Your Parting Shot
School’s out. Here are some of your classmates’ final reflections.
In what ways have you “fit in” or “stood out” at the GSB?
“I skipped the second grade and, as a result, was always one of the youngest kids in my class growing up. It took me most of the MBA1 year to realize, “Wait, I’m one of the old folks now” (after seven years in the military). Please consider any dance moves you may or may not have witnessed over the past two years as just my way of staying young.”
- John Deniston
“I’ve loved having blue hair at the GSB. Thank you, consulting world, for employing me in November, and for giving me license to be the me I always wanted to be.”
- Kate Kraft
I suspect I am the only person in our class who has spent the night on an air mattress in the back of their Subaru in the garage.
“There was a short-lived period in MBA2 fall quarter when I experimented with sleeping in my car on campus as a way to use my time more efficiently. I suspect I am the only person in our class who has spent the night on an air mattress in the back of their Subaru in the garage. (I don’t recommend it — things get weird there at night.) That said, the focus on efficient time management is certainly something everyone can relate to!”
- Cynthia McMurry
“I’ve fit in at the GSB by being an extrovert. I know introverts might feel differently, but I’ve been lucky. I’ve also stood out as an international and as an African student — because of my race, accent, and culture.”
- Tolu Alabi
What’s your favorite GSB ritual, and why has it been meaningful to you?
“Every run that I start at the GSB I end by taking a photo with Phil Knight’s footprints. This ritual reminds me that this amazing experience is only the beginning of a life of adventure, friendship, and fun. Taking this photo makes me grateful for my health and happiness, and makes me reflect on how lucky I am and have been to be surrounded by all my friends in Town Square for the past two years.”
- Imran Khoja
“TALK — such a heartwarming, eye-opening, and mind-boggling experience. It’s special to be able to share your childhood stories, your happiest and toughest moments, and your deepest feelings. How powerful it is that this community is to be able to create that space.”
- Eiko Nakano
“Going to pick up course readers — and discovering hardly any of my classes have one. Then, proceeding to Bass and joining the party of everyone else printing off their readings from Canvas. Sometimes it seems like the 20th century may have been more efficient than the 21st…”
- John Deniston
“The GSB Show. I LOVE the GSB Show. I wrote my essays for the GSB watching the GSB Show, and 3 years later I can say with confidence that I understand all the jokes.”
- Mélanie Merlet
“Number one: Getting free soda water from the soda machine in Arbuckle, because it means that I never have to drink boring still water and it feels like an amazing deal (though I understand that I am paying for it indirectly). Number two: Meeting up every month or two to picnic with a small group of friends to discuss socialist principles, automation/the future of work, and the practicality of living out of a van, among other things.”
- Cynthia McMurry
Do you have a favorite GSB memory involving shenanigans? (Not that that happens, of course…)
“During Engage, a classmate’s valiant but failed attempt to say, “At first I was afraid, I was petrified.” One of the faculty called him out and ripped into us :)”
- Ryan Betka
“When one of our classmates was called on, he stood up, walked over to the professor, and starting delivering a powerpoint presentation. I didn’t even realize it was a shenanigan.”
- Eiko Nakano
“One person in our class tried to string four shenanigans into one comment — it was such a train wreck that even the professor was speechless.”
- Aditya Kaddu
Time for feedback. To quote Glenn Kramon: What do you like about the GSB? What would you like?
“I’ve never been around so many smart, thoughtful people with such diverse professional backgrounds. I’ve learned a great deal from my classmates and feel so privileged to have had this experience with these people! At the same time, I wish that the GSB community had more open debate about life’s major tensions. There can be a real emphasis on ‘getting along’ with everyone that prevents us from really digging into differences in views and values, and I think that we would be a stronger community if we really engaged in these debates.”
- Cynthia McMurry
There can be a real emphasis on ‘getting along’ with everyone that prevents us from really digging into differences in views and values
“I like that the GSB emphasizes personal development, introspection, leadership development, a culture of feedback, and a strong sense of community. I would like the GSB to be more open to the world beyond Silicon Valley.”
- Mélanie Merlet
“I love the intimacy and individuality (the GSB like much less of a dominant culture with ‘in’ and ‘out’ groups than many other places). I would love to know more about the school’s vision for the future, and about how our current experience fits in.”
- John Deniston
“I love the people. I wish we stayed on campus more and enjoyed the amazing university we attend.”
- Christoph Meyer
“A haiku: just too sensitive / how i loathe thee, toilet / automatic flush.”
- Kate Kraft
