A Difficult Decision Made Easy:
Why I Came to the Johnson School
by Aparna Agrawal '04
Applying to business school was a painful and stressful process. The light at the end of the tunnel was, of course, receiving an acceptance letter and if I was lucky, maybe more than one.
When I got into the Johnson School, my first-reaction was: Ivy League school, great reputation, top-10, friendly...in the middle of nowhere, cold, rural. Having lived in the city for the past eight years, I prayed that I would get into at least one more b-school so that I would have options. Well, the acceptance packet came from another school and I thought I was all set. It was from a top ten school, and in Boston, could I ask for more?
A nagging feeling told me that my decision was not yet over. While the other school may have been ranked higher and in a great city, I could not discount the Johnson School. My previous visits and research on the school revealed a culture, environment and academic program that I just could not ignore.
I kept getting phone calls from Johnson School students telling me to come to this event called DJ. It sounded like a good idea, so I went. I also went to the other school's "sell-weekend" and my difficult choice was made easy. It was a no-brainer. I am now a very proud (and slightly frozen) member of the Johnson School class of 2004.
Rather than go into a long (and boring) essay about why Johnson School, I am going to give you the top ten reasons why I know I made the right decision and why the Johnson school is hands down the best experience $100,000 in loans can buy!
10. The Immersion Program: the immersion programs are unique, semester-long courses that help train students for careers in their chosen field. For example, many second-year students claim that the Brand Immersion program set them apart from other b-school interns during their summer internships in marketing. I heard this from people who went through other immersions as well.
9. Admissions: The admissions staff at the Johnson School go to great lengths to find the right students who fit the Johnson School culture and environment. They make it a point to get to know the students and involve them in the admissions process.
8. Finding a mate: Despite being a small school, we have more than our fair share of incest here at the Johnson School. While this task is certainly easier for the girls than the guys - I can already name 10 Johnson couples off the top of my head.
7. Career Management Center: Even in a tight economy, our career office finds innovative ways to help students land jobs. Haven't heard about our latest career fair -- Just About Jobs? Pick up the Boston Globe and other major publications that gave kudos to our career office for their creativity in a tough economy.
6. DJ: where else can you be wined and dined, gamble, drink (excessively), dance, learn, and meet hundreds of diverse and interesting people all in one weekend.
5. Faculty: Besides being top in their field, our faculty actually wants to get to know the students. The Marketing Club recently held a happy hour for marketing faculty and students, where a large part of the marketing faculty attended and mingled with the students. Trust me - this does not happen at many top b-schools.
4. Second Year Students: Whether it is help with classes, interviewing, career, life in Ithaca and even dating advice...the second years go out of their way to help the first years not only survive, but excel during the first-year.
3. Supportive environment: This is truly a friendly school. Students are more inclined to help each other than compete with each other. I don't know many b-schools where students openly share notes and exam review sheets they have spent hours preparing.
2. Alumni Network: The tight community and strong school sprit make for a very solid alumni network. Johnson School graduates look out for one another.
1. Friendships: Okay, this sounds cheesy...but it is true. Our tight community builds lasting friendships that go beyond just contacts and networks.