Grad School
The grad school process is moving along. Right now, I’m planning to pursue an MBA and the leading school candidate is Xavier. XU has a top 25 MBA program, so I feel good about it, but UNC is still an option. At this point in time, though, UNC is a bit too expensive for me. My company will pay for some of it, but I’m going to have to dig up some grants or other money if I’m to pursue it seriously.
I’ve spent the last two days fighting with NKU to get my transcript released. My last semester there, I only had one evening class, so I didn’t see the sense in paying for a $40 parking pass. I figured that if I got a parking ticket, it would be cheaper to pay that than for a pass. Well, I ended up with two tickets, which combined equaled the cost of a parking pass. I never paid them, though. Supposedly, they hold diplomas if there are outstanding payments for an account, but they were nice enough to send it too me anyway, so I came out on the winning side. 
Now it’s coming back to get me, though. There’s a hold on my account and they won’t release my transcript until the tickets are paid off. I called the bursar to take care of them (trying to talk them into just forgetting about it, with no luck) and they told me I couldn’t pay over the phone, that I’d have to pay on the web via credit card (with a $15 extra charge) or pay in person at the bursar’s office. I went to the website to pay, but since I’m no longer a student and didn’t have a student ID, I couldn’t. So I went to NKU on my lunch break to pay, but once I got there, they told me they only took check or cash and would have to pay by plastic over the web. You would think they would have mentioned that on the phone! Finally, someone told me I could use my social security number as the student ID and I finally paid off my tickets from 6 years ago.
So, applications are filled out, transcripts are on their way…the only thing left is to take GMAT. I’m planning on taking that mid to late August. Has anyone taken it recently? Any tips or suggestions? Looks like I’m going to be spending some time in the library the coming weeks.
I’m excited about going back to school, especially about taking some economics classes. I have a feeling it’s going to be hard to get back into the groove of taking classes and having homework, but once I get into the routine, it shouldn’t be too bad.
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Jul 18th, 2007 at 22:43:15
Exciting!!! Congrats on getting everything done. Lesson learned, you can’t get away with not paying your parking tickets or your university bill. You never know when you might need something from them again. Glad you got it all worked out even with a bit of a hassle.
No help on the GMAT, but let me know how it goes because I am going to have to take the GRE again before doctoral work. I know they are not the same but still similar concepts. I have totally forgotten what the GRE was like and its so different now. It wouldnt matter anyway.
Yes, it is a bit difficult at first but once you get into the swing of things it becomes old hat and you get back into those latter years of procrastinating. I wouldn’t advise it though in grad school lots to do and it seems like its all due at the same time.
Jul 19th, 2007 at 08:29:13
and to think, you were just bragging about not paying those tickets a few weeks ago! i guess that means my one ticket will come back to bite me in the booty some day too. darn it!
Jul 19th, 2007 at 09:26:00
I am proud of you! It is hard work, but will be worth it in the end! You will enjoy being back in school-even if it means a little added stress =)
Jul 21st, 2007 at 16:04:43
Wow! I had no idea you wanted to pursue Grad School. I feel like such a crappy friend for not knowing this pertinent information. Of course I haven’t been reading your blog all that much. Right now I’m a little busy getting my transcripts sent from NKU so I feel your pain. Mine should come back no problem b/c I never got any tickets. Sorry about your luck.
Jul 22nd, 2007 at 11:44:52
Glad you got the tickets off your back. Bet you won’t let things slide next time - not an admonishment - just a comment. Best to you at Xavier. Know you’ll do well. Take care.
Jul 22nd, 2007 at 14:09:51
So will you take this over the web or looking to relocate??
Jul 22nd, 2007 at 14:34:28
Xavier’s in Cincy, so I wouldn’t have to relocate if I go there.
Aug 16th, 2007 at 01:26:19
Joe took the GMAT and aced it (but he decided to go to law school instead of business school). If you email me, I can ask him questions about it.
Aug 16th, 2007 at 07:51:15
I’ve got a couple of books I’m working through now. They’re mainly on how to beat the GMAT rather than topics to study, so I’m picking up a lot of tips from them. If I have any questions, you can bet I’ll write ya since Joe aced it!
Thanks!