November 18, 04 by Bharani
Some days back , Vasanth suggested this website, Domainsite, which offered free domain name registration on “.info” for a period of 1 year. I quickly grabbed a domain name for myself. www.bharani.info
Today, When I checked the same site, the free offer has been taken away. But still the price they charge is far far less…Just 0.99$/year. Anyone interested can give a try..
I have provided URL redirection instructions to redirect www.bharani.info to MBADream.
November 18, 04 by Bharani
With reference to my blog entry on Application Essays, I would also like to suggest reading the following article.
PLAGIARISM PROBLEM: ARE STUDENTS ENTIRELY TO BLAME?
“Aside from the ‘all-or-nothing cheater’, the type most likely to buy a whole paper online, Renard (1999,
p. 38) also identifies the ‘sneaky cheater’, the student who knows what plagiarism is, but works hard to
avoid detection. These students cut-and-paste from a variety of sources on the web and possibly from
other students’ papers with a view to manufacturing an answer. They might also attempt to cover their
tracks through the provision of incomplete or inaccurate bibliographic details in their list of references.
Then there is the ‘unintentional cheater’, the type who simply does not know any better. These students
typically insert slabs of unattributed text in their essays and, when challenged, claim ignorance of the
system.
What each of these three types of plagiarist has in common is a lack of empathy for the academic
enterprise. Call it ‘cyber-sloth’ (Carnie, 2001), Internet-inspired indolence, or plain, old-fashioned
laziness, if a ready-made answer to a question cannot be found online then, for some, it simply cannot be
worth having. The development of an educated opinion, a lively inquiring mind, a creative impulse –
these things are missing. As this author once read in a student’s email signature: ‘Clay’s Conclusion:
Creativity is great, but plagiarism is faster’.”
November 18, 04 by Bharani
After a long thought, I have decided to drop INSEAD from my list due to various reasons. If I change my mind, then I do have a final lifeline in the form of 3rd round.
This leaves me with two colleges to focus on, CRANFIELD & OXFORD. Essays could be resued between these two colleges. That is a good news for me. I will start off with the brainstorming of essays on Saturday. Till then, I am going to live my regular life, which I miss very much…
I would also have to find time to prepare for the ISB interview (ofcourse If I am short-listed)
November 17, 04 by Bharani
I submitted the ISB online Application moments ago. Waiting for the confirmation mail from ISB authorities about receipt of application.
November 17, 04 by Bharani
4 days back, I saw the instructions of EMBARK online application form..and it mentioned
“The ISB has several need and merit based scholarships. The scholarship decision is based on several factors of outstanding performance in academics or other fields and financial details of an applicant. Please fill in the form below and answer the essay based on which a decision will be taken by the scholarship committee.”
So, I thought I will fill up the scholarship essay and spent nearly 6-7 hours (Spent over 4 days) and came up with a really good-looking essay..
Today I was browsing through the yahoo groups and isb website and saw the post where people were discussing that the ISB scholarship is primarily need-based [The fact that the ISB tuition waiver, which is awarded to 100 students, is primarily need-based will substantiate that claim]. All other scholarships are from Anandgroup, HSBC, Citibank which will be (by all probability) applicable for finance guys or women.
Anyway, I will send the scholarship-essay knowing that it is going to collect dust 
(…Mood disappointed…
November 17, 04 by Bharani
I was pleasantly surprised to see my blog as third in the google search results. Since I started my blog only 15 days ago, I thought my chances of getting through would be tough.
Here, I am…sitting 3rd in the google’s search result, on the phrase “The Best Indian business school blog“. 8 more days to go..anything can happen!! I am not overly eager about this, but still I find this interesting.
November 17, 04 by Bharani
Sunday:
Last sunday turned out to be a sleepful day as I was bit feverish. I didn’t go to the film either…Nevertheless, I made sure that I recover on Monday…
Monday:
Sent the Transcripts, GMAT score card, Passport-size photographs, +2 marksheet through post. I opted for registration-cum-priority post to ensure absolute safety. I don’t want to be fooled at the last moment. I ended up paying 6.5 Euros. This amount felt bigger only when I compared it with the application fees of 2000 Rupees. The lady said it will take “anywhere between 4-10 days” for delivery. Eventhough I have allowance for 12 days for the nov 30 deadline, I have my fingers crossed!!
My instructions for SWIFT transfer was successfully executed. My money credited to Indian account with an exchange rate of 57.63 Rupees..When I came here in Feb 2002, the exchange rate was 40.33 Rupees..An increase of 42%!! Not bad huh!
Tuesday:
Completed the application. Finished up with Resume. Applied all the changes to the essays. Created a whole new Scholarship essay (looks good!, my essay writing talent is improving well!). My second recommender sent his evaluation form.
November 13, 04 by Bharani
After 2 hour intensive effort, I created a decent looking scholarship essay. Tomorrow, I will review the whole application and the scholarship essay for one final time. If everything goes well, I will reward myself by going for the film “The Terminal” and finish my long weekend in a good note!
November 13, 04 by Bharani
Yesterday I received the feedback from my reviewers. They really took a lot of effort in reviewing the essays for content and language. Some of his comments pointed to some obvious mistakes. Even if I had gone through the essays for 50 times, I wouldn’t have found it. I followed it up with a telephone call to him and got more inputs. Now, I am incorporating the changes to my essays. Tonight I will finalize the essays. My resume is also looking decent enough after compressing it to one-page (with a 10.5 pt Times New roman font though!)
But I am stuck with the scholarship essays. Still thinking how to proceed. Hopefully i will find a solution soon. On Monday, I will send the Transcripts and photographs through postal mail.
Hmm…finding it difficult to concentrate since there are distractions around me. Yesterday my friend bought the “Halo 2″ for his X-Box. I am not playing the game fearing that I will lose valuable time, but I am not able to control my urge…I think I will end up playing that tonight!! “Halo” is my all time best game! Amazing story, stunning graphics, physics, AI..a perfect game..I downloaded the “Halo” PC version last month…I will install it after the application process 
November 13, 04 by Bharani
Today I was watching the re-telecast of “Domino Day 2004″. In this event, they created a new world record for Domino Toppling by toppling a whopping 3.992.397 dominos!
The world record is the result of months of effort of 100’s of poeple. This event is a perfect example of team effort. One single person’s fault can easily jeopardize the entire flow. The theme for this year was “The Challenge”.
Some of the ideas were extraordinary and the implementations were spectacular to watch.
Some concepts that took centre stage in this year’s event.
