Welcome Class-33. Few tips for you

Dear Class-33,

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS! on getting admitted to the best Exec program on the planet. Good news is that you have proved that you are capable of getting Wharton MBA, bad news is that you have to earn this prestigious degree.

Many of you have been asking questions on term-1 and some words of wisdom. Rather than answering separate emails, I am writing this blog to touch on various subjects:

General tips:
• WEMBA is a life style change. It does require good 20 hrs to 35hrs commitment. This number depends on what you want to get out of the program and what your capabilities are. You need to alter your life style to fit WEMBA in your life. Reality is that life does not stop for WEMBA, you just need to learn how to juggle studies, work and life. So start working on your individual plan to fit this time commitment.
• Don’t get behind. One key for me is to stay in the game. If you fall behind, cut your losses and move on.
• Don’t look at WEBMA as burden, look at positive side. WEBMA is painful but you can find enough things in program to make it fun experience (your classmates, San Francisco city life, restaurants and many bars around school and hotel)
• Don’t get scared by looking at your books. These books are there as study aid, you don’t have to read everything.
• Math classes in morning are recommended for people who are not inclined towards math/numbers. I did not attend as I did the Math CD.
• For people who have no accounting background, I strongly suggest to go through the accounting binder (small) before the first class.
• Spend more time to know your classmates. You will discover huge talent pool right next to you. I wish I can do more of this.
• Start building your network. I use linkedIn and you can reach me at nikul(dot)patel(at)intel(dot)com

Parking/Travel:
• Hotel parking is $25 a night. But for two days weekend, you can pay 25$ total. For three days weekend, you can get away with $50.
• Open parking near school is $14 (weekday) and $5 for weekend.
• Many people use BART to get to school. Embarcardero station is closest to school. It is just 5-10 min walk from there.
• Taxi fare (typically $6-$7) to and from hotel is reimbursed by Wharton. • For people who commute via plane, you should be able to use Oakland airport or SFO airport. From there it’s a cab ride.

Micro Econ. class:
• This is a very good class. Great concepts which will help you through out the program.
• Kent Smetters is a great professor. He is very funny. I am sure you will enjoy his class.
• Best way to prepare for this class is to spend 15-20 mins before lectures to go over his notes. This will help you with what he is talking in class. No need to read the book. His notes are sufficient. He will give out problem sets after every lecture. You should do them to stay ahead on your studies. His exams are quantitative in nature.

Accounting:
• Rick Lambert is also a very good professor. His notes, Bulk Pack, slides, eRoom and previous exams are very organized.
• Book is very good too. I had to read first 4-5 chapters as I had no background in accounting. After that I was able to follow his notes in the bulk pack.
• Before you are comfortable with Wharton, you will have a first mid-term. This will get you in the groove.
• There are two mid terms and one final.
• This is a good class which will make you comfortable with financial statements and footnotes in the reports.
• I would pay close attention to Cash Flow topics. This is slightly confusing area and will be needed in future as well.

Management of people at work:
• Good class – For many engineers with hard core technical skills, this will be too soft. Welcome to the world of management. Very qualitative class. Cases are good, insight is good. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the case character and you will appreciate problem and challenges even more.
• You will have a new professor so your experience may vary.
• Field Application Project (FAP) is a time sink. So plan for it ahead.• This class will test out inter workings of your study group.

And few words about Chairman P: He is not a self proclaimed chairman. Our study team did role playing for one of the management class. We simulated a board meeting and Ron took role of Chairman Park. We started calling him chairman P and guess what, it jives very well with his personality too:)

I hope this blog helps you. Good luck and welcome to the Wharton family.