I was at the gym Saturday morning trying to pump some iron. There was this guy there that had a blue Columbia Business School softball t-shirt on. Of course I asked him if he is an alumni. Turns out, he is class of ‘06. So in between our work-out sets, we struck up a conversation. For anonymity purposes, I’ll refer to him as G. G is originally from Argentina and now works for Citigroup as a strategist. Given the current situation with Citi, obviously he has his work cut out for him, not to mention the long hours. I think he said he was going back to work after his work-out – on a Saturday! I like the fact that given his job, G still maintains contact with his classmates. His advice for me was to apply early (Check!) and get additional recommendations from alumni on top of the two required ones. He even offered to write me one! Now that is a class A guy considering we just met. He says he writes recommendations often and even knows “Linda” as in Linda Meehan, the director of admissions, pretty well. I think I might just have to take him up on that offer : ). He also says he’s at the gym most Saturday mornings, so that is just another incentive for me to go work out. I could also use that opportunity to pick his brain about his experience at Columbia.
A friend came to visit me this weekend. She had heard about my bschool aspirations and so picked up this little charm for me when she was in Japan.
This little item is called a goukaku mamori or “pass protector.” The simplest description would be an academic talisman blessed by monks in a Japanese Shinto shrine. It is a “passing” good luck charm that helps students pass exams or get into school. In my case, it is specifically enspelled to help me get into Columbia.
The front with the three triangles reads “goukaku mamori” or pass protector. The backside is the name of the shrine it was blessed at. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find out the name of the exact place. By nature, I am not a religious or superstitious person. But how many other MBA aspirants can say they have their own custom shrine/monk-blessed good luck charm? I’m willing to bet not many : ). Plus, it was the thought that counts. Theoretically, I’m supposed to keep it in my wallet. But I’m just going to hang it in my room. We’ll see if it works come October.
Read the full article: Columbia alum, Goukaku mamori – the "pass protector