Hello friends, here is my latest language "survey" which I've also posted via Facebook.
Would love to hear some of your stories ^_^
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I'd love to hear about what (second) language you've always wanted to learn (English? Spanish? Chinese? Japanese? Russian?), and hear your own personal story about WHY and HOW you came to want to learn that language i.e. what was the original motivating factor for you?
For example, was it a specific person(s) you wanted to be able to communicate with? A movie or book or music you wanted to be able to enjoy in the original language? etc.
Your story can be normal and straightforward, or it can be surprising and/or funny, but more than anything I'd love to hear from as many people as possible and get a broad spectrum of stories on WHY people chose to study the languages that they do.
I understand that sharing this kind of story can be a pretty private thing, so if you would like to help me out, please share your story via private message via my Facebook or my email (see below).
With that said, it's only fair that I start things off by sharing my own silly but all-too-true story haha.
I started learning Spanish since middle school (7th grade) not because I really wanted to but because everyone was required to take a second language back then, and between the two choices of French or Spanish, I chose Spanish because I figured it would be more useful since more people speak it.
But then sometime in high school, I found out about this woman named Adriana Lima (see picture below), a Brazilian supermodel, and I was in love at first sight. I had a large-size poster of this exact same image on my wall all throughout college.
I wanted to get really good at Spanish so that when I met her, I could really communicate with her and impress her with my mad skillz.
I would soon find out though, to my horror, that they don't speak Spanish in Brazil.
***CUE DRAMATIC MUSIC***
But fortunately for me, not too long after, I did some Google research and was relieved to learn that Adriana Lima actually is fluent in Spanish as well (WHEW THAT WAS CLOSE). Thus, my quest to learn Spanish was not all for naught, as I had initially feared.
Again, if you have your own language story you'd like to share, please let me know via private Facebook message or via email.
As many of you know, I recently applied for admission to several business schools in the US. I did so because after 4 years of working experience and everything I've worked on and experienced in that time, I felt like the time was right to take the next big step in my life and my career.
So I applied to 5 different schools, 4 of them in the Boston or California area, with the ultimate goal of entering the world of entrepreneurship and innovation. (California and Boston are home to the #1 and #2 largest entrepreneurial communities in the US and in the world, respectively)
So with all that said, I'd like to announce that beginning this Fall, I will be attending the...
I won't be going to business school this Fall.
I got rejected to all 5 schools I applied to.
If you want proof and/or you're curious what a business school rejection letter looks like, you can check out all 5 rejection letters which I've copied and pasted below at the bottom of this entry.
It's definitely disappointing, but it's certainly not unexpected. I knew going in that my chances were not that great - I was hoping for the best but prepared for the worst.
The goals and objectives of private universities are not that different from that of an asset management firm - every year they have to look at a pool of thousands of applicants and "invest" in the ones they consider the best assets i.e. large probable upside with minimim forseeable downside, in the hopes that they will maximize the return on their investment. This return comes in the form of post-graduation salary (which will help boost that school in the rankings) and alumni contributions (which are the lifeblood of a university).
I knew even before I applied that, on paper, I was definitely not the ideal "asset" for a business school. The most desirable business school applicants are those who have always gotten perfect grades and had a GPA above 3.7, who plan on going into a high-paying industry like Investment Banking or Consulting after graduating, and who come from a long family history of higher education and/or wealth (two factors which are highy correlated with alumni donations down the road). Like I said, large probable upside with minimum foreseeable downside.
In my case, I went to a pretty good school but I was never the greatest student academically, especially for an Asian (haha), as I've definitely gotten my fair share of C's and D's in my time. And because I have zero intention of going into Investment Banking or Consulting and instead want to become an entrepreneur, that means I'll be earning below-average salary for several years until I succeed (if ever) and I certainly won't be able to make any alumni donations anytime soon. I am more of a case of "possibly large but highly uncertain upside, with some clear red flags and signs of potential downside."
Even though I knew my chances of being admitted were not that great, I figured it can't hurt to try, and I liked the fact that I'd have to write all those essays about my "short-term and long-term goals" and my strengths and weaknesses, because all the time spent ruminating on these topics would force me to evaluate whether or not I really, truly want this.
And I'm glad to say that even after writing all those essays, and even after getting rejected to every school I applied to, I still want to become an entrepreneur more than ever.
Even though I didn't get into business school, my ultimate mission remains unchanged - I want to get back to the US by the end of 2012 (preferably in Cali, Boston, or NYC) , meet other entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs and really get inside those networks, and find a way to revolutionize the way people learn a second language.
Business school was just one (of several) possible means to this end. Simply put, it was the safest and by far most expensive option, but now that it's off the table, my next move is plain and clear - I will be taking the more difficult but also much less expensive road to becoming an entrepreneur. The silver lining to getting rejected is that I'm free of the 200,000+ dollars of debt that I would've been saddled with had I gone to business school.
Since finding out I got rejected to my fifth and final school this past Friday, I've been talking with my parents for hours on end this weekend, about my plans and aspirations to enter the world of entrepreneurship.
As any reasonable parents would say, they would much rather I stay in my stable, well-paying job instead of attempting to do something that comes with so much uncertainty and risk.
But I know in my heart that this is something I have to do and that now is the right time for me to do this, and I know that I can't take the passion and energy I have right now for granted. Passion and energy are two of the most finite and fickle resources known to man, and I have to strike while the iron is hot, and while I'm still young and healthy and not burdened by the responsibilities of being a husband and father.
But after hours of back-and-forth discussion with my parents on the subject, I managed to get their blessing, on the condition that I set a clear timetable and have a clear idea and plan for how I will spend that time.
So now my path is clear, and now it's all on me. Since I won't be able to go to business school and I won't have access to their vast resources and large networks of students and professors and alumni, I will have to go about making my own.
Right now I can count on one hand the number of established or aspiring entrepreneurs I know. But I'll contact them all, see if they can introduce me to anyone they know, and keep on growing and expanding my network from there. It won't be easy, but then again nothing worth doing in life ever is.
So that's the update on my situation, and the next big step in my life begins NOW. Wish me luck, because I'll definitely need some along the way :)
I won't give up~
...because I am the greatest.
========== Haas School of Business (University of California Berkeley) ==========
April 12, 2012
After a careful review of your application to the Full-time Berkeley MBA Program, we regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to the fall 2012 entering class.
Each year, we are fortunate to receive an overwhelming number of applications from talented individuals. Although most of our applicants are qualified for admission, we are able to offer admission to only a small percentage of them each year.
Every application is reviewed thoroughly by a minimum of two readers. As we evaluate applicants, we consider their academic background, professional experience and accomplishments, and personal qualities as demonstrated by their written responses and record of involvement. Our applicant pool is highly competitive across all of these areas. Please note that all application decisions are final, and there is no appeal process.
Since you completed the interview process and/or accepted a place on the waitlist, we would like to offer you the opportunity to receive feedback on your application for admission if you intend to reapply to Berkeley-Haas. If you would like to speak with a member of the admissions committee about the strengths and weaknesses of your application, you may phone our office during the months of June or July to schedule a 15-minute phone appointment. We regret that we cannot offer feedback prior to June, as we must continue to read and evaluate applications for fall admission.
The time and energy that you spent completing our application and awaiting our decision have not gone unnoticed. We appreciate your interest in the Berkeley MBA program and your commitment to furthering your management education.
We wish you the best success in your professional endeavors.
========== Stanford Graduate School of Business ==========
March 28, 2012
Dear Peter Shin:
Thank you for applying to the Stanford Graduate School of Business. We have completed the review of applications, and I am sorry that we cannot offer you admission to the Stanford MBA Program.
We evaluated your application along three dimensions: (1) intellectual vitality; (2) demonstrated leadership potential; and (3) personal qualities and contributions. We assessed the overall quality of your written application, including the essays and letters of reference.
As we explain in our application materials, the admission process is not one in which we merely separate out those candidates with weaknesses and admit all the rest. Were we to do that, we would have a class several times its intended size. We carefully evaluate each individual file, and then review it in the context of the entire applicant pool. In an effort to create an engaging student community, we select those applicants who, collectively, represent a breadth of background, talent, and experience.
Please be assured that our deliberations are neither quick nor effortless, and many involve difficult choices. We typically receive well over 6,000 applications for our class of 396 students. Because there are many more qualified and deserving candidates than places available in the class, there is necessarily a subjective element to the selection process. This is why there rarely are precise reasons for an applicant's denial. The final results simply reflect our best efforts.
I am sorry that I could not bring you better news, especially since we know that you have invested considerable time and effort in your application. We appreciate your interest in the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and thank you for the privilege of reading your application.
Sincerely,
Derrick Bolton
Assistant Dean for MBA Admissions
========== MIT Sloan School of Management ==========
March 26, 2012
Dear Mr. Shin:
The Admissions Committee of the MIT Sloan MBA Program has considered your application and has regretfully concluded that we cannot offer you a place in the incoming class.
As you no doubt realize, the MIT Sloan School is comparatively small, with approximately 324 MBA students entering each year. While our size offers advantages to both our students and faculty, it also creates an extremely difficult selection process––this year, over 4,000 candidates will compete for the 324 places in the class. I think it is no exaggeration to say that the majority of our applicants would be good students for our program. Since we have so few spaces to offer, the problem is not only choosing academically and professionally qualified applicants, but also choosing the very strongest candidates from a field of extraordinarily talented individuals.
We realize this news comes as a disappointment. I do hope, however, that you will accept our best wishes for your success.
Sincerely,
Rod Garcia
Senior Director of MBA Admissions
========== The Wharton School ==========
February 28, 2012
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your application to the Wharton MBA program. I regret that the Admissions Committee is unable to offer you a position in the Wharton MBA Class of 2014.
Each year the Wharton MBA program receives thousands of applications from highly qualified candidates. The Committee's job of selecting the entering class is extremely difficult as virtually every candidate demonstrates significant professional and personal contributions and potential. We are left with the unpleasant task of denying admission to many fine individuals who would, no doubt, succeed in the program and contribute to Wharton's standard of excellence.
Let me assure you that your application received a thorough review by the Committee and your candidacy was given full consideration. The fact that you did not receive an invitation to interview in no way reflects your intellectual abilities, personal achievements, or potential for continued success.
Please know that we have many successful re-applicants each year, and should you choose to reapply in a future year we provide ample guidance on our website to assist you. The Admissions Office will keep your application on file for two years. Please follow the procedures that will be included in next year's application (available online in July 2012). All reapplications will be reviewed within the context of the overall applicant population at that time.
Thank you again for your interest in Wharton. I wish you success in your graduate studies, as well as in your personal and professional endeavors.
Sincerely,
Ankur Kumar, C'00 W'00 WG'07
Director
========== Harvard Business School ==========
February 14, 2012
Dear Peter:
The MBA Admissions Board sincerely appreciates your interest in our program, and recognizes the considerable potential and strength evident in your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer you a place in the MBA Class of 2014. I am sorry to convey disappointing news.
In reviewing this round of applications, we saw a great deal of talent, accomplishments and energy. Please know that composing a cohort with maximum texture and range in experience, backgrounds, and perspectives is an extremely difficult task. Ultimately, it is a matter of numbers -- due to the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to admit many strong candidates -- candidates who have excellent credentials and who demonstrate strong promise for careers in management.
We thank you for considering Harvard Business School. Please accept our best wishes for future success.
Sincerely,
Deirdre C. Leopold
Managing Director, MBA Admissions & Financial Aid
