A World of Smarts

My boyfriend has gotten into several prestigious Business School programs recently, therefore, in the past few weeks I have enjoyed little “partner” perks at his Admitted Students Welcome Weekends! Free food, free pens, free drinks, free VIP treatment (it’s pricey in this city, at least) and most of all, free networking!

We were surrounded by very smart people who are possibly the next Steve Jobs or Howard Schultz in the coming years. They are the 712 GMAT average bunch, the unassuming and “cool” Valedictorians, and those that have been shaped and enriched by International experience. They are great writers, great thinkers, great believers. They are the future movers and shakers of this world. I was very enthused and inspired.

I chugged on my bottle of Guinness while every person in the event boasted unabashedly about the list of Ivies they’ve gotten into… the several job options they could opt to choose… their future career plans… etc. Name brands in the likes of Harvard Business School (HBS), Yale SOM, Columbia Business School, NYU Stern, MIT, Stanford, Cornell… they all come flying up in the air! Some of the most common phrases you hear at B-school Welcome Weekends are:

1. Asked of you a million times: “So, are you decided on (insert B-school)?”
2. When talking to a fellow admitted student, and feeling curious and competitive: “So what other B-schools are you choosing from?” (and when HBS pops up, you quietly sneer… just kidding!)
3. A devious follow-up question: “What will make you choose between (insert B-school) and (insert another B-school)?”
4. When talking to the Dean or a Professor: “Why should I choose (insert B-school) over (insert equally-good B-school option)?”
5. Asked a million plus one times, therefore, you have to have an answer that would either shut them up or keep the conversation going (my dad's favorite conversation piece): “What are your long-term career goals?”
6. When all the boasting and pretense are diluted (my favorite conversation piece): “How’s the food?” or "May I have more wine?" And then it gets casual and more enjoyable. And the alcohol is a-flowing. Yipee.

It’s one of those days, perhaps, but I do like having stirring and intellectual talks with people, while injecting some dry wit and humor somewhere in between.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not sarcastic. I enjoyed a lot. No, actually, I more than enjoyed. I didn’t think these people were boastful at all. They deserve to declare their triumph, because their getting into these reputable schools entailed hard work, dedication and preparation. Seeing them take pleasure in these moments brings a smile to my face. It was one of the uncommon situations when conceit is justified.

My prejudices at business-schooling were wiped out after the event. I was totally moved and inspired by these people every minute. It felt like, at one point, the planet is overflowing with intelligence and perfect wisdom that it would create a perfect world. But that, unfortunately, is not the case (that’s why the world is still hungry, corrupted, and still carries a chock-full of AIDS).

I didn’t realize that business school is not just about books and study groups and nerdy stuff. One thing I learned the past weeks is that there’s more alcohol involved here than anywhere else! Yes indeed!

They poured me a double when I asked for a single. And added two cherries, even. Yup, as I like it. A toast to business school.