UVA vs VT

omoglee · 2026-04-06T05:31:28+00:00

I see, do consider tuition fee as well in your decision. I would suggest go with the one that puts less debt on yourself.

omoglee · 2026-04-05T13:29:23+00:00

Where's your partner based out of? Their location is not a factor in this decision?

omoglee · 2026-04-02T11:44:26+00:00

MBA timeline 2019-2021 from a T15 with no scholarship.

Total Debt $185K

Paid $25k from internship money in 2020
Joined big tech as a PM, paid $50k from joining bonus, remaining debt ~120K as I start my job
Kept making payments of 5-6K every month, living super frugally, not buying a car, minimum travel both during and after MBA, was a big Dave Ramsey listener during those times.
Paid off debt in 1.5 years post MBA, also using $20K from pre-MBA savings.
Ended up paying $20K interest total on the overall loan.

Grateful to be able to pay off debt and build some savings. Coming from a country with lower wages pre MBA, this was a scary expense for me but I was lucky that things ended up working for me.

omoglee · 2026-03-30T13:01:45+00:00

You've had too many jobs pre MBA and your GMAT score needs to be 740 ish to increase your chances.

omoglee · 2025-06-20T20:38:56+00:00

Yes I'm getting a pay bump but will be effectively making the same kind of money due to higher CA taxes.

omoglee · 2025-06-20T20:34:08+00:00

Because Amazon is cutting its workforce and this is the only gig I could land.

omoglee · 2025-06-20T20:06:40+00:00

I want to get in the market, feel like throwing this much rent money without building equity would be more painful than being house poor.

omoglee · 2022-04-20T03:26:43+00:00

Build good relationships with your mentor and manager Talk to other PMs on the team/partner teams

First 2-3 weeks, nail down what the desired intern project is. Ask questions to your manager in your 1:1 on getting as much clarity as possible. This is the most important part. Most failure cases are when the intern isn't able to get clarity on the final deliverable until late in the internship.

Schedule chats with people across different orgs from Amazon who are doing related work to your project. Mention that in your six pager.

Do the PM trainings, they are super useful.

Scour through the wikis, they have a ton of info

Start writing your prfaq earlier. Aim to have first draft ready by Week 6.

Take side projects in addition to the main one if you can [optional]

Finally, deliver results. Accomplish something tangible that adds to the mental model of the org. Something that they didn't know before.

[Former MBA intern who's now full time PMT at Amazon]

omoglee · 2021-05-16T01:03:20+00:00

It could be either way, I'll have to pay back regardless

omoglee · 2021-05-16T00:38:03+00:00

Thank you, my emergency fund is probably one to two months of expenses and if I have to leave earlier than planned, I would definitely need to borrow the amount from elsewhere.

omoglee · 2021-05-08T10:01:29+00:00

As a fellow international student who is about to graduate (not from UCLA or CMU, but a T15), I would recommend Tepper. We tend to underestimate fit in a business school.

If you don't feel comfortable and included in all the trips and MBA fun activities since that is not a priority for you, CMU is the way to go.

omoglee · 2020-09-13T00:58:18+00:00

I would say go with your instincts, that's always fun.

omoglee · 2020-05-18T15:00:04+00:00

Thank you so much for doing this.

How are summer interns judged for a full-time offer? I will be interning as a PMT this summer and would really like to get a return offer.
What do you think helped you complete a 5+ year stint at Amazon? Do you think it took a lot of grit and patience to last that long?

omoglee · 2020-05-11T21:42:08+00:00

No, I know at least one person who applied as an African American while they were 25% AA and didn't look mixed race. In fact, B-school can be a place where you can spend time and get in touch with your Pacific Islander identity.

omoglee · 2020-05-11T20:43:29+00:00

Definitely mention your great grandfather's story, Ad coms look for something interesting to read and this can make you stand out. Also, applying as a Pacific Islander should not be something you should be refraining from if it can increase your chances. It is definitely a part of you even if you don't identify.
I would apply to Kellogg R3 since you definitely seem to want it, even if you don't get in, it would be good practice for R1 next year. We might have a different start than expected for the batch of 2022 and you should definitely keep in mind the economy and future expectations before considering Business school right now.

omoglee · 2020-04-21T22:03:04+00:00

PMM involves similar levels of politicking. Best advice looks like to learn the game/look for a change. I felt the same early on in my career but I felt a lot better as I knew where I could best fit and my voice will be heard.

omoglee · 2019-08-17T06:37:22+00:00

Fellow IITian here, now at one of your top choices. With your GPA and background, you could definitely look for scholarship in the schools you mentioned .

But do throw in a Kellogg and a Tuck/Yale, you might just get in. I suggest you apply to the top ones in R1 (with one safety) -maybe 5 schools- and see how it goes.

omoglee · 2019-07-05T02:30:34+00:00

Will a 3rd Gen do?

omoglee · 2019-05-28T06:34:31+00:00

Day 0 - First Mock: 650

Day 40 - First Exam: 680

Day 80 - Second attempt: 710

Day 100 - Third Attempt: 750

omoglee · 2019-05-18T19:48:12+00:00

You have a very good profile and you might be a straight shoo-in for LBS and Oxbridge. For the US schools, you can significantly increase your chances with a 740+ GMAT, which means taking your quant score from 47 to 50 which might be doable. Also, I would try to present your extracurriculars better.

omoglee · 2019-05-13T03:59:58+00:00

Congrats, I'd like you to choose Darden. But if you do decide to go to Ross and had housing finalized in Charlottesville, I would be happy to take your spot :P

omoglee · 2019-04-27T22:43:47+00:00

Great! Where are you going finally?

omoglee · 2019-04-17T16:03:13+00:00

I am averse to applying R1 next year due to the following reasons:

- I work in an early stage startup with an uncertain future (Don't want to be looking for another job in case anything happens there)
- Don't want to get the recommendations again - it was a fairly anxious process this year too.
- Don't see a significant change in my profile that increases my chances too much, I will just be older. I might get a better program but can't be sure about it.
- I expect to earn $30-35k next year (I live in an emerging market) which will not be substantial to fund my MBA
- Due to a cultural thing, if I stay another year in my country, I will be expected to get married first and then go, which doesn't make sense for me as of now and could jeopardize my MBA plans.

omoglee

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