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
Arun said:
Sumeet,
Congratulation for getting admission and studying at Oxford. I am a instrumentation engineer from NIT and have around 9 yrs of work experience as a PMO.
I am applying for the batch of 2010-11 at SAID. I have a few queries in this regard. It would be great it you could provide your e-mail id on through which can discuss the queries with you.
Regards,
Arun
arunpathak78@gmail.com
Aniket said:
Hi Sumeet, nice blog, more informative.
I am basically working as a business developer at a start up firm in pune, india under ERP consulting domain. Its 1.5 years of experience for me in the field now. I want to go for mba program at Oxford. Can you just let me know, what would be the selection criteria, IELTS score and work experience benefits? Also let me know approximate fees for the course?
Regards,
Aniket Asole
Email Id: aniketasole@yahoo.com