Malloy Hall, 203

The damp and frigid wind whipped my face as I walk up the stairs of Malloy Hall. I was almost running to reach the main entrance not because I was late for my appointment but I was trying to get inside where there is heat. It was also strangely windy on Fulton St. which made using an umbrella completely futile. It must be the wind tunnel created by the massive facade of St. Ignatius church, where its towers dominate the sky in this part of town.

USF is one of the five local schools of my choice. I had sent an RSVP to their MBA office two weeks earlier to get my name on their list for the MBA simulation class. Conversing with other attendees made my natural competitiveness come alive. Although I was kind of disappointed with myself for making jeans part of my wardrobe that morning. I learned everyone has already taken the GMAT except me.

We were grouped by four per table to mimic the 'case' style teaching employed at the university. In the next two hours, a professor eloquently shared a simple business model and the case we were supposed to brainstorm on. I could hear my thick accent whenever I ask the professor for a clarification, my uncontrolled nerves perhaps. The other group presented their case well but my group would eventually give the correct business solution for the given problem which provided me an instant high. The exercise was totally mind stimulating and gave me confidence that I can do this.

At the end of the session was the Q&A. I also learned that, even if I take my GMAT in the next weeks, I still won't be able to produce all the requirements. It would be cutting it too close since the admissions office is probably at the last round of selection. I decided not to submit my personal information. At least not yet.

I have an appointment with the San Francisco State University's equivalent program this weekend. I set in my calendar that November is my deadline.

Let's wait and see.
(The photo above is the St. Ignatius church of the University of San Francisco.)