Midterm Break

I'm in San Francisco this week, enjoying the weather and relaxing with friends. It's around 80 degrees here and sunny. Gorgeous!

While second years get this week off, first years are busy studying for finals. But don't feel too sorry for them. Last year, we had five exams - three finals and two midterms - one right after the other for five days straight. The Class of 2008 only has three exams to take, so they're getting off quite easy. Thank the new curriculum for that.

Okay, back to "the beach" in Dolores Park to improve my tan.

Credibility Lost

Today, BusinessWeek published its biannual ranking of the top business schools in the U.S.

Chicago, the school that only a year ago was the laughingstock of the business school world for refusing to disclose its yield, is the number one school in the country.

Michigan is now better than Stanford.

Duke is better than Columbia.

This reminds me of the U.S. News & World Report ranking over a decade ago that gave "Best College" distinction to Cal Tech. Only the students at Cal Tech seemed to agree with this assessment. The following year, the magazine radically revised its methodology.

I know what BusinessWeek is trying to sell here. But is anyone buying?

What Everyone Is Talking About

This Yale senior pontificates on success in a video that he included with his application to investment banks in New York. Pathological liar? Comedian? Just plain insane? You decide.

What's New?

Well, a lot.

Second-year is just as demanding as the first. I'm taking a law class right now, for example, that requires an obscene amount of reading. One great thing about this year, though: no midterms. So while first-years are stressing over exams, I will be on a beach somewhere, soaking in the sun.

About the offer. I haven't signed the letter yet, but I am on the verge. What's stopping me? One, the idea of living in New York. Two, the fact that my offer is the same as everyone else's. (I have four-and-a-half years of experience in this profession and industry. And it doesn't seem to count for anything at this company. Grrr.) And three, the attention I've been getting from recruiters. Although I am not interested in consulting, it would appear that I am a desireable candidate. Go figure! Anyway, if I want the "sweetener," I have a few days left to accept. I'll keep you posted.

There's more, but I'll save it for another post. I'm looking forward to catching up on my blog reading. . . . Right after I finish that chapter on SOX.

Momentum

Yale SOM is on a roll. Tonight, the Dean gave faculty, staff, and students some good news as well as information about up-coming changes.

First, the good news. In the fiscal year ending June 2006, Yale SOM raised a record-setting $32.9 million, a 286% increase over the previous year’s giving. So far this year, the school has raised more than $67 million. We are a third of the way towards our fundraising goal of $300 million. This money will enable us to construct a new campus and support faculty research, among other things.

The school is receiving a lot of support from the university. SOM is one of Yale University’s top ten priorities. Alumni of the business school and college are excited about recent developments. And their giving reflects that.

Other changes include:

• Improvements to the administrative structure of student services.
• Efforts to increase minority representation. While the school has done a tremendous job of attracting women, there is concern that we are not diverse enough.
• Additional study space. The school is allowing students to use the CDO’s interview rooms and the dining hall for studying and group meetings.
• A new Director of Career Development, someone – it would appear – with strong ties to the business community in New York City. We also promoted a long-time relationship manager in the CDO to Deputy Director. When the announcement of her promotion was made tonight, students erupted in applause that lasted several minutes. She was demonstrably touched by our reaction.

The school is definitely redefining itself. It’s the Harvard-ization of Yale SOM! The Dean has done a tremendous job in just a little over a year. I can’t help but wonder: With so many changes, what could possibly be next?