a photography saying that it is Japan Brief. But my bureaucratic mind refrained me doing it.

The culture is perfectly shaped that no mistakes occur. The schooling mechanism teaches everything that they require for their life. The Life Science classes in their High School impressed me very much. Heard that cooking is also a part of their classes in High School which carries equal value in the examinations. There is no theft at Japan and I tried by placing my mobile in a public place named AEON Shopping mall, Narita. After 15 minutes, a small boy saw that mobile and informed the McDonald’s representative. It was a good experience.

The flat nose and small eye guys are really the best. I would surely go back to Japan to see these flat nose and small eye guys. Probably my son or daughter would need a school education in Japanese schools. 

"You have a Baby Boy" - Touching Accident Incident

Happening of accident in India has become too usual and common stuff. To coin in a different version, "It is as usual as charging a mobile phone". But only when it happens in our family or our associate, the pain comes up bulged.

After having a long trip to Thiruchengode, Coimbatore, Salem I was driving my car back to home all alone since the driver was given with some leave. And I love driving the car all alone or with highly confidante of mine. Whenever I have such an option, I never miss it.

And while driving alone or with driver I never stand on the accidents after the 2007 issue of helping an International Person on this affair. But all of a sudden yesterday while returning, crossing Villupuram (a locality in Tamil Nadu, India) late night saw some watery substance in the road and slowed my vehicle. At the dark after turning my car lamps from high to low beam, found two people on the road. As the blood was not clotted in the road, I learnt that the accident could have happened minutes before. Stopped my car and saw those guys who could be ranging from 20 - 30 years. Called to 108 (NAS - National Ambulance Service) and local police station. They said that they will be in few minutes as the Police Station was nearby.

Both the guys head was opened like a suitcase and their brain was on the road. As it was a dry dark area no one was even intending to stop-by to help. Ambulance and Police (only one PC) came at the same time. The distress is that in the ambulance there was only one driver and no doctor. Anyway, while I was getting down from my car itself, I identified it as SPOT DEAD. The PC and ambulance driver managed to carry one body into the Ambulance.

The guy who was sitting at the back had his hands around the abdomen of the person who drove the two wheeler!

The PC got some call on wireless and was unable to answer and he took the call over his mobile. The Ambulance driver requested me to help the other case. I thought like a Cinematic Hero and attempted to help him. He said to me that I will not be able to take food for next two days if I take the head part generally as it was open like something; he requested me to get hold the leg part. I took it too casual and got hold of both the legs. Suddenly the middle part of the human body went down and he shouted "Sir! Sir!". I gave a hand behind a spot under the lumbar. Oh my gosh, a part of his body the HIP and lower abdominal section was in my right hand connected with top and bottom only because of skin even which was bleeding. After few moments, made him into the ambulance and the Ambulance was about to be started. He had only one bucket of water and that was sufficient for me to wash only my hands. 

By that time the PC came back and asked if both the bodies were taken OFF and advised him to go to Mundiyambakkam Government General Hospital. He took the ambulance and we found a mobile phone blinking in the accident spot. I went to take that, it was a Micromax Mobile and there was a call from "Jayanthi Sister" and we disconnected the call. There was a text message in the mobile,

You have a Baby Boy. Come to hospital soon!

Ofcourse he has now went to the hospital where his boy could have been delivered. I went on literally crying on seeing that text message. Even if that boy grows-up the society and community which he lives would define him that he killed his father during his birth and so on. 

I am still unable to eat or even worried if it would digest after seeing this moment. 

Finally, Be Careful always! 

The Art of buying a Beer in Pondicherry/Puducherry

Oh! On reading the title please do never imagine that I will be drinking. I drink the most vulnerable than this which includes Sprite, 7UP, Coke and Pepsi. Yes, why the heck am praising myself? Come on!

As most of you may be aware I am hailing from the locality where hard drinks are famous enough because of taxation system in India. #Pondicherry or #Puducherry has marked its landmark in south India for its quality and cheap hard drinks. Most of my known jerks come down to my locality to booze themselves as well as to suck other’s wallet. And sometime, I use to attend that too for boneless chicken. Could stay with them until 2 rounds; beyond that they will start scolding their manager, girl friends, family and other friends, which I strongly should never endorse by sitting along with them. And all this happened at high star hotels or atleast a 3 star hotel. So it was not infringing me in any way and even this incident didn’t infringe me as most of the people are aware about me.

I had a wish of getting into an Alcoholic Beverage shop and procure some drinks. Generally I have strategic advisors, personal secretaries, private secretaries, and other people who will assist me in this regard. But my stupid and crazy mind wanted to try it in person. So, I was really waiting for one such situation for almost 3 years. I happened to move all the people into different countries and had only 3 guys along with me. Unfortunately this week everyone was on leave quoting one or the other reason and mostly because of the school vacation of their wards.

And too surprize one of my bestie and confidante wanted me to get some light beer to get refreshed and de-stressed from office works for the first time. I wasn’t refusing considering that these guys would be there to get the things and packed. On account of their leave, I was not in the position to decline the commitment which I gave him. If I would have given him across, for sure he would have agreed, but didn’t and suddenly stroke my previous wish of going into such shop.

Went to the ICICI Bank ATM to withdraw some cash as I am not interested in getting them free of cost quoting my position. Withdrew around some INR 600 (~ USD 10). I was really excited about this moment and was really like approaching a completely unknown gal and asking her to get married. This shop was few meters away from ATM in the main road major junction. Walked slowly from ATM and reached near the shop in less than a minute. As soon as they saw me, there was a jerk and positional change in all the employees’ position and clearance of the unsold bottles from the table and others.

Manager came down to me asking few casual questions and other receptions happened widely. Few cops at the junction also landed up for security angle task into the shop along with me. After 5 minutes, he enquired about my visit to the shop as almost the sale was stacked out of the visible region of my eyes. I said I wanted 2 of each hard drinks and gave a pause. The immediate reaction of almost 10+ staff of that shop was giving a surprize and shocking look over my dirty face. And now I resumed saying that it was for my friend who resides out of Pondicherry and then most of them resumed back their work. Manager asked me the brands which he needs to pack. Since my childhood days, I know only KINGFISHER as the hard drink which is being manufactured by UB Distilleries. And my bestie demanded three brands out of which Kingfisher was one. I happily said KINGFISHER and the manager applauded me from knowing the brand name. I was like flying all above the skies for few moments. When he asked me the next one, it was like a hydrogen balloon with deflated air. It was BUDAWEISER (Sorry if the name is wrong). I attempted saying in many terms about it, he wasn’t able to understand. Finally he asked me to show the view of the mobile. I turned the mobile screen on his side. He read it properly (assumed such) and instructed the fellow employees. Again the staff of the shop threw a question to me if it was strong or weak. My mind went to my 12^th Chemistry striking the Strong Acid vs Weak Acid.

He asked me the keys of the car and I handed it over to him. Now it was the high time, handed the keys to the person to load it. Suddenly I turned towards the car and saw boxes were being loaded. I stopped them and asked what it was. The manager came out and said he has packed 2 cases in each. I corrected him saying that it was only 2 bottles and not 2 cases. He said no worries as it was complimentary for me. I asked him to totally offload it from the car if it was such. After a short friendly battle he removed the cases and made it as bottles. I paid around Rs. 120 (USD 2) for 2 bottles of Kingfisher, 2 bottles of Budweiser and 2 cans of Turbog green. I don’t whether this is a better deal or the actual price of some sort; but when I ignited the car I really felt like winning the World War III because of intelligence and this feel cannot be extended by anyone.

The final conclusion was I learnt few more complex words for alcoholic beverages and evidenced the world that I am also capable to buying hard drinks.