November 21st, 2008
Sleepless nights beget more sleepless nights (and days)
Posted by Sumeet
Under: Oxford Life, Sumeet Bakshi
I always wanted to do an MBA from a renowned business school, but it was just a “want” till March 2007, when I actually decided to spend some sleepless nights to do soul searching on why I “need” to do an MBA and to research on the golden question – MBA from “where”.
These sleepless nights led to more sleepless nights after I booked a GMAT slot especially with important projects at work gaining momentum. I thought of getting some sleep after getting a GMAT score but I soon realized that more sleepless nights were waiting for me as application deadlines were approaching. Luckily for me, I had some priorities clear – I could only afford a year away from a regular salaried job and a school below the top 20 FT ranks didn’t make sense for my career.
Thus I spent sleepless nights making some b-school applications and I thought there would be some respite once I received an admit from Saïd Business School. But then sleep had a negative correlation with the time remaining for the start of the course – Finances and visa had to be arranged and moreover Prof. Tomo Suzuki had ensured that we had some pre-course reading for the Financial Reporting course.
Nevertheless, on coming to Oxford I was overwhelmed with the lively buzz that goes around this campus, city and spent some more sleepless nights attending “networking events” organized by different institutions that I am affiliated to here – Saïd Business School, Green Templeton College and the University of Oxford.
Did I say that I was here to study and make a career – oh yes!!! That too takes some sleep away… Most people want to come to business school to take up careers as i-bankers/consultants/… other glamorous roles where the amount of sleep you get is inversely proportional to your salary. I am also one of those wannabes.
For all those, who are looking at pursuing sleepless nights, I will be posting my experiences on how I am coping with sleeplessness…follow this blog for further posts.



sudhir said:
Great goin’ Sumeet.. Expecting more posts on your wonderful episodes in oxf…do mention about dreams you get to see in these sleepness nights and days:P
Srini said:
Hi Sumeet,
i am potential Oxford MBA applicant for the 2009/10 batch. I got interviewed for the program this month and am awaiting the final result (to be announced on 9th Jan). I realized after reading you blog that you might be one of the best persons to answer a couple of my queries - as i have a similar (kinda) background/family status. I come from a research background (MS, PhD in life sciences, postdoctoral research work exp for 4yrs) + experience in Intellectual property management & commercialization (again in pharma/biotech/med devices). My wife and daughter (1.5yrs old) will join me if i move to the UK for the MBA. I would like to get your opinion/feedback on a few questions i have. don’t think this is the right place to ask them. If you are kind enough and agree could i contact you by email? my email add: srinivasbp@hotmail.com
hope to hear from you. thanks in advance for your help.
Adios,
srini
Piyush said:
Hi Sumeet,
Congrats for getting admit and studying in Oxford - a highly renowned business school. I am a chemical engineer from IIT and have around 4 yrs of rich work experience in leading FMCG firm.
I wish to join Oxford in the batch of 2010-11. I have a few queries in this regard. It would be great it you could provide your e-mail id on which i may discuss these queries with you.
Cheers
Piyush
Email : piyush_incc@yahoo.com