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March 29, 2006
All the News
So my last entry was merely the day before my HBS interview, and now it's weeks later. I've had my HBS interview and my Stanford interview, spent 10 days in Brazil, and I even have my decisions to share!
My HBS interview was short and sweet. It was 30 minutes and with a friendly woman. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I stayed calm, confident, and brought in a revised ONE-PAGE version of my resume. (Note to undergrads: As much as you want to pack in all the great stuff you've done--especially to show that you can compete with the big kids--just keep it to one page. Really.) Would they want me to know the latest trends and news in the Business World? Would I have to work through a case? My interviewer was intimately familiar with my application. She asked me very specific questions about my plans, preferences for the order of my joint degree, and also listened to my reflections about my own candidacy. Her specific questions required specific, confident answers, which I was excited to be able to give. I left the interview feeling extremely confident about my candidacy and excited to join HBS.
And I got in!!! I've been elated since the day I got the email saying I would join the Class of 2010. Yes, B-school will not begin for me until 2008--after a year in Ghana as a Rotary Fellow and a year at the Kennedy School (which I am also thrilled to have gotten in to). I feel like a superstar.
But what about Stanford? Well, my interview was with a young, energetic, and admirable Latina who graduated recently. We met at the Chado Tea Room, an elegant locale that people come and have afternoon tea. It started off a little rocky, because I showed up a whole HOUR AND A HALF early (at least I was early rather than late). I read a few of the many magazines the tea room had on hand and waited patiently. After traveling back from my HBS interview, my computer's clock had gotten very confused and reset my appointments in my Outlook Calendar. Anyway, my Stanford GSB interview was very different. It was in-depth and more interactive. She was not as familiar with my application (I'm not even sure if she had any info on me besides my resume). Her questions required reflection on past experiences, and an ability to articulate to her the varied reasons why I would be a valuable contributor to the Stanford GSB community. I could hear myself talking A LOT and I was pretty confident that I gave honest, insightful, mature answers. However, I didn't feel AS CONFIDENT about my candidacy.
And I was waitlisted--which is still a really big deal because I might actually get in. I'm wavering back and forth between accepting a place on the waitlist and not. I haven't visited Stanford GSB and it may be a better program for me in its smallness and West Coastness and its wonderful Stanfordness.
However, staying at one institution for the 3 years is also very attractive. Spending 3 semesters each on two opposite coasts doesn't sound that great. I feel that I would be overextending myself trying to get to know two different communities in such a short period of time. Harvard also seems to have a lot more fellowships available (or maybe they do a better job at advertising them...)
So my mind is kind of already made up. I definitely don't want to just take a place on the waitlist for an ego-trip because that's ridiculous and might take someone's spot. I will decide by the end of this week and go on from there. I'm pretty much thinking it's going to be Harvard though! Two really exciting things about my going to the Kennedy School is that two of my very best friends in the whole world, Shadiah Sigala and Kevin Curry will be there. I am so blessed to have two essential members of my support network so close to me in my future!
I went to the Recent Admit reception in LA for the So-Cal admits to the MPP program at the Kennedy School. Not only was it fun, every single person there (with the exception of one person) was a person of color--including alumni, admissions and financial aid directors, and admits! I was delighted. However, I also had a great conversation with a current MPP student at Harvard who let me know that the numbers of African-American students are pretty similar to that of my undergrad--PITIFUL, though a ridiculously wonderful group of people. I hope that more initiatives like MBA Diversity can draw more students of color into the top schools like Harvard and the other schools that sponsor the organization. There are just too many wonderful, talented, intelligent students of color in this country whose potential gets eclipsed by challenges that they have little control over.
I certainly look forward to using the rest of my life to be an agent for social change so that people who look like me will be a part of the norm rather than the exception. Thanks for reading!
What's next: applying to the University of Ghana for my fellowship year, hearing back from Harvard regarding my fee waivers for the oh-so-high tuition deposits, what my boyfriend KT is doing next year (and how I fit in), and finishing up my last few weeks of college...
Posted by kaneisha at March 29, 2006 09:29 PM
Comments
Hello Kaneisha,
Congrads on your acceptance into both the HBS and the Kennedy School. I myself will be beginning my studies at the Kennedy School this fall and will be applying to the HBS and the Stanford GSB to pursue the dual degree.
It looks that I am one of the few MPP/UP candidates in the class of 2008 (I see that six MPP/UP were awarded degree this year) but I'm certain that we will run into each other during out time at Harvard (being member of the (black)minority, we'll definitely stick out)!
Take care and best wishes with your endeavors!
Posted by: Cedric Johnson at June 9, 2006 09:31 PM