Bah! Our cycling team’s first practice run this weekend was cancelled because of the rain. It’s cool though. I’m going to schedule and host more rides throughout the next four months.
Lots of changes at work currently going on. Everyone’s getting moved around. The top dogs for whatever reason also decided to combine the two trading rooms. So over the weekend, the floor literally doubled in size. Yup, the “great wall” came down and now we are finally united. Nothing like coming in on a dreary wet Monday morning to find dust and cables still everywhere. Mmmmm, can you spell the asbestos in the air?
Sorry, had to get the post-weekend sarcastic Monday morning blues out of my system. Now back to relevant BSchool issues…
After months of browsing/stalking Columbia’s webpage almost on a daily basis, it seems as though I know the site like the back of my hand. I can confidently say I can navigate my way around with relative ease. One interesting and new initiative that caught my eye is the launch of the school’s new flexible core curriculum, which makes up 40 percent of degree requirements. The entering class of 2010 (which hopefully I will be part of) will have the privilege of being the first students to study under this revised curriculum. The “flexible” part means that first year students can choose from a list of courses to take. Here’s a table to illustrate.
I was also looking through Columbia’s Tuition/Expenses page. Here’s the breakdown. Estimated Student Budget, 2008–09 (in U.S. dollars)
Tuition (0–21 points/term) $46,476
Mandatory fees $2,237
Health services and insurance $2,306
Books and supplies $900
Room and board $19,440
Personal expenses
(clothing, travel, loan fees, etc.) $4,230
Total fall/spring first-year budget $75,589*
Total fall/spring second-year budget –
Class of 2009 $74,614!!!
It’s going to cost roughly $75K per year, for two years. That’s $150K! That’s more money than I’ve seen and also sadly don’t have. My friend who graduated last year in May says he took out every loan imaginable and is in the hole approximately $200K. I just hope there’ll be some scholarship money coming my way if I get accepted. I’m probably counting my chickens before they hatch, but I should also start cutting down on expenses and start saving more. That means less $8 mixed drinks at the bar and more 40ouncers in a paper brown bag at the park. Just kidding : )
Like most Asians, I love to gamble. Not sure if it’s a genetic thing or my own individual personality trait. Anyway, that plus my own Bloomberg and with CNBC blasting all day at work, it’s no surprise that I would have a personal brokerage account. It’s basically your standard Scott Trade account, yes $7 per trade : ). My strategy has been mostly trading on the volatility, short-term of course. This means buying stocks that have been oversold or is on a crazy up trend. I’ve been concentrating on financials and energy because they have been the most active so far. Like a famous CBS alumni once said, “Be fearful when others are greedy. And be greedy when others are fearful.” So far, I’m up about 50% life-to-date. But I think I could’ve made a lot more. It’s the same old story. You make money. Just not enough.
Read the full article: Like the back of my hand, $$$ or lack of and Gambleholic Asians