Hi,

i have only recently got an admit from Rotman and m planning to join this fall. Needed to know what is everyone doing for accomodation... in case any one from mumbai/pune is here lets see if we can meet up sometime...

is there a thread where this discussion is ongoing? please do let me know about the same...

i am basically from mumbai but working in pune... and am looking for room-mates to share an appartment with as i think i am too late for applying to the grad house...

in case there isn't a thread for this... i have started one here

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/81931-rotman-class-of-2014-roommates.html

please put in your comments there... thanks!

Hi guys,

i just got an admit from Rotman, was wondering if anyone from Pune/Mumbai is around. I m sure many here would have had an admit from 3 months ago n all...

have u made any plans about leaving for Toronto, and any kind of plans for accomodation?

please post details here... i suppose sharing an apartment close to the campus is the best option available...

also, in case we decide to leave at the same date, we can probably negotiate a good package from the airlines if not on cost factor atleast an increase on the amount of luggage...

do let me know your views on the same... (in case this has already been taken up, please direct me to the right thread... i couldn't find anything on the threads already active, hence started a new one.)

In my opinion, one should complete an MBA program in a country where he/she wants to work in. For instance, if you want to work in the states, get an MBA in the states. If you want to work in Canada, get an MBA in canada.

Now that being said, some schools do have a great reputation worldwide. In North America - Rotman has a good reputation. In Canada - Rotman has a great reputation. Schulich has a great rep as well - but like many on this thread (and others) have pointed out - that school is more cut out for general strategic management. Schulich makes you a good manager. Rotman (according to me) makes you a good business leader.

When i was choosing where to apply - i was thinking more about what the school has to offer in terms of resources - careers services, financial aid, clubs , curriculum, technical training, extra curricular activities. And in Rotman's case proximity to Bay street. For me proximity is a big factor. I've lived here for 2 years now and believe me, if you use your time wisely, you'll be able to meet more people simply by walking down bay street and say hi.

Most of these resources are usually available at big name universities - and Rotman does not disappoint. That being said - if you have offers from one of the top 25 universities in the states AND you want to work in the states - you're better off there.

As for queens vs rotman vs shulich vs ivey.

Schulich - i am not a fan, but i have applied there as well - so i really cannot tell you anything about that school other than the fact that it is an MBA factory. They produce tons of MBA graduates.

queens vs rotman vs ivey - honestly each one is great. i favor Rotman, because i do consider networking a big factor.

And for all internationals - living in downtown toronto itself is worth that 30k. Once you get here, you will realize that there's not much to do in waterloo or kingston and you'll be spending more money just to get to Toronto and meeting people for that internship you really want. So your social experience will be a lot better in toronto.

List of things to do before finalizing on a university:

1. What it teaches you - (obvious) - look at the curriculum, see if it suits your needs and expands your knowledge base.

2. What is the university's strength? - can it get you into the industry you want to work in? (this is by no means a guarantee - university should be able to help you get a foot in the door - rest up to the individual.)

2. Look at the location - do you really want to work in the same city? (Universities have most influence in the city in which they are located). It really would be hard to compete for a job in New York if you're a student in Toronto. They have enough smart people getting out of stern.

3. Look at the economic condition of that city. How is the market, what companies are located in the city, etc.

4. Picture yourself living in that city - see how you feel.

If you find that a university satisfies at least 95% of the above (and more) questions. the money automatically would not be a factor. In the end it is a large debt. If you think you can make enough money to pay back 70K of debt. Then i'm sure with a few more years of payment you can cover a debt of 100k as well.


Average salary in toronto - $40,000 (Everyone included (MBA, no MBA, skilled, unskilled) - source: i forgot, i will try to find official figures) . An MBA can expect anything from $60k - $150k. So, as long as you get hired, and you are smart with your finances, you should be able to pay back your loans. ( i have 25 year old friends here who work in IT - make around 60k and have bought $300k apartments. Very smart with personal finances. Leads me to believe that a 100k loan is doable).

---------------------

I hope this helps - when i chose university of Windsor for my undergraduate studies -i did not take location into consideration and believe me, it was not a good choice. The university was great but the experience wasn't. So make sure you don't make the same mistake.


PS: i find out if Rotman gives me admission or not tomorrow. So please do pray for me - i do realize that some of you are also competing for that same spot and that prayer may not come that easily =).

excellent post! thanks for putting it all in so beautifully... and all the best for your admit... hope to see u in class...

Hi guys,

Another admit notification coming through...

here is the timeline:

Application process initiated: 23rd October 2011.
Application submitted: 21st April 2012.
Confirmation of receipt of all documents: 26th April 2012.
Mail to confirm date and time for interview: 26th April 2012.
Time and date of interview: 27th April 2012.
Confirmation of admission (admit): 28th April 2012.

My experience with the ad-comm was pretty amazing. The questions were pretty general... similar to what one expects. I was glad to have the decision within a few hours of the interview (did have one sleepless night till the time i got the admit mail).

Details about my profile:

Indian, 25, BE Computers.
GMAT 710/6; TOEFL 116.
Work exp. of about 3.6 years in IT with diverse roles ranging from testing to sys admin.
OK acads; Strong Extras;

My two paise on the application process... its always better to start early and make sure u are satisfied with the application package especially the essays. Get the essays reviewed from loads of people but make sure the matter is all yours. Having different people review would help you in the approach to be followed for presenting the data and information that you wish to provide.

Try to think about all your accomplishments and ways in which you can portray them in a positive light. I know that with the Indian value system we are trained not to talk about our own accomplishments and generally cannot come up with something to write out about ourselves. however, one must realize that for the ad-com the essays are the only true means of knowing u and are also the means by which you can "sell" yourself to them. The best way to tackle this problem is to list down your achievements and put in the data that you have on a sheet of paper. Then ask a friend, colleague, parent, mentor, etc. to read through it and talk about it... that would atleast get you started on the essay and would also boost your morale/confidence about yourself.

As for the interview... try to keep it more of a conversation rather than a question answer session... and you will do well...

All the best to all... and do get back in case of queries... would be happy to help...

Hi Guys,

gave my GMAT today... scored a 710(q51/v35)

firstly thanks a lot to all the community members out there and the PG team!! u guys truly rock!! (yes that includes you, the person reading this post now though we may not know each other... trust me when i say this... u have touched my life in some way... n am really grateful for that )... all the posts on the forum and all the discussions that i had with people really helped me a lot. i learned stuff here that most books didn't teach me!! Thanks a ton!

secondly i need a little feedback frm u guys... am actually a little disappointed with my score as i was expecting something around 740-750... and i think if i hadn't screwed up verbal so badly i might have got it as well...

many of my frnds hv said that its a good score and if i concentrate on putting forward a good profile, might make it to some good college...

just thought i'll ask for an opinion frm u guys as well... comments and criticism on the score are more than welcome :-D please feel free to write whatever u think.

also, in case u want a complete story of my GMAT day and a description on the types of sections i had... please do let me know... will be glad to post my experience if it helps... also, in case u have any queries please feel free to ask i'll be more than happy to answer...

thanks once again!! Cheers!

Hi Guys,

i just came across this piece of information and thought that i should share it with everyone...

this is regarding the use of the constructs so as and as as

the difference lies in comparison of two quantities out of which one is better. For example, if we have the below sentence:

The movie was not as nice as the book it is based on.

here all we can understand is that the movie was not as nice as the book... which of the two was nicer is not known... however, the intended meaning is that the book was indeed better than the movie...

in such cases, we have to use the so as construct... hence the correct sentence is...

The movie was not so nice as the book it is based on.

hope this helps... :)

cheers!

Princess Diana's dresses set the standard for all fashion houses in Europe. Such a thing didn't happen before or since.

1. didn't happen before or
   
2. had neither happened before or
   
3. didn't happen before and hasn't happened
   
4. hasn't happened either before or
   
5. hadn't happened before and hasn't happened
   

It's really confusing. So please give a full explanation for your answer.

Thanks

i think its either 3 or 5... can't make up my mind... :-(

whats the OA??

congrats dude u got 4/4 and megha 3.5/4..
i wish to post more quests frm same source...mind if i disclose it later..?
i'll post now 10 questions...and wish everyone to time it...let's c how many we get right in 15 min or so...:

all d best

thanks bro... n keep up the good work...

and u can disclose the source when u want to... i was just curious!!

here r d OA's :
1. Cigarette companies claim that....Opt.A
2. Industry experts expect....opt B
3. Calories consumed in excess...Opt. B
4. Provinces and states with stringent...Opt. C

Thanks
Dipak

all correct!!!

btw... what is the source of these questions?

Provinces and states with stringent car safety requirements, including required use of seat belts and annual safety inspections, have on average higher rates of accidents per kilometer driven than do provinces and states with less stringent requirements. Nevertheless, most highway safety experts agree that more stringent requirements do reduce accident rates. Which one of the following, if true, most helps to reconcile the safety experts belief with
the apparently contrary evidence described above?

A. Annual safety inspections ensure that car tires are replaced before they grow old.
B. Drivers often become overconfident after their cars have passed a thorough safety inspection.
C. The roads in provinces and states with stringent car safety programs are far more congested and therefore dangerous than in other provinces and states.
D. Psychological studies show that drivers who regularly wear seat belts often come to think of themselves as serious drivers, which for a few people discourages reckless driving.
E. Provinces and states with stringent car safety requirements have, on average, many more kilometers of roads then do other provinces and states.

my take in bold...