Wayne State University
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I just finished filling out the online application for the Wayne State University MBA program which I plan on starting in January. Going back almost a year I decided that I wanted to get an MBA and since I was working up in Troy I decided to go to Oakland University. I visited the school and found out that I would have to take Calculus to get in which really sucked. Seeing that I was nowhere near ready to take Calc I took College Algebra as a pre req which I passed and then Trig for additional help. Since my original plan I had switched jobs and also relocated downtown for work and going to Oakland University didn't make much sense anymore. Right now I am working 4 blocks from WSU and it seems stupid not to take advantage of this. Besides the close proximity there is also the added bonus that Calc isn't needed so no more Trig and additional math. I plan on spending the next couple months studying for the GMAT and taking a class each half semester starting in January. I have 5 fundamental classes that are 8 weeks long that I need before starting the core classes and electives. As for the electives I plan on breaking them up between Management of Information Systems and International Business. All this can always change but as of now that is my plan.
Posted by mardenhill 11/11/2008 09:16:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Grad School
Finally Over
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Well I just finished my final in my College Algebra class tonight. It really sucked and although I didn't do as bad as others I am not patting myself on the back either. I have a set number of points that I need to get a 'C' in the class and if I reach that I am happy. I was not asking for a lot, just a simple 'C' and the knowledge to pass Calc. I have a feeling that a number of people were going to fail this class and I have to blame the prof for that one. He was a nice guy and quite funny but when it came to teaching he was awful and we had to learn on our own.
This past semester has been a bear for me, I haven't been in school since '97 and the last math class I took was in '95. I had to relearn a number of things all over again and just hope I retain enough of it to get thru my next two semesters. I have to take Trig next semester and Calc in the Winter as pre-reqs for my MBA program. I only need Calc but I am nowhere near ready to take that class so I opted for the Algebra and Trig to get me up to speed.
I can finally complete the square on equations, all semester I was lost on the concept and just the other day it dawned on me. My downfall this semester were logs, natural logs, parabolas and hyperbolas and matrices. I can do the matrices on my calculator but if asked to do them long hand no way. Story problems are also a thorn in my side but I am getting better. Well its off to grab a glass of wine, after the day I had I deserve it.
Posted by mardenhill 8/14/2008 09:59:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Grad School
Update: Busy Week
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sorry for the lack of posts this week, I spent 3 4hr nites at school and went out of town for the weekend. I decided to switch my College Algebra class from the accelerated 7 week class 2x a week to the 15 week 1x a week due to the overwhelming brain explosion I was on track for. I have been out of school for 12 years and it has almost 15 years since my last math class, jumping right in probably wasn't the best idea. This puts off the MBA for a semester but at least I will be able to get thru the pre reqs and Calc in one piece. This weekend we went to an Amish quilt auction and flea market, I will post a photo and a bit more later tonight. Its off to Costco and a BBQ now.
Update: Well here is a photo of the Amish quilt auction up in Claire, MI. Besides the auction there was a flea market full of dollar store merchandise and other misc junk. Erika and her mom spent most of the day bidding on quilts and I witnessed about an hour and a half of it. At the end, I was finally able to understand the auctioneer and how the bidding worked. I do feel sorry for the ladies that made the quilts since the price of them were very low this year. In previous years they would go for $300 to $1500 and this year you could pick one up for about $100. I saw a few Amish men walking around with cell phones and eating hot dogs, not what I was expecting to see at all.
Posted by mardenhill 5/18/2008 01:25:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Grad School, Misc
School
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Monday I went back to school for the first time in 11 years and let me tell ya, it was quite a shock. Besides all the kids with their cell phones texting away, they were all dressed in shorts and looked like highschoolers. I know I'm old, but it was an interesting experience compared to the last time I took classes. Since I head straight to class from work, it was me one other guy and the prof in dress clothes. Besides that, the class is College Algebra and is 4 hrs long, two days a week. Nothing like diving in head first into a shallow pool full of rocks. We briefly covered the basics of algebra and it was off to complex this and linear that. The last time I had a math class was back in '95 and if it were not for GMAT study guides, I would be lost. I am still feeling a bit overwhelmed but I think I can pull it off. This class is 8 weeks long and the next semester is Trig followed by Calculus in the fall. Well if I survive.....
Posted by mardenhill 5/07/2008 08:32:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Grad School
College In 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Before I am able to start my MBA program I need to take Calculus and decided to save some money and go to the local community college. Now its been 11 years since I have scheduled a class and was blown away at how things have changed. The trusty ole phone method is still available where you sit down with sheets of paper all around you with your schedule, your alternate and the alternate to that if the classes you want are not available. You then sit thru the painstaking automated voice that repeats everything back to you in snail speed. After it's all over you have your classes but if you need to make a change, its off to the office of registrar or back to the phone for another round. This was considered an advancement throughout the early to mid 90s and the method I had to rely on.
Well in 2008, it's quite different and forgive me if I am telling you what you already know but I am still smiling at how easy it has become. I logged onto the school's website, entered my username/password and did a search for the class I wanted. I found it clicked OK and the class was in my shopping cart, just like an Amazon purchase. I added another class for the 2nd half of the semester and in the end paid my tuition bill with my credit card. At that point I decided to google the professors to see if I could find anything on them and discovered the ratemyprofessors.com website. I was able to see reviews from students going back 3-4 years. Just like any open comments site, there were a bunch of idiots but I was able to get an idea of what I was getting myself into. I decided that the prof for the 2nd semester was a dud and searched for an alternate class. Found one at another campus and scheduled away. The school even has a link to the online bookstore where you can purchase what you need. Besides that, grades as well as your class schedule are posted online. I am really enjoying the modern world of college and can't wait to get started.
Btw, I need to take a semester of college algebra and trig before I can get into calc. At that point, I should be ready to start my MBA in January.
Posted by mardenhill 4/15/2008 07:09:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Grad School
GMAT Exam
Sunday, February 10, 2008
I have decided to go back to school for an MBA this fall and in the process must take the GMAT exam. I started to study for it about a week ago and spent most of this weekend with my nose in the book. The math section was kicking my ass big time, I had forgot most of the basics and blew it on the geometry. After some practice, I was able to refresh myself with most of the math. I am still strugling with the geometry, I am drawing a blank on most of it.
The english/vocabulary portion was much better, the sentence structure, grammer correction and reading comprehension was straight forward. I know I don't always write in proper grammer on my blog but its just hard to think everything thru all the time and reading other writings is much easier to critique. Going forward I will try to improve my writing online but I have a feeling that after the exam, all conscious thoughts of this will be tossed out the window.
As of now, I plan on attending Oakland University for my MBA. They have a great program with a concentration in Management of Information Systems. Out of 6 pre reqs I have 2 to take. I will take the 1st one Calculus this spring and in in the fall start the program with my 2nd class which is Accounting.
Posted by mardenhill 2/10/2008 09:22:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Grad School
