Points to note for getting a demand draft in foreign currency from Indian Banks

Some points to note for making a demand draft in foreign currency.

1. Usually banks take 2-3 hours time from the point of submission of demand-draft application to the point of handing over the demand draft to you. I didn't knew this and had to travel across Bangalore to get the draft. (in case you have an ICICI saving's acount and you are getting the draft from non-home branch, be careful as you are eligible for only one non-home branch per month without any charges. Don't know about other banks!)
   
2. You need to have a documentary proof as to why do you need a demand draft in foreign currency. I carried a xerox of the Queen's Admit letter which had come in the courier.
3. Instruct in the demand draft application the currency required clearly and also check the same when you receive the demand draft. There is sometimes a confusion between US$ and Canadian$.
4. Mention clearly the Payee's name and verify the same when you receive the demand draft. Bank officials can be careless at times. For my case it was important as "Queen's" is very different from "Queens".

Also, take a xerox of the demand draft for records before you send.

Ah! something finally! ($2000 sent)

Finally I sent my Can$2000 security deposit to Queen's along with my completed Personal details and photographs. It will reach the Queen's office most probably on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 in case the DHL people don't want to loose it on the way like last time.

This is the first written confirmation from my side, accepting the Queen's admission offer!

What the heck?

Since the start of 2007, mails and forwards have been pouring describing 2007 as a unique year-unique in a sense that all holidays fall on weekdays (atleast for the Indian holiday system). I was happy to know and had also forwarded the same mail to many others. But never knew it will affect in a negative sense.

I couldn't get the Can$2000 draft for Queen's yesterday as was fixed up with work. I thought that I will get it today. The weekday holiday schedule of 2007 finally hit me, for the first time. The bank was closed today as there was some holiday.

My earlier efforts to get the draft on a Saturday were in vain as the ICICI Bank doesn't deal in forex on a Saturday! The work's pending since many days and its been a week since I received the courier containing the official admit letter in print.

There have been delays in the loan processing work because of the way holidays are spread in 2007, specially for banks.

Keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow is not another day in the non-weekend holiday calendar.

Case of availing 2 education loans for 1 course

Question:
Not being able to take a loan from 2 diff banks for the same course, why is this a problem?

Answer: (Courtesy NK)
While applying for an educational loan, in the student educational loan form there is an undertaking which we have to sign. It explicitly states that ¡§I have not taken any other loan for funding this course. That makes it impossible to apply for more than one loan for the same course. Had it been allowed otherwise then everyone would take loans worth 5 lakhs from four different banks. This way we would save a lot of money also, since the interest rate charged increases proportionately with the loan amount. The only other option is to give a false undertaking i.e sign that part of the form and still take loan from some other bank. How ever I would strongly advice against it as there is every possibility of this matter coming to the banks notice. Under such a situation the undertaking is considered "fraud" and the offender is liable to be tried under law.

Debate Ends!

The dilema, the debate ends!

Which is better: Queen's or Ivey?
Which gets you a better job: Queen's or Ivey?
Compare Queen's vis a vis Ivey?
What if Ivey gives you a scholarship? Will you still join Queen's?
..............
..............
This and much more!

But finally the debate has ended! A reject from Ivey is what it needed to do the job!
In fact, had prayed for it once. One can say I am just too happy with my Queen's admit and don't have to do the process of comparison and choosing which is better.
It has ended few of my future colleagues' fears!

But there is little sadness. Ivey being the only school for which I had put lots of efforts. For all the three other schools, the essays wouldn't have require this much effort if there were submitted at its number. The essays were re-written twice, re-verified; CV was re-structured, enhanced; certain questions unanswered before were answered. In a nut-shell, the application was different from others and hence required considerable efforts.

Anyways, God has granted me what I had asked for. But still do I need to say...
"Beggars can't be choosers?" or "Its difficult for a begger to choose between a Re 1 note and Re 1 coin".

The final verdict: Ivey's Reject

The Final Hawk is down!
The final and the awaited of the four application results just came. Unexpectedly a reject!
After 2 successful interview calls, here is what came back!

From: @ivey.uwo.ca
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 9:49 PM
To:
Subject: Ivey MBA Program

Dear ,
After careful consideration of your application, the admissions committee regrets to inform you that your application has not been accepted for the Master of Business Administration Program. This decision should not be viewed as a reflection of your potential for a successful career in business.

We would like to thank you for considering our school and we appreciate the time and effort that you put into your application. The committee considered it carefully and commends you on your successes to date.

Admission to the Ivey MBA Program is competitive. In assessing applications, the committee looks at undergraduate and graduate grades, GMAT, full-time work experience, extra-curricular involvement, achievements and leadership qualities. The committee finds it must disappoint many applicants who are well qualified for other programs.

If you wish to re-apply to Ivey you must wait at least one year and clearly demonstrate how you have improved your application.

Thank you for your interest in the Richard Ivey School of Business. We wish you every success in your future endeavours.

Sincerely,
....

Tips for Education Loans

Two points mentioned in a mail by one of my friends.

1. Availing more than one education loan for the same course is not allowed. This means it is not possible to take two loans of 7.5 lakhs from two different banks.
2. A financial adviser strongly recommends that I should take the loan at the fixed rate instead of floating (though there is a difference of 1.5% currently in favor of floating rate), since our repayment period will definitely exceed 3 years, so in the long run fixed interest rate works out better as the floating rate is increasing continuously.
   

Thanks N for this

Accommodation @ Queen's

The queries about accommodation during Queen's MBA course have been in discussion since very long. Till date there are 9 guys and 2 gals who have confirmed joining the Queen's MBA by paying the CAN$2000 initial deposit.
Now the questions are

1. When to start scouting? How early?
2. How?
3. How many together in one place/sharing?
4. Outside campus accommodation vs inside (Queen's Graduate Residence)
5. Only Indian or mixed? (let the Queen's diversity point get in every dimension of a student's life!!)
6. All guys/mixed!
   

The first question is one which is being asked again and again with some people of the opinion that the scouting can be done in a day or two even after reaching Kingston.
The second question found some reply, thanks to R: Check out the Queen's University's accommodation classified page/listing service @ http://notes.queensu.ca/ALSWeb.nsf
The third remains a personal option-single, 2 in1, 3 in 1, 4 in 1, 5 in 1 or even 6 in1
The fourth question has multiple views about the benefits of staying inside and outside. But staying outside has surely some benefits w.r.t. the money part of it.
The fifth question has been just raised by one of the current students.
The sixth point-ah! the controversy between thinking, belief and fantasy!

Links:

• Queen's University Residence: https://housing.queensu.ca/residence/
• Queen's University General Residence Info: https://housing.queensu.ca/residence/apply/gradapp.pdf
• Queen's Residence Fee Schedule: http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/fees/res-grad.html
  

Happy Hunting!

Travel Cards

For payment in foreign currency while abroad, there are many options like credit cards, debit cards, travel cards, travelers' cheques and of course cash.
I explored the option of travel cards from few of the different merchants.

SBI Vishwa-yatra card:
A pre-paid forex card which can be re-charged with foreign currency from SBI. It can be used as a debit card for purchases (no transaction fees) and withdraw cash from ATM (USD$ 1.75 per transaction). Copy of Passport required for issuing. Some kind of insurance also offered. Convert unused foreign currency back into INR on return.
Issue charges: Rs 110
Re-charge charges: Rs 50

Related Links:

• SBI Vishwa-yatra card FAQs: http://sbi.co.in/viewsection.jsp?lang=0&id=0,453,103,289
  
• Pre-paid forex cards @ MoneyControl: Link

ICICI Travel Card:
Almost similar to SBI card
Details at http://icicibank.com/Pfsuser/cards/travel_card/index.htm

Thomas Cook Global Money Card:
Details at http://www.thomascook.com/currency/travelchequecard.asp

Useful Links about Travel Cards:
Safety Tips: http://icicibank.com/Pfsuser/cards/travel_card/safety_tips.htm
Do's and Don'ts: http://icicibank.com/Pfsuser/cards/travel_card/dos.htm

Seminar on Canadian Immigration

There was a Canadian Immigration seminar by CILA in Bangalore on January 26, 2007
It turned out to be a Canadian Immigration Agent seminar. But still I could collect some valuable points.

• There are 6 points on which an applicant is judged namely Education, Official Language, Experience, Age, Arranged Employment in Canada, Adaptability. One needs to score 67 out of 100 in these points. Upon searching found the same information on net at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-5.html for skilled labor.
• With a Canadian PR, one can work in US.
• One can work on-campus for max of 20 hrs per week without work permit and if the education/study course enrolled is Full time
• One can work off-campus for max of 20 hrs per week during the study days and 40 hrs per week during vacations
• The work permit obtained as a part of study permit depends on the length of study permit. For example: for a 4 yrs study permit, the work permit is approx 2 yrs.

Queen's 2k8 Y! Group in action

Today for the first time I saw a group (Queen's 2008 Y!) so much active.
Mail flew from one side to another.
There were queries, info exchange, suggestions and much more.
The year ahead looks to be a pepply, enthusiastic one!

Good luck champ!

2nd Hawk down: NUS Reject

The 2nd in the series of Rejects (but surely after a successful admit!)

Received the following from NUS today:

From: NUS MBA Online Applications
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 3:10 PM
To: <>
Subject: NUS MBA Application

Dear <>,
Thank you for applying to our MBA program. The Admissions Committee has completed our review of your application for admission to our MBA 2007 intake. Despite your many merits as a candidate, you have not been selected for interview this round. However, we will be re-considering your application in the next and final round.

You will receive a final decision from the Admissions Committee on the outcome of your application no later than May 2007. Due to the overwhelming number of applications, we seek your understanding that we are unable to provide feedback on individual applications.

Thank you for your interest in the NUS MBA.

Regards,
NUS MBA Admission

Work Permit Query & PR Query

I had my Ivey’s interview yesterday and at the start of the interview only, the interviewer told me some thing which made me speechless for sometime. She was a Relationship Manager and involved with companies at Ivey’s for career management.

She told me that we need to have a work permit apart from Study permit to be able to work in Canada after your study. In case you don’t have that the companies will be reluctant to take you or create some problems. So she advised me to start the process of getting a work permit/PR/Landed Immigrant status along with the Study permit. What I knew was that Study visa gives you a work permit of approx 1 year to work after your studies have finished. She told me that this is true but not one yr but a very small time, so work permit is very much required.

I told interviewer that Embassy gives Study permit after being sure that the person is coming back to the home country. If I start my process of work permit, I will not get my study permit. She says she doesn’t know how embassy works and I need to check on it.

What needs to be checked is -

• for point 1 (it will be definitely true as she is involved in this process and hence know about this), what is to be done.
• If one would like to work in US if not just after but some years after the MBA, what is that he needs to do now.

Emmigration Check not Required (ECNR) clearance

For most people, ECNR (Emmigration check not required) is striked off in their passports and the same needs to be cleared. Once the clearance is acquired, one saves some checks which are done on the airport while on international travel.
Though not very much required but its preferred to get it done.

Browsing on the net, there are many discrepancies w.r.t. the documents required for getting an ECNR Clearance. Its better to have the following

• Rs 400 as application fees for ECNR clearance
• Original and xerox of Indian Passport
• Eligibility proof for ECNR Clearance: B.Tech Degree, 10th, 12th degree: both xerox and original
• PAN Card (if applicable)

Related Links:

• Govt of India, Delhi Regional Passport Office: Link
  
• Govt of India, Ministry of External Affairs FAQs: http://passport.gov.in/cpv/faq.htm
• Regional Passport Office, Bangalore FAQs: Link
• Regional Passport Office, Bangalore ECNR Details: http://nitpu2.kar.nic.in/passport/ecnr_ecr.htm

ECNR Form @ Regional Passport Office, Bangalore (Form#2-miscellaneous) : https://passport.gov.in/cpv/miscell.pdf

Ivey's Interview 2 done!

This time for the interview I was alone. That too after a long day at office!
The call came on time on the land-line phone.

The interview started with the interviewer explaining the way the Career Management Team at Ivey works, the work permit issue and Permanent Resident-ship (PR) issue.
She told me that we need to have a work permit apart from Study permit to be able to work in Canada after your study. In case you don’t have that the companies will be reluctant to take you or create some problems. So she advised me to start the process of getting a work permit/PR/Landed Immigrant status along with the Study permit. What I knew was that Study visa gives you a work permit of approx 1 year to work after your studies have finished. She told me that this is true but not one yr but a very small time, so work permit is very much required.
She also told me that we have to make our own effort to get a job. This is different from what I know. I have heard that companies do come. From one of Queen’s people’s mouth I heard-you can get a job but for getting a job of your choice, you will have to work out yourself. I very much agree with the Queen’s statement but am astonished to hear the other statement (one just above it).
I told interviewer that Embassy gives Study permit after being sure that the person is coming back to the home country. If I start my process of work permit, I will not get my study permit. She says she doesn’t know how embassy works and I need to check on it.

This really made me to think seriously about the PR thing. But at that moment, I had to proceed with the interview.

The questions were more or less the same as those were in the last 2 interviews.

The turning points came at the end, when she said that the results of the interview will be out by 4-6 weeks. I hoped that word "weeks" was "days". I asked her then if there can be a third interview. The answer "yes" made me really think about the credibility of the Ivey's program as to what they wanted to test in me.

I told her that the visa processing in India takes time and giving such a small notice time, it will be difficult. She said that her department know about the time it takes for visa processing in different countries.

Let's see what is the outcome of this ordeal.

Is there a third interview in store for me? Time will tell!!

SBI Education Loan details

Visited the SBI's (State Bank of India) St. Marks Road Branch to check out details of Educational Loan

Details:

• Amount of Loan: 20 Lakhs INR
• Loan Processing Time: 1 month (approx) (Valuation of property takes time)
  
• Applicants: Student as main applicant and parents are co-applicants
• Repayment Period: 7 years (max)
• Rate of Interest: 12.5% pa# (Floating)
• Processing Fees/File/Miscellaneous Charges : Nil ^
• Margin money: Didn't check
  
• Security: Tangible property like House as collateral
• Conversion Charge from INR to $: To be checked
  
• Money transfer mode: The money will be transferred directly to the university upon request-takes approx a week. Rs 600 charged every time for draft mode and Rs 1000 for TT mode.
  

# The Rate of Interest is decreased by 1% (i.e. its 11.5%) if the interest is paid during the moratorium period (the time period when the re-payment of loan has not started)
^ SBI collects a cheque of Rs 5000 for processing, but this is returned if the loan facility is availed. In case, the applicant doesn't avail the loan, Rs 5000 are not refunded.

Documents Required:

1. Loan Application form
2. Copy of the offer of acceptance from University
3. Details of expenses from University including Tuition fees, living expenses etc.
   
4. Mark-sheets of 10th, 12th and qualifying degree (e.g. B.Tech)
5. Photograph of applicant (2)
6. IT Return and Form 16 for co-applicants for last 3 years (not for applicant-student)
7. Copy of applicant's passport
   

Certain answers to questions in particular

• Which location should the loan be taken? Preferably at the location where the collateral is there
• Can I get a loan sanctioned for Rs 20 Lakhs, but use only 10 Lakhs? If yes, what about interest? YES, this can be done. The amount which is withdrawn from the sanctioned amount only is calculated for interest [You might need to withdraw a small part of loan initially-can be as small as 50,000. Its like using your credit card the first time to activate it. Check with bank as this can very with bank to bank]
  
• Can I get a loan sanctioned for Rs 20 Lakhs, but withdraw 10 Lakhs now and rest 10 Lakhs after 6 months? If yes, what about interest? YES, this can be done. The interest will start to be calculate only when the amount is withdrawn. e.g. In May, the first 10 Lakhs is withdrawn, the interest will start the time the money has been withdrawn. In December, the second 10 Lakhs is withdrawn, so the interest on the second 10 Lakhs start from December
  

Related Links:

• Education Loan@ SBI : http://www.sbi.co.in/viewsection.jsp?id=0,1,20,118
• Education Loan Application Form @ SBI: http://www.sbi.co.in/downloadfile.jsp?fileid=82
• Education Loan Details from Indian Bank's Association : http://www.iba.org.in/educational_loan.asp
• Education Loan Details of various banks in India: Link

Terms used:
A collateral loan is also called a secured loan. It is a loan obtained from a banking or other financial institution, where in exchange, the creditor may sell that which is offered for collateral if the loan is unpaid. A collateral loan is often offered at a lower interest rate than an unsecured loan, because there is a guarantee of repayment should the borrower default on the loan (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-collateral-loan.htm)

Margin Money: Banks lend out huge money in the form of home loans. Margin money can be best described as an upfront down payment that reassures the lender of the borrower's financial stability and commitment. The upfront down payment can range from as low as five to as high as 15 percent. ( Economic Times Link )

Blunder w.r.t. Canadian Visa photo

• How do you think there can be some difference between Visa photo clicked at Hyderabad and Bangalore when the embassy and the specifications are same?
• Can I say I've come to the right place, the best in Bangalore as they say and still get the wrong photograph?
• Earlier there has been a case-the visa was rejected. Why should i suffer because of your fault?

The above are the few of the many things that I had to shell out apart from money at the photographer's shop when I got the Canadian Visa pic on a "matt" paper. One of my colleagues had confirmed that for her travel to Canada, the travel agent had asked her to get the pics on "glossy" paper as the Visa might get rejected. (The third question above was little far stretched to get the point across ;) )
So finally, gave the order for the Canadian Visa pics to be re-done on a glossy paper.

The specifications for Canadian Visa Photograph are given at http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/photospecifications.html

Apart from this, keep in mind

• The photo should have your face clear
• The photo should have a light background
• The Canadian Embassy wants the negative along (maybe its the only embassy that asks for a negative). So be sure to take the negative even if the photographer denies.
• The photograph should be on a "glossy" paper. Glossy paper is the one which is very common and is soft to touch. The other kind of paper used is "matt" which has rough surface
• Get sufficient photos done as you don't know how many you require and when and where.
  

Accomodation hunt started

Its just been a few days since I got the admit and had not started thinking anything other than my admit until one of the fellow Queen's admit told that there are just 12 rooms in the hostel for MBA students which are decided through a lottery!
So the process is on now! Looking for Kingston area. Using his research to decide on the accommodation!

Visa application links

Canadian Visa applications for applicants outside Chandigarh and Delhi can be processed through VFS who have officially tied up with Canadian Embassy.

VFS: http://www.vfs-canada.co.in

Visa application details: http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/visaapplication.html
Visa photo specifications: http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/photospecifications.html

Other Canadian Visa application sites: http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/new-delhi/menu-en.asp

DHL University Express Page has some tips for Visa @ http://dhluniversityexpress.com/visas.asp

Canadian Visa photo clicked

Ah! I am one step closer to the Visa by getting the Visa photograph clicked.
Will get it tomorrow. Let's see how it comes.

Queen's Official Offer Letter Packet received

I received the Queen's official offer letter packet by Fedex.
It contains

• Official offer letter on the Queen's School of Business letter head personally signed by BW.
  
• Personal Data form
• Details of the Study Admit process
• Details of the research being done at Queens

I have to get the Personal Data form typed and send it back with CAD$2000 as initial deposit.

Visa Counselor's advice

I talked to one of the Visa Counselor at VFS Bangalore and got the following information

• Liquid Cash doesn't only mean cash in your bank account, but also includes anything which can be readily converted to cash. This includes Mutual Funds, Insurance.
• What other than Cash in bank account can be used to show finance for Visa application? Apart from Liquid cash Insurance, Mutual Funds, Fixed Deposits, Provident Funds can be used for showing the finances for the Visa Application.
• You don't really need the money from the Bank Loan for the Visa Application. The sanction letter is enough to prove your financial worth.
• When I told her that I will be getting my Provident Fund encashed, so she advised me not to do that. Doing this would make me questionable on the huge amount of fund deposits in my bank accounts.
• She advised me to get the photos(3) required for Visa of the proper specifications: 1.5 inches by 2 inches. (more info about the photo specifications available at http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/photospecifications.html
• What about getting a loan with a US Cosigner? (I asked this question as I had heard that Visa can be rejected if you have a US loan with a US-Cosigner) It is not easy to get such a loan. Further you will make your Visa application complex. You can go for a US sponsorer though
• Difference between Co-signer and sponsorer? Co-signer will take the entire responsibility of your loan amount, if it is not repaid. A sponsorer can undertake your education expenses with what he already has.
  

VFS (http://www.vfs-canada.co.in) has visa counseling facilities for a charge of Rs 2500 where they help you collect your papers for Visa and counsel you for any help for Visa applications.

ISIC Card

I found a ISIC Card information from STIC Travel centre. There are some discounts on air fares etc.
Information is available at http://isicweb.net/
In case one has sent his international couriers by DHL University Express, he might have got this card. One needs to send >=3 University applications to get this card free. Details at http://dhluniversityexpress.com/abt.asp

Kingston Info

Searching for Information on Kingston found interesting information

• Kingston is the birth place of famous pop singer Bryan Adams
• Singer Avril Lavigne, from nearby Napanee, began her career after gaining notice singing at a Kingston fair and bookstore.
• The first winner of the television series Canadian Idol was Kingston native Ryan Malcolm.
• Kingston was the home of Canada's first Prime Minister,Sir John A. Macdonald.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston,_Ontario

Visa...offo

Lots of formalities..for someone who's new to all this-no onsite exp, no NRI relative!!
Lots many links.. have mailed the VFA centre in Bangalore about their services.

what next????

the question is finally there..what next???
Finance?
Visa?
or anything more..

Visa cannot be applied for until the Finance options are clear and chalked out.
Other queries about stay are already in discussion. Lets see how things take shape. Accommodation in the University Campus is costly. Planning for a 4-5 sharing apartment.

Schedule
Date of Start of the Program: May 02, 2007
Plan to Reach the University: April 29, 2007
Maybe staying in Toronto for a day or so. So Planned date of reaching Toronto: April 26, 2007
Planned date of starting from Delhi: April 24, 2007
Date by which everything should be ready: April 10, 2007
Planned date to leave Bangalore: April 10, 2007

The excitement has just started

Phone Calls, Messenger Statuses ('the don has the QUEEN') and mails ruled the day!!
Didn't have the mood to sleep!! Earlier i couldn't sleep and now its like this.
AH! The itinerary..

• 2 years
• 2 GMATs
• 2 TOEFLs (thanks to ETS)
  
• 2nd application
• 2nd interview ever (1st Telephonic)

NO 2nd thought!

"2" rules!

Aa gaya ..aa gaya.. Queen's ka admit aa gaya!!

Ah! Finally!
A mail from R*t* which reads:

Dear Mr. ...:
You have been accepted to the MBA program. Congratulations! I am attaching a letter from Mr. .... and will be sending a package containing the personal data form and other material to you via FedEx. Please verify that the address on the letter is where you would like to package to go. Thanks.

The letter read:
January 17, 2007

Dear Mr
I am pleased to advise that the Admissions Committee has accepted your application for admission to the MBA program for the session beginning May 2007. Please retain this letter as your official permit to register. All MBA students will begin classes on May 2, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. Further information will be sent to you over the next several months.

.........
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Regards,
....

...............
SO I AM IN...the class of 2008 @ Queen's Business School!!

Day and night 3 also gone

January 17 also passed with no mail from Queen's.
The night of 17th didn't bring any mail either.
I am loosing patience. I will call the ad-com today.
Lets hope for the best!

Is this called 'Burning the mid-night lamp'?

Monday: January 15, 2007 passed..not completely..according to IST, the day passed. The night was still lying ahead like a huge stone unturned.
Night also passed!!

Tuesday: January 16, 2007 passed.again Day and the long night was again ahead of me. The trauma was like a dog waiting for something to be put before him in his bowl..wagging his tongue and tail..in sync!
Tuesday night also passed!!

2 nights have passed but not easily. No sleep, full of anxiety. Before I can see clearly in the morning, Hotmail is wide open to be checked for any new mail. What comes is some advertisement mail or some chat request from some university...but no mail which comes from a queens.ca domain is there.

This is an entirely different explaination for the idiom 'Burning the mid-night lamp'!
The wait is still on..the eyes are still waiting..never before I have undergone this experience.
Should I call the ad-com? Let's wait for some more time!

Anxiety, Curiosity, Desperation, Tension, Worry..you name it--I got it!

Finally one week's over!! (& only I (and ..) know how it went!)

Interviewer had told me that the ad-com will meet next week (means this week) and I can expect a reply in 7-10 days.
I have somehow managed to pass seven days and am curiously pressing the 'Send/Receive' button on my Outlook from the past 3 days, a desperate wait for a mail from Queen's ad-com. I have not checked hotmail these many times in the past 2 years as i have done in last 3 days. I have not even spared the Junk-email folder folder. Imagine, at this hour, even junk email doesn't come.

Just sent myself an email to check if the account is receiving emails--and YES it is! Then why the hell no mails are coming!

Speculation about the possible day of the ad-com meeting has failed for one fellow applicant's case.
Curiosity and anxiety has killed my appetite.
Tension and worry are giving me a jitters.

In the past 3 days, I have visited all the major temples in the city.

What more..MSN Messenger is on-a slight activity in it brings me into complete activity.
Let's see..the wait's on...and on..

Ivey's Interview 1 done!

Wednesday: January 10, 2007: 20:03 hrs IST
The same curiosity as was while waiting for Queen's interview call was in place. Though I was not much stressed as I was before giving the Queen's Interview.
This time the call was expected on the land-line and surprisingly the cell-phone rang. (The school had asked for a land-line phone number as they had faced issues earlier.)
The interviewer was very nice to talk to and her initial part of the conversation lightened the air even more. It was just a weather talk.

The interview proceeded in a much better way than it was for Queen's. My pal, listening to the entire conversation, was instructing me to be calm.
The interview ended in a nice note. I felt much better than the last interview (of Queen's).
But my pal had something different to say. He liked the confidence in the Queen's interview more than for this..
Lets see. The second Ivey Interview is scheduled for Wednesday 24, 2007 @ 2100 hrs IST

Queen's Interview done!

Monday: January 8, 2007: 20:03 hrs IST
I was waiting desperately for my first telephonic interview. Mine and my pal's eyes were set on my cell phone asking when it will ring. Suddenly my residential land-line rang. Totally confused, I picked up and found the interviewee to be on the line. I just asked for a minute as my cell-phone's hands-free was making a mess with the land-line's receiver chord. And then it started.

The call got cut in the mid and then the interviewer called on my cell-phone. To my relief the voice was much clearer than on the land-line.
He asked me questions which took me really by surprise. I could make up something to say.
Finally when the call ended after 21-23 minutes, I took a sigh of relief.
I didn't really enjoy the interview because I couldn't answer the way I wanted to-with the best of confidence. But my buddy, who heard all the conversation from my side of the call, said it was good.
I will be getting the results in 7-10 days time frame.
Lets keep the fingers crossed and hope for the best!

More Interview Tips

Check out the B-school Admit Blog link for Interview Tips (both face2face & telephonic)

http://bschool-admit.blogspot.com/search/label/Interviews

Indians ARE good. Period

It pains us to see the utter disregard for Indian Bschool Applicants being shown by some US based admission consultants.

check out the complete article at
http://bschool-admit.blogspot.com/2006/12/indians-are-good-period.html

Telephone Interview Tips 2

The purpose of the interview is to access you on the basis of whatever impression you manage to make through a brief conversation, so make sure that you give your all to pass with flying colours to the next stage. Bear in mind the following things while you take on the telephonic interview:

• Be eloquent and expressive. Avoid long pauses. However, don't be too hasty to the point of uttering something wrong or irrelevant. Maintain your exposure and be calm.
• Sound cheerful and effervescent. Vivaciousness always casts a good impression.
• Don't let anyone else guide you while answering. This will result in confusion and you might end up stammering. Better be alone while being interviewed. Switch off the TV etc. to avoid distraction.
• Don't gab and be confined to exactly what you are asked. Don't delve too much on any topic and be succinct. This applies to all sorts of interviews.
• Don't show any scorn or contempt for the earlier or the present employer or organisation. Be very subtle while recounting the reasons for quitting the job. Or else the interviewer might infer that you can ditch his organization as well for some trifling reasons.
• Show fervent enthusiasm at the prospect of joining the organization. Inquire about your role and the nature of projects you'd be undertaking. But don't ask such questions in the coarse of the interview; save them for later when the interviewer himself would ask you for any questions or doubts towards the conclusion of the interview.
• Speak clearly, and slowly if required. Avoid using words you don't quite know how to pronounce. And never assume that simple language will mar your chances; the only thing that matters the most is what you say and how lucidly you say. However, you can use lexical language only if you are good enough to manage, otherwise better stick to simple but coherent words.
• Be assertive and confident in whatever you say. However, don't sound cocksure.
• If the interview was shorter than you had expected, don't show dismay or surprise. May be that you were simply good enough to sway the interviewer within a few minutes! Always conclude the interview with a positive note lest all your good work should be ruined. Always wind up positively with appropriate compliments.

So if you adhere to the above-prescribed gimmicks, you'll just fare well enough to end up with an invitation for a face-to-face interview. And the confidence of having cleared the first obstacle will show up there as well!

@ http://www.placementindia.com/support/tele-interview.htm

BW Interview: - INSEAD dean-elect Frank Brown:merits of 1-yr MBA

Check out this interview on Business Week Online with INSEAD dean-elect Frank Brown who talks about the merits of the one-year MBA program
http://feedroom.businessweek.com/?fr_story=ec0be0e53f0113ce062133ec7a094100ebd7a25e&rf=bm

Telephone Interview Tips

Telephone Interview Tips (from eklavya.mba.blogger)

I had googled this tips before a telephone interview of mine....The key is to stay relaxed...If you are tensed (like I was for ISB ..duh ! ),the adcom can sense it in ur voice. Remember, your nervousness will be reflected through your speech tone.One must appear confident. If you end up speaking fast...it'll be a situation like "let me get over with this".

Call up some call center folks and notice how they speak...They give pauses ....They speak slowly so that the person at the other end can assimilate what you are speaking....The best part about a telephone interview is that you can be in ur PJs and give the interview. The worst part.-You might be speaking passionately about a subject assuming that the person at the other end is following what you are saying..instead the guy is busy playing tic tac toe:)

Use a good quality phone card if you are expected to call.I would suggest calling up some Hyderabad number (even it is some lost friend !) with the same phone card that you'll be using for the interview to make sure that the quality is good. It is just an attempt to play safe.

When I had a mock interview with Bharani,he recorded the whole conversation and sent it over to me...Listenting to it gave me a feeling that I sounded stupid.
I counted the number of 'Aahs' and 'Hmms' and filler words like ' well' , 'to be honest', 'I guess' . There were many !

I have this strange behaviour that when I talk to an American I speak at a slow rate....When I talk to an Indian, the speaking rate is the normal (which is fast)..When I speak to folks from SE Asia, the rate is painfully slower.
Based on my experiences, Iam of the opinion that the speaking rate does matter.
Others can definitely add their inputs.

And DONT record your final interview with the adcom....The more you hear it, the more stupid you'll feel. :)

All the best...and just do it !

Anyway, here are the tips......

-Treat the phone interview as you would a face-to-face interview.

-Select a quiet, private room with a telephone in good working condition.

-Conduct a mock telephone interview with a friend to gain feedback on your voice quality and speech.

-Before the interview, prepare talking points for the call including value you bring to the school and questions that you will ask.

-Arrange the following items: your resume, cover letter, copy of application, highlights of school information and brief talking points.

-Breathe deeply and relax. Speak slowly, clearly and with purpose.

-Smile, it changes your speech and the person on the other end can sense it.

-Write down the full names and titles of each call participant.(if possible)

-Take notes when appropriate.

-Be courteous and try not to speak over the interviewer.

-Support your statements with detailed examples of accomplishments when possible. It is easy for someone to get distracted on a phone call, so paint a vivid picture to keep the interviewer interested.

-If required take any pauses in your speech to ponder a question or take notes.

-If you think of a question or comment while the interviewer is speaking, jot a note on your talking points list, so you remember it later.

-During the interview, if the interviewer inadvertently answers a question from your prepared list, cross it off. If you forget and ask it, it will seem as if you were not listening.

-Offer to provide additional information or answer other questions.

-Use your talking points list of specific skills and accomplishments; cross them off as you work them into the conversation. At the end, if you have some uncrossed items, you might say something like, "I thought you might be interested to know I led a major conversion project, quite similar to what you are planning. I managed a $2.5 million budget and completed it 45 days early, saving over $48,000."

-Before ending the call, be sure you know the next step in the process, and offer to provide any additional information needed.

-Do not hang up until the interviewer has hung up

Courtesy: http://eklavya-mba.blogspot.com/2005/02/telephone-interview-tips-i-had-googled.html

Interview@ Ivey: i2

Ivey January 24, 2007; 2100 hrs IST

---Mail---

From: @ivey.uwo.ca
Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 1:21 AM
To: ..
Subject: Admissions Interview

Good afternoon...:
As you may know, the admissions process at the Richard Ivey School of Business may include up to three interviews with various members of the committee. In ...'s role as a Relationship Manager and a member of the MBA Admissions Committee she would like to request a telephone interview with you. I would like to suggest a phone meeting on Wednesday January 24, 2007 at 10:30am EST.
The interview format will be a standard business interview that focuses on your background and your future aspirations within -- and beyond -- the Ivey MBA Program. The interview will take between 15 and 30 minutes.
Please email me back at .. with the phone number .. should use to reach you for your interview and confirmation that this time will work for you.
(Note: We have noted that there is a difficulty with many cell phone connections so a land line would be preferred if possible please).
I know ... is looking forward to speaking with you,
...

Reply from TOEFL about the network link blunder

From: TOEFL MAIL
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 10:51 PM
To:
Subject: November 10, 2006 TOEFL iBT exam - case # ....

Dear ..:
We have received your email regarding the iBT TOEFL exam you had taken on November 10, 2006. Please accept our apologies for the problems that you encountered during your test, and the delay in responding to your complaint.
Due to the nature of your problem, two ETS specialists carefully reveiwed your examination. The investigation concludes that you had answered all questions in all sections.

The scoring was reevaluated and the scores you received are correct.

If you have any further questions, please contact us.

TOEFL Services

TRACKING NUMBER:..

Interview@ Ivey: i1

Ivey January 10, 2007; 2000 hrs IST

---Mail--

From: @ivey.uwo.ca
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 12:37 AM
To: ....
Subject: RE: Ivey MBA Interview Request

Hello ..,

Thank you for your quick response time.
I have scheduled your telephone interview for Wednesday, January 10th at 9:30 a.m., EST.
Ms. .... is a member of the MBA Admissions Committee and will call you at the land line number you have provided below. We have noted your cell number as well, thank you.

All the best.
Sincerely,
...

---

---

From: @ivey.uwo.ca
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 10:59 PM
To: ...
Subject: Ivey MBA Interview Request
Importance: High

Hello ..,

Thank you for your application to the Ivey Business School.
The MBA Admissions Committee is requesting a telephone interview. Interviews are conducted between 9:00 a.m. our time in London, Ontario until 3:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. The interview like any business interview, will focus on your background and your future aspirations within and beyond the Ivey MBA Program. The interview will take approximately 30 - 40 minutes.
Using the time zone website below, please email me back 3 possible dates and times you would be available for a member of the Admissions Committee to telephone you. London is on the same time zone as Toronto.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
Please remember to include the telephone number you wish us to use to call you. We have noted that there is a difficulty with many cell phone connections so a land line would be preferred if possible please.
Please note that in some cases we are conducting two interviews. You may receive an email from another member of the Admissions Committee requesting an interview as well.

Thank you in advance and hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
...
MBA Admissions and Recruiting