Offers from Yale and CMU

Dec 20 is a lucky day for me, and I should remember this day, which turn on the B school switch and my new life path with new hope...

Although my target is top 5, this year the competition is so high with surged applicants at each school. I can see a flood of young applicants everywhere. As an old applicant without too much significant title, I still consider Yale and CMU's offers are good without regret. Because as I mentioned earlier, I have tried my best and I won't regret. After applying 8 schools in round 1, I am exhausted and just want to have something for Christmas. And Here they come! The week before Christmas and New Year of 2007.

CMU supposed to release the result on 22, but it is earlier this year. I was dinged by Cornell on 19th and felt so depressed. I cancel my Florida vacation for Christmas as I planed to apply more schools in second round. I thought Cornell is easier for me, but its refusal put me low. I knew it might be because I didn't show too much interest to go to the suburb of mountain. I didn't even stay longer than interview to join the school tour or any information section. That is my fault. It was afternoon 2:20pm yesterday, I checked email and saw the title of excited news from Tepper. My heart is beating. When I opened it, I saw the good news. The first thing I did was to call my husband. He deserved to be the first one to know it. Then I didn't notice there is a letter inside the link. After thrill for a while, I checked the weblink and found out that I was offered $20,000 for each year for two years scholarship. I didn't expect this compared with many young strong applicants. But they did give it to me. Maybe the presentations i sent to them last week made them change their mind. But it is a plus news! My mind is suddenly flushing. I ran to my boss, who wrote the recommendation letter for me to share the good news. I emailed a few friends who concerns for me.

When I was still excited about the CMU, my phone rang with area code of 203. Not sure..picked the phone, a familiar voice...I knew it was yale, the lady who interviewed me. She told me congratulations! I didn't response fast as I still in CMU..and then she asked:" is it a good time to call?" I guess she expected much more excitement from me. I quickly said thanks. I asked if there is some scholarship. She said no. I said it is fine...etc...but it comes so fast. I didn't adjust my feeling yet from CMU..anyway. I am in Yale too...one of 150 admits this year. I noticed that I was the first one to update at admissions411 site. But I am so happy...at that hours between 2-4pm. My dreams come to be true with so much efforts and so much struggling these years..finally come to here this point. Only friends who knows me will know how much these admissions mean to me. It changes my life back to where I was before and I found back myself and confidence, which i have been lost for many years due to an unfortunate event in 1992.

When I got home, my father and my mother welcome me with a big hug, so did my husband. Of cause, my son also hugged me but he won't understand what is Yale at his age of 2. I did send email to every friend who helped me and support me. Although I do not have to go to one of these two schools at the end if I have other better offer. At least, I have something for Christmas and for my dream. Determination works! Hard work pay off! These are all I can say!

Now I have to change my plan for second round. I consider to apply Chicago or one more. But Yale is already good for me due to its school's international reputation. Yale is highly respected in Asia. Although it is not top 10 B School, but I am happy with it. I guess between these two, I have to choose Yale over CMU. Throwing back $40,000 is a little sad...But i got what I want, a recognition and an admission.

I can have a good Christmas and New Year now...good luck to everyone who is still waiting.