Yeah, I know weird title but thats the best I could manage :: Hey guys, I had this on my mind for a long time now but I wasnt sure whether it is workable. As many of you know, I will be leaving to the Fuqua School of Business in Durha…
Yeah, I know weird title but thats the best I could manage 
Hey guys,
I had this on my mind for a long time now but I wasnt sure whether it is workable. As many of you know, I will be leaving to the Fuqua School of Business in Durham, one of the really amazing places to graduate from. I have been on the receiving end of a number of emails for various queries from MBA in Ireland to that in Wharton. I understand that there is not much info available for many Indians here in India. There are many forums where loads of things have been discussed but if there were one strong network on PG forum itself, it will be awesome.
Let me make it a little clear. Top US Schools & ISB do require a set of qualities which have been discussed around here. I would like to know if there are any guys who will be applying to next fall, that is for the Class of 08 (i.e. Class starting in Fall or Aug 06) to either ISB &/or US B-Schools. If there are and if all of you can join hands and go through the application process together, then the ride will not be that tough. Why I suggest this Because when I was applying, I could sense the amount of tension and work building up slowly which peaks around the deadlines. Hadnt it been for the company I had, I would have been lost. You need to be in touch with people who are applying to different schools so that you can decipher the essays, play good strokes and get genuine edits of your essays. Also, a lot of preparation goes into Interviews et al. Loads of questions will pop up once in while and I can only answer some of them. So, once we have a strong focused group, I can directly interact with this group and help whenever I can. See, for me too it will be stressful to answer so many queries (half of them are repeated!). This way, we can walk thro the Application Game together. So in extreme cases when I am not around, you will have the group with you.
This is just a small idea. I am not sure whether anybody will like to be a part of this. All I can say is, it cant hurt. You will need to know lot of people during & after the MBA too. So, why not start off right now?! This idea came because of 2 things here at Mumbai, we have the MLCS group which meets every Sunday and we get to talk about all these. Secondly, now that I am a part of a B-School itself, I am getting to interact with loads of people who might have been useful at the earlier stages.
Ok, so much for talking 
Now coming to business, even if we cant have a full fledged group right away, I am at least available to answer your queries in personal the coming week in Bangalore.
So, the gist of the whole post Any Bangaloreans applying to US B-schools or ISB and can do with some inputs from me & fellow applicants? Would you like to meet up with me while I am in Bangalore between 9th -14th July. It would be good if we form at least 6-7 of us. How many are game?
Hey, my articles are kinda running late so this might be your chance of getting some straight answers from me soon
No this is not limited to Bangalore guys. But as of now, let see how open people are to this idea!
So long,
Simba/ Sowmya
Now, thats one awesome idea Simba...Gr8 initiative this 
Looking forward to seeing people like Amit/Shameek too active in this.. :)
Cheers
plz do not quote huge posts in their entirety
i'll miss u in bangalore but hope to catch u in US sometime.
applying to US B-schools or ISB and can do with some inputs from me & fellow applicants?
I am willing to help in the time I can find.
Sowmya, Visitng Hyd by any chance? Would be delighted to meet you.
- Ramki.
This calls for a bangalore meet with Simba as the chief guest.....
Wot say my dear fellow Bangaloreans?????????
uRmad SaysNow, thats one awesome idea Simba...Gr8 initiative this
Aye Aye! :)
Simba, dont you see any Business opportunity out here ???
Or maybe after the MBA from Fuqua!Imagine a consultancy service:
The Simba School of Future MBAs!!!!!!!!
- Simba, author of the best-seller "Count your Cash, before you App"
This calls for a bangalore meet with Simba as the chief guest.....
Wot say my dear fellow Bangaloreans?????????
i agree!
even tho simba's purpose is to guide us thru the process of app'ing for univs abroad/ISB - we can surely find time for a fun(doo) meet!
Wow, thats an amazing response!! 😃 Subbu, thats a neat idea if guys from ISB can pitch in. 😃 Anand, yes, I can see u there. Ramki, thanks for offering.. we will see how this works out & Sorry pal, Hyderabad .. not this time! MurTuzA, meet yes... but I want to meet only the focussed lot (focussed on schools abroad!) And Anil, LOL, we need to take one step at a time.. no point rushing in! ;)
Ok, back to business - I want to headcount of people who want to meet me in the coming week. 😃
Cheers,
Simba
i agree!
even tho simba's purpose is to guide us thru the process of app'ing for univs abroad/ISB - we can surely find time for a fun(doo) meet!
Now the mod is saying this -
Dont know where to look!! 😉 Cant promise anything as I have way too less time - but can u all come up with something fast!? 😃 Simba
Ok, back to business - I want to headcount of people who want to meet me in the coming week. 😃
Cheers,
Simba
right now - am not too keen on an MBA. However, i am considering the option over and over and over and over and over....
maybe meeting and discussing with you will help clear some doubts.
Count me in for the meet you have in mind.
As far as the bangy PG meet goes - dont worry about it - most of the bangy junta is willing to meet at the mere mention of the word 😉 so something can be planned just like that.
Meet at barista....then lunch....and then amoeba...
what say bangy junta??
Now the mod is saying this -
Simba
i agree!
even tho simba's purpose is to guide us thru the process of app'ing for univs abroad/ISB - we can surely find time for a fun(doo) meet!
Needless to say, i'm in for the meet
Vijay
Meet at barista....then lunch....and then amoeba...
what say bangy junta??
mitesh, this is fine.. we can discuss this on email. let us not invade this thread which was started with another intention.
simba - see what i told ya ;)
okay - new thread for bangalore meet coming up in chit-chat.
I dont have any plans as of now to apply to U.S b schools...but discussion with Simba...wud help clear some doubts...
Me too in for the meet....
@Zango bhai...ok we'll continue thru mails....
Needless to say, i'm in for the meet
Vijay
ill join the band too. havent even got a date fot gmat yet, LOL ..but i hope to take it in oct:)
Guys - I think this is a fantastic idea. Kudos to Simba!
Lets be focused on the idea behind the meet - let me try to figure it out by asking a few questions:
1. Why should I attend?
I'm looking at doing my MBA at ISB/APAC B schools like AIM/US B schools/Foreign B schools in the next year.
2. What am I looking to gain?
I will benefit by learning from the experiences of Simba who's made it this year - and by interacting with ppl having similar aspirations. I hope there would be other such PG junta @ the meet who would want to share their experiences.
I'll hopefully be in a better position to evaluate what I can expect from a foreign degree,what kind of debt I will have to bear, what criteria I must use to pick B schools that will suit me.
3. How would I compare the indian MBA with a foreign one?
I'd be able to clearly distinguish between the pros and cons of both, understand better what it is that I really want and target it with singular focus.
As for the venue: I would suggest a place where 15-20 ppl could meet and discuss peacefully - what about lalbagh / cubbon park?
Hey Simba, awesome gesture, please count me in too. Looking forward to the meet.
-Amit
"here at Mumbai, we have the MLCS group which meets every Sunday and we get to talk about all these. - getting to interact with loads of people who might have been useful at the earlier stages"
Hello Simba,
Thats an excellent initiative. I would be applying to ISB and would be very interested to know other people's experiences. I dont have that great a GMAT score as some of the others (just 600 and 5.0), but nonetheless, I would like to know about yours (and other's) experiences. You mentioned about the MLCS group in Mumbai, could you direct me to anyone from that group. It would be a great help.
Kudos on the initiative once again. Afterall its important to build contacts and network with people, who knows who might be useful in the future.
-Rama.
Hello Simba,
Thats an excellent initiative. I would be applying to ISB and would be very interested to know other people's experiences. I dont have that great a GMAT score as some of the others (just 600 and 5.0), but nonetheless, I would like to know about yours (and other's) experiences. You mentioned about the MLCS group in Mumbai, could you direct me to anyone from that group. It would be a great help.
Kudos on the initiative once again. Afterall its important to build contacts and network with people, who knows who might be useful in the future.
-Rama.
Count me in...!!!! I'll be applying to ISB this year.
>>bp