iPhone 4G

I still remember the macworld conference when they released the first iPhone. It was on my first visit to USA. And now three years later, we have the iPhone 4G.

Despite my singing of the iPhone praises for the past few years, i haven’t yet bought one because of the 2 year contracts( though i was able to convince my friends to get one). ( I never was stationary at one country for that long). Hopefully my long wait to own an iPhone will end soon when i get a job next year. So back to the iPhone.

Definitely an evolution. With its high retina scan, the HD video recording, Led flash and Facetime. Though one might say that most of those functions are available in other smartphones. So whts the big deal? Its Apple. And it’s always been about how these features integrate with the hardware to make a great phone. Integration has been Apple’s hallmark and its true to this day. Watching a HD Video on iPhone is much better experience than any other smart phone out there. Though i hate that Facetime is now available only for iPhone to iPhone on wifi, it’s incredibly responsive ( atleast from the videos) and fun to use.

The biggest complaint is that i liked the earlier iPhone design with curved ends. Now its all angular and feels so similar to all the other HTC phones. Anyway till next year, i guess i should be happy with my Samsung E-series which is damn good.

Career Management

So wht’s the buzzword you hear when u enter Campus.

Is it classes, social events, clubs? None of them. Its Networking. The word is plugged into our minds, by Alumni, current students and the CMC( cornell career management advisors) at every opportunity. In this tough job market
( yes it is still a tough economy to find jobs), the differentiation between having a job and not having job can be gauged by your ability to network with the recruiters and alumni.

We have been having nearly 3-4 sessions /week during the past few weeks in trying to prep us up for the Fall recruiting seasons. And its going to continue all summer. We do have a lot of ground to make up, when compared to the normal 2 year MBA students, who have an headstart on the AMBA class by a full year. So the CMC is trying to help us bridge that gap. And the commitment which they have shown makes me glad that i joined Cornell.

The first of many

Having just went through the accounting class, i have to give kudos to our Accounting Professor Libby, who was able to turn a dry subject into a memorable one. Do check him out in the johnson website. He is amazing. And oh did i forget to mention, the textbook which we follow in class and written by him is one of the best books on accounting out there

It wasn’t until the second week that i really felt the pace of the AMBA program. Assignment, Mid terms and then final exam in just 3 weeks. Accelerated indeed, and i am looking forward to the rest of the summer.

The Cornell Campus

Few words can describe the expanse and beauty of Cornell. It absolutely gorgeous.

Some pics which i took a couple of days back, while i was trying to find Sage Hall.

Going to Ithaca-Cornell University

There are many ways to get to Ithaca. All of them listed here

Getting to Cornell

Let me go a little more into the details into getting by Bus to Ithaca from New york. This is the route which i took.

1. Fly into New York
2. You can take either the Campus to Campus (C2C) Bus or the Short Line Bus. If your taking the C2C managed by Cornell, go to their website Campus to Campus and book the tickets. The buses leave from the Cornell Medical center and the Cornell club in New york. I didn’t go by C2C. I took the Shortline Serivice.
3. If you are taking Short line, then as soon as you arrive in New york go to Port Authority, 42nd street-NYC,  by taking a bus from JFK terminals. There are buses every 15 mins and only for 15usd. Word of caution: Dont be distracted by strangers trying to help you and promising you to take to Port authority by taxi or car.
4. Once in Port Authority, you can buy the tickets to Ithaca on the 2nd floor and the bus normally leaves from lane 314 on the 3rd floor. For Cornell students, there are discounted tickets for 45usd. These buses leave nearly every 2-3 hrs.
5. Once in Ithaca, the bus stops at either North campus, west campus, Collegetown or at the Ithaca terminal. Contact your friend in Cornell and ask as to which stop is the nearest to your intended stay.

Well i think that covers that for now. Have to head out to orientation. Pics coming up in the next post.

Getting an USA F-1 Visa

For all international students, getting admission into a top MBA school in USA doesn’t mean that they can lay back and take a vacation.

It’s not over until the all omnipotent “USA F-1 Visa” is stamped on their passports.

The visa process in acquiring the student visa is a strenuous affair with lots of paperwork. But if adequate preparation is done, it shouldn’t be an issue. You can take a look at the following website which is quite useful.

Immihelp

Let me list down the steps one might take once he/she has decided on a USA MBA program.

1) Some schools require a Declaration of Finances Form. ( Cornell does). Complete it, with the appropriate financial statements, and send it back as soon as possible and the school will courier your I-20 back to you. Probably takes 2-3 weeks.

2) Once you get the I-20, log into the USA Embassy Non-immigrant Application system and complete your application. You can’t start this process before, since the I-20 contains your SEVIS number which is required to complete the application.

3) Book an appointment date for the Visa interview. If you find that no interview slots are available for a considerable period of time, first book an appointment for the earliest date, and then mail the USA Consulate for an “Expedited Appointment“. Do check the local USA Embassy website for details. Normally the Embassy does approve these requests immediately.

4) Pay your SEVIS fee online, and keep a copy of the SEVIS receipt.

5) For the interview the most important documents would be:

• Your DS-160 form ( or whatever it is at the moment)
• Your SEVIS fee receipt
• Your Passport
• I-20
• Photographs adhering to the Embassy photo specs.
• Financial statement, either Bank statement, Fixed deposits, Loans secured etc. ( They should be liquid assets. The Consular office would not consider any property as a liquid asset)
• Income Tax reports
• Any other documents like Parents support letter, or property deeds which can substantiate your claim that you would return back to India, would be appropriate.

Just go for the interview with a calm mind, and answer the questions with confidence. If approved, you can get your passport back with the Visa stamped within the next few days.

As for me, the interview process did go smoothly. The Consular officer was very nice, and just asked me as to why i am going, whats my plan post MBA, and how i am sponsoring my studies.  My wife who came with me for her F-2 visa also got it, without any more questions ( though we are still undecided as to whether she will join me or not, in USA for this one year). I guess a Top University name does streamline your F-1 visa approval.

Time to look for housing now.

Destination Johnson

Every year the Johnson School of Management organizes Destination Johnson. It is an event organized by the School’s admissions office and the current students, to showcase the Johnson school culture and to let their future classmates experience this over a weekend of fun activities.

Here is the link to know more:
Destination Johnson 2010

As an international student i wasn’t able to attend this event, but heard that it was a blast. But more importantly what impressed me more was that Cornell organized a Webinar Event for AMBA’s. This live webinar, which I was given access to log on, focused on this year’s AMBA curriculum schedule, the New York career trek planned during summer and feedback from current AMBA students regarding the program and the management Practicum.

Key takeaways from the Webinar:

1) Due to the state of economy, start networking even before you arrive on campus. This would give you a headstart during recruiting.

2) The Management practicum projects might not be up to your expectations, but if those projects are associated with big name MNC’s, your resume looks much more polished.

3) Take the help of the Career Service office during the Summer months. One advantage AMBA’s have is that during Summer we get to have full access to the Career Management office; Before the Fall semester when you might have around 500 students ( including the returning 2-year students and the first years on campus) weaving for the attention of the Career Service officers.

4) Another thing which was new to me was that AMBA’s might have the opportunity to do the immersion ( the semester long concentration on a particular industry group, accessible only for the 2- year MBA’s) in their final semester if the professor agrees.