Studying for the GMAT is a true emotional roller coaster.  Some days I am doing well on equations and 3 days later I can’t remember a single thing about equations.  After some calming down and realizing I know how to do these problems because I studied them 2 days ago, the process and formulas start coming back and I can solve 1/2 the problems correctly.  Some days I am ready to give up and accept the defeat of the GMAT and learning rates/works or idioms, and other days I am not willing to end the day until I have complete knowledge on the subject.  The weird thing is the GMAT quantitative problems are suppose to be at the same level as high school math.  It has been some years since I have been in high school, but I don’t remember math being one of those subjects I had to worry about.  I was in honors algebra and AP statistics.  I did have problems with my pre-cal class but that had to do with a problem teacher. (I took the course during summer school and got an A-). In college, my first trimester and last time I studied anything involving an equation, I took chemistry as my quantitative course and had problems in that subject, but I also think had to do with being away from home for the 1st time, or maybe it truly was the beginning of the end of math for me.

Sometimes I sit in Borders, and think after I get 3 problems wrong in a row that I was probably dropped on my head as a toddler and the effects did not occur until I needed to study for the GMAT.  I also think drinking in college and in my twenties has done twice as much damage than I ever thought it would.  Of course there had been some experimentation with illegal drugs (nothing you can make from under your sink), but I know people who did worse stuff than me and became engineers and physicist.

So in the end I truly don’t know why the GMAT has become such an Achilles Heel for me, especially, since I have been studying on and off for over a year.  I realize the next step for me is to stop analyzing what is wrong with me and continue to analyzing how to get the correct answer to the problem.

P.S.  Has anyone ordered the GMAT Quantitative Focus from mba.com?  If so, did you find it useful?

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Usually, I run quickly away from anything Khaki.  The color has no personality.  Designer Nicole Miller was able to turn Khaki from boring to FABULOUS!!! 
             

 Photos Courtesy of Saksfifthavenue.com and Nicolemiller.com

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 Discover Stern Fall Diversity Weekend applications are available.  The deadline for the application is September 5th.  The diversity weekend is October 16-18.

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So I have gotten some email about what you guys can do to spice up your clothing options for the office.  I know many of you men want to get into finance, hedge fund, and entrepreneurship and need a suit to demonstrate an infallible confidence and capability. The stripped suit by Burberry Prosurm demonstrates all of those adjectives and sets you apart from the boring everyday navy suit.

This Bottega Veneta outfit is great for a casual Friday and shows how color can be added while keeping a very masculine look. 

 all photos provided by men.style.com

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I came across the website skoolix.com where you can put in your stats i.e. GMAT, GPA, number of work years along with criteria you want from a b-school such as state, class size, private or public, and desired salary post  graduation.  I placed in all my stats and got some interesting results.  I put in the requirement of NYC and got a list for reach, realistic, and safety schools, which included Portland State University.  I don’t know if skoolix.com is accuratel, but it definitely won’t be a factor of what schools I will apply to.   

HEC also offers a Candidate Profile Evaluation which “We will either encourage you to apply to the program by submitting a Supplemental Application, or suggest areas in which you can make improvements before submitting the application. ”

In the end no website or person can tell you what schools you should or should not apply to.  You already know that answer.

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Ardentmeerkat wrote a blog about “Safe schools” and  I am having the same experience with my family and friends about being narrowly focused on which schools I will apply to. My response is why should I settle for anything less.  But what if I don’t get into the schools I want.   My smarter than me sister and I discussed this through text messaging during work.  (Thank goodness for text messaging.)

SmarterSister: Sh*t happens.  Do you want to go to school or do you want to go to only THESE SCHOOLS.

GlamourGirl:  I want an MBA from THESE SCHOOLS. 

SmarterSister: Focusing on the schools is getting you know where.  And if you don’t get into any of these schools your world will suck.  Not because you couldn’t get into b-school but  because you limited  yourself to THESE SCHOOLS!  You don’t want the degree, you want the T-shirt.  If you wanted the degree you would make it happen.  Just buy the t-shirt its cheaper.

GlamourGirl: Sometimes you are a b*tch, but you are right.  I have too many t-shirts.  I want something that can’t be thrown away or tossed in the garbage. So, are you watching Project Runway tonight?

 Yep that is from my younger sister and she only speaks the language of truth (sometimes in a strong southern accent but she grew up in California).   In the end I am going to apply to the schools I know will be a good fit for me no matter if it is a M7 school or a school ranked 142.  I am the only one holding the key to these decisions.

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No, not for the GMAT but for my 1st sprint triathlon.  It will take place mid-September.  I am so excited!! Plus it will give me something to focus on besides just the GMAT.  I think it will also help me organize my time better.  On New Years my friend made me write down what I wanted to accomplish in 2008.   I haven’t crossed anything off yet, but I feel the MBA related stuff will definitely happen.  My ambition is rising too.  I think I will schedule the GMAT a week after the triathlon, or maybe a week before the triathlon.  I don’t know yet.

NO MORE EXCUSES
BE MORE AMBITIOUS
PARTICIPATE IN AN ATHLETIC EVENT I.E TRIATHLON AND MARATHON
SCORE HIGH ON THE GMAT
APPLY TO BUSINESS SCHOOL
REDUCE DEBT
BE MORE CONFIDENT AND LESS SELF-Conscious
HELP OTHERS
HANG OUT WITH FAMILY MORE
BE HEALTHY EAT MORE VEGETABLES AND LESS PROCESSED FOODS
WATCH LESS TV READ MORE BOOKS

What have you accomplished this year?

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This Vivienne Westwood number is perfect for any important meeting.  It screams ELEGANCE, INTELLIGENCE, and CONFIDENCE!

Photo Courtesy of style.com

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You would think after all my experience with the GMAT that studying should be second nature to me, but honestly it is still a struggle.  Part of the problem is my attention span, and the other part is I finally realized I need a more structured study plan.  I have to start with my weakest points; sentence correction and  rates/work and statistics.  So tomorrow is my new game plan.  No more wasting study hours.  I also need to schedule the date for my GMAT.  I found when I scheduled it I buckled down and just studied.  I am looking at the beginning of September. 

I want to hear from my fellow GMAT brethren.  What is your study schedule tips that you find extremely helpful in your journey towards the GMAT?  How many times is too many to take the GMAT?

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 The other day my father called me out of the blue to “have a talk”.  Apparently,  I have been very vocal in my doubts about the GMAT.  He let me know “you know what you need to do you have done it before.”  I spoke with my sister earlier and she told me ”nothing you really want has ever come easy. ” The GMAT is the perfect example.  I have worked my but off before to get what  want whether it was losing weight or moving to Italy.  Once I truly made up my mind to do it, it got done.  I made up my mind about and MBA a while ago, and took many steps to get where I want to go, but my path seems constantly blocked by the GMAT.  Today I read GoneGuru’s blog entry “The Wall” and realized the GMAT is my wall.  I can’t take a shortcut to get though the GMAT.  I have to walk around it to get to the same destination.  So, I will continue my walk.  Thanks Guru for a very well written and inspiring piece.

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