So the all-too-short term break came to an end and my Mumbai trip seemed to be a distant dream as the grind began, this time under the new avatar of Term 2!! The Term 1 results too were released last week. It seems I did just about OK - neither too bad nor too well - Above average in most cases. Most of the class was just waiting to exhale, and when the results came out, it's as if the campus heaved a collective sigh of relief that they had made it to term 2.
Prima facie, term 2 seems to be much more interesting than term 1. With Marketing and Competitive strategy, it now feels like a B-school !! However, underneath the veneer, it's a non-stop roller-coaster of assignments, homeworks and presentations. So thrilled was I to read that there would be only two mid terms, only to discover that the MarkStrat decisions require much more work :(
Speaking of MarkStrat, it's one of the more interesting ways to teach a management student. By giving you almost complete control of a firm, it provides a very realistic simulation of a typical business environment and allows you the chance to apply all the concepts taught in the classroom. In many ways, it's similar to the Management Game that's taught at various US B-schools. How did we do ? Just one decision into the game, we are already facing a price war. How we respond will determine our survival.
Overall, the focus this term seems to be on the practical side of things. Even though Optimization seems a little theoretical, its application certainly is not. Combined with the MarkStrat simulation, the Competitive strategy cases and Macroeconomics, this term will be critical in shaping our understanding of the world of business.
On the co-curricular side, now that the GSB core is in place, things are beginning to get a little more traction. If I can only manufacture time, I'm sure this avenue will be equally critical in building up a perspective of the real world.
On another note, the admissions for Class of 2011 have begun. I met some prospective students on campus and I could sense their trepidation. Deja Vu !! When I get some time, I'll put up a comment on the essays this year.
Until then, be good !!
