Graduating early = have fun/study for GMAT
Hi guys, I will be graduating a semester early and wanted to get your take on what I could spend my semester off doing. I already have my IB offer and want to take this opportunity to study for my GMAT, build out my extracurriculars for business school, and most importantly, have fun before I sign my life away as an analyst.
Some things that came to mind were teaching English in a foreign country, intensely picking up a new hobby (one of my friends who graduated last year took a semester off to go to culinary school, which I could definitely be interested in), volunteering in a foreign country, backpacking Europe, climbing Mt. Everest (okay, maybe not this one).
I'm just trying to get some ideas here as this will be the perfect opportunity for me to differentiate myself from the thousands of other investment bankers who inevitably will be vying for admission into the top business schools. Any suggestions or recommendations/personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Definitely study for the GMAT now and get it out of the way. It will be near impossible to study once IB starts. Id also take a long trip to Europe/ Asia/ or South America.
Im going to try and hit Europe if I can before my MBA.
Study for the GMAT. I did that my last semester of college and still had plenty of time to travel while taking classes. Honestly, studying shouldn't take you more than a few hours a day for two-three months. Study WHILE traveling for sure.
Only want to add that intensely putting some time into a new hobby sounds like a good bet, ideally one you can maintain to a degree when you start working.
Although teaching english in a foreign country etc. would be a valuable experience, i don't think it would necessarily differentiate you as much as you think if it was a one time thing, and something you stick with longer term would probably be more beneficial.
Does anyone else have experience graduating early and using the semester off to improve extracurriculars for business school? I've already decided that I will be utilizing the semester to study for my GMAT, but I will also have time for other endeavors.
You don't need more than 2 months to study for the GMAT if you're not studying or working (and you'll still have time for other stuff), and then you still have a couple months left to go y/devote moare time to a hobby. As poster above said, get the GMAT out of the way.
it's more fun when you're good enough to earn vacations / breaks to full-time MBA for cheap.
Graduating early and want something to do? (Originally Posted: 11/22/2009)
I'm graduating in December (signed BB IBD analyst) and want to spend a couple months in the Caribbean surfing, hiking and generally bumming around the islands. Since I know a few of you with FT offers are also faced with the same situation, I thought it'd be cool if a couple of us wanting a similar experience got together and rented a house somewhere on the beach or traveled in a group. I figured it would be more fun, cheaper and good networking before FT starts in July.
PM if interested or if you have a group thinking about something. I have a good friend that has legit hookups in the region so we can get ideas quickly.
What BB did you sign with?
Top 3 US BB.
Graduated early...now what? (Originally Posted: 01/20/2010)
I thought I couldn't graduate early but am now able to. I have a FT offer starting in July. Should I inform my bank?
I kinda want to do something with this time. I was thinking of going back to school for a month or so, spending some more time at home, throw in some travel to Europe for as long as I can afford it.
Two questions, the first, should I inform my bank that I have graduated early? Can they push my start date up a few months to say, May?
Second, any volunteer programs or such where I could subsidize some of the cost of traveling? I imagine it's too late to apply for most...
Think about what you really enjoy and things you'd like to do but wont have time to once you start working. Basically, do something meaningful because you won't have this kind of time off again until you retire.
Now you're screwed.
I highly doubt they would move up your start date at this point. It would be much easier for them to just start you with the new analyst class.
For volunteer, I would be extremely surprised if you can find anything on short notice like this, especially if you want to go to Europe. Maybe you could find some program to support you in Haiti though if you were interested in helping out down there?
All in all though, I wouldn't worry a ton about travel costs. Stay in hostels, scour Kayak for cheap airfare, and just don't be a fool with your money. The signing bonus will come soon enough and I expect the couple thousand dollars you spend seeing the world will be well worth it when you are stuck at a cubicle 90 hours a week. Furthermore, look for an introductory 0% APR credit card if you don't have the funds now.
If you want to start early then inform your bank. If you got an offer from a BB then most BBs do offer an early Feb start date, ask HR if you can start next month. But don't push too hard for it. Otherwise, I would really just relax for the next five months or so and do some traveling. Or if you want think about getting your GMAT out of the way or getting the CFA level I. Use the time wisely, because once you start, you won't have much free time at all.
Start early? Your nuts, take a break and do something fun. You will be chained to your desk soon enough. Enjoy yourself and rest your eyes before the strain of looking at excel all day begins.
Don't start early.
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