petertv

Great, I'll call them Monday and load up on the details. Thanks a lot for the info. The Taos Institute definitely seems in-line with what I'm looking for.

Hey Saphhirerodent, I sent a reply yesterday for you but then the URCH peeps haven't approved it for some reason. Thanks a lot for your reply though it was really helpful and informative. I agree that a solid math background would help me alot in designing stronger research. I'm not sure what program you're in but in your experience, what math classes do you think I should take that would give a solid foundation for phd work? Also, I have three options for classes. I could do it an an inexpensive community college, at Seattle U (alums can take any undergraduate class for only $55) or my undergraduate alma mater, University of Washington. Does it matter to adcomm where I take it? Thanks a lot for your help!

Interesting..How did you find out about this institute? Is this a reputable route? There's absolutely no information about their placements.

Thanks sapphirerodent, your reply was really informative and helpful. I agree with you about quant skills giving me better research design and I know adcomm will have a lot of questions looking at my application. I am planning on applying in two years which really only gives me one year for me to add anything to my application. (one year developing my application, one year applying and waiting) Since I do not have ANY math courses in college, what math and statistics courses levels would you recommend I take that reach that (1) allows me to design stronger researches and (2) demonstrates to adcomm a strong aptitude for quantitative reasoning ? Lastly, do you think it matters that I take those additional courses at a cheaper community college, at Seattle U (as an alum I can take any undergraduate course for only $55) or at my undergraduate alma mater, University of WA? Thanks so much! It feels so good hearing from someone who has gone through the crucible of admissions...

I completed my BA from the UW and my MA from Seattle U. My UG CGPA was 2.8; MGPA was 3.4 - When I was in undergrad I had to fight against my Asian parents' expectations and score bad grades in chem/bio classes before I could get out of pre-med/pre-nursing/pre-anything to do with health care field. GMAT I haven't taken or studied for yet. I'm slated to apply in two years. I'm interested in researching the impact of organizations in shaping identity and sense-making for individuals. This is a very important and personal issue for me that stemmed from my Asian cultural upbringing. My older brother became an anesthesiologist and I had a lot of trouble detaching myself from his accomplishments as well as my parents' expectations. This all began to shift when I went to the Marine Corp Officer Candidate School where I was first introduced to the manpower harnessed through military (transformational) leadership. The whole experience fascinated me. I left USMC OCS with a strong sense of meaning and purpose and pursued a MA in Transformational Leadership to unpack my experience and learn more about leadership theory. Working at the City of Seattle Human Services Department and helping interurban youth with education and employment, I reflecting on the problem of unemployment in the US and all around the world. How is it that we have people willing and able to work, but do not have anything for them to do? I believe one of the most underutilized resources is human capital. And I believe we can expand that potential by understanding and recreating processes that allow for sensemaking and identity-shaping early on. I think I was a bit behind in my sensemaking but I hope to give others a slightly earlier start by researching how organizations can help individuals reach higher potential when they begin to understand themselves in relation to the world around them. Sorry for the uncalled for life story. I just started writing and didn't stop because I didn't want to lose my train of thought. lol

Hi all, I wanted to get your opinions about what skills Business PhD programs are specifically looking at when admitting an OB applicant? From what I've read and researched so far, it seems like OB is probably one of the less quantitative intensive programs so what are some other "hard-skills" adcoms are looking out for? I'm asking because I'm interested in OB but I have never taken a math course in college. I have a B.A. in International Studies, and M.A. in Transformational Leadership and I've worked in the City of Seattle Human Services as a counselor and strategic advisor concerning youth employment. It seems looking at my background it would be difficult for adcomm to assess my readiness for research. Thanks for your inputs! Peter

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to say a quick hi and thank you for all the great discussion and guidance that I've gotten just by reading all your posts and experiences. Here are a couple facts about me. I'm a prospective Ph.D. applicant interested in Organizational Behavior. Received my B.A. in international Studies from the University of Washington and a M.A. in Transformational Leadership from Seattle University. Worked for 5 years in the City of Seattle Human Services Department progressively as a youth tutor, youth development counselor, program coordinator, and lastly organizational strategic advisor. I have two strong general interest areas of research (1) organizational methods for building employment capacity (2) and maximizing organizational effectiveness. Planning to take my first the GRE exam in March and apply for Fall 2015. Looking forward to talking to you all! Cheers, Peter