UCT Modular MBA - Day zero to present

I need to start with a disclaimer. I'm not a writer - my verbal GMAT score will testify to this (so spotting spelling and grammar mistakes will not win you any points with me) - but I've found that reading the blogs of students at other business schools (mostly US) helped me a lot in making a decision to enroll for an MBA. Being accepted to University of Cape Town's (UCT) Modular MBA program was a highlight in my career and I thought to share my experiences to whoever might stumble upon my scribbling. So apologies for the long first post and feel free to post any comments…

To MBA or not to MBA

The decision to do my MBA has come along for 2 years now. When I bought my GMAT prep books in 2007 through Amazon (when they still sent stuff through SAPO!), I thought that I will enroll for the class of 2009 (i.e. 2008/09 modular class). But then South African interest rates and inflation started eating into my savings and this dream was very quickly blown out of the dream catcher as interest rates were raised 500bp from the date I bought my apartment!

In 2008 things changed for the better. As part of my company's staff retention strategy, I was lucky enough to get a bursary and thus in the middle of 2008 my preparation for the application began in earnest. My essays came along nicely and my GMAT preparation was going smoothly. I decided to attend the GMAT course that UCT offers 2 weeks before my actual GMAT exam and I feel that this was quite a good strategy in the end.

GMAT

The GMAT course was a great experience. This was where any doubt to do the MBA was erased from my mind. I was surrounded by intelligent, passionate and motivated people - people I can associate with. It was also an opportunity to benchmark myself against the other prospective students and this course proved to me that I've got the right mix of skills and experience to do this. (Footnote - check out http://www.beatthegmat.com/ - a great online resource to assist you with your GMAT strategy.)

After the GMAT and the LDT it was time to put finishing touches on my application and essays. This is where I realized that you need to use all the help you can get. Our marketing department helped me proof read my full application and for my essays I asked previous and current managers for assistance. All in all the essay writing was a great self exploration exercise and I think my completed app (with CV) was a good reflection of my abilities and my motivation to do an MBA.

Interview

Next up was the interview. To be honest, I was very exited just to get an interview. The interview was a very informal affair - nothing like a job interview. The interviewer focused a lot about how I function in a group dynamic - something that is key to successfully complete an MBA.

I'm in - now what?

Last week I received my offer letter form the School! Obviously very exited, I signed my social life away for two years and faxed it off to Admissions, paid my R5,000 deposit and the only thing now left to do is to pick up my pre-course material to see what I'm in for. Per the offer letter I will need around two weeks to work through the material, but there is no indication if this is two weeks for the Full-Time class that might be hanging around on the beach or if it is 4-5 weeks for the working class like me?

To be honest, I feel like the dog that caught the car: "I'm in - now what?". All the essay writing is done, GMAT is in the bag and the waiting game is over. Most bloggers advise that now is the time to relax - while you still can. Make sure you go to all the functions, accept all dinner and wedding invitations. One blogger even advised to have a "leaving party" - as your friends will probably not see much of you in the next two years!! I think I might just take that advice.