MBA Program Update

So I got the phone call today. Unfortunately I was at work. The representative from Portland State University informed me that no I was not accepted to the MBA program due to my low GMAT score. If I said I was surprised that would be lying.

The first time I took the GMAT, I deserved the low score. I didn’t study enough and pretty much didn’t take it seriously. But the second time, I dedicated time at least five days a week to study. I would either wake up early and study, study at lunch, or at night. I made myself a notebook of math and grammar cheat-sheets. I still remember the formula for the distance between points. While I was taking the GMAT the second time, I felt pretty good about the test. Until I got the preliminary results. Then I felt like crap. After all of that studying, I got the same score. Really? I mean REALLY????

And the money. $500 that I could have used for something else. I could have given myself 500 paper cuts which would have been less painful than all the studying. Or bought a large hammer to smash my head repeatedly…After I got my preliminary score, I tried to fool myself and say that yeah they will accept me. As if pity will gain you acceptance into a graduate degree program. Obviously I have debunked that.

So now I doing the whole internal soul searching thing…what do I want? Why do I want it? How else can I get it?

The thing is I wanted the MBA for personal and professional reasons. Not just to be better than my little brother. Because God knows I will never make the kind of money he does. At least I can be better educated with more student debt. Cause that equals out, right? I thought obtaining an MBA would allow me to be eligible for promotions and obtain a better job.

I love Digital Marketing. There are so many things I want to learn: SEM, PPC, website analytics (beyond Google Analytics). But breaking into a job that would allow me to do this requires experience. How do I gain said experience. Then there are those no-sayers (like Penelope Truck) who poo poo an MBA. So I started looking at taking classes through PSU’s Development Center. Most of the classes I want to take are during the day. You know when I’m working…

So Plan B is slowly being flushed out. I have a few months to decide if I want to try and take the GMAT again, apply to a school that doesn’t require it, or shelve the idea for now.

Waiting…

I’m still waiting for word on my application for grad school at Portland State University. I despise waiting. So I’ve been trying to keep myself occupied with music, running, and reading.

Recently I discovered a deep love for Blues music. Thanks to Pandora, I’ve created a great station and have been exploring all types of music that is classified as Blues. I’ve found that I don’t enjoy Jazz music as much probably due to the brass section. I enjoy guitar and percussion more. I’ve also been listening to The Black Keys and recently Mumford & Sons. Both The Black Keys and Mumford & Sons are coming to Portland in October. I was able to pick up tickets to The Black Keys show. They originally had one show on a Monday night but added a Tuesday show! Mumford & Sons sold out in a day and a half so me and my friend are going to Seattle. A nice early birthday gift!

On the 8th of this month, I attempted to run 20 miles. I only made it 17 due to getting lost, chafe, and basically poor planning. Yesterday I tried the same route out again and made it! I’m running parts of the actual marathon course to get a feel for the terrain. The route goes over the St. John’s bridge which is a huge, old suspension bridge. I am scared of heights. Actually terrified is a better word. But I’ve run across the bridge twice now.

And reading. I’ve been reading a lot. Magazine, blog posts, books, papers. And its been good. Very good. But still I am waiting…