A day with Vin Diesel

Have graduated from USC and today is the first Sunday since graduation. I have been lazing around and today i decided to watch movies whole day. Channel USA shows some good flicks and here i was starting my day around 10 am with first movie "Meet Joe Black" of Brad Pitt.
After which, the marathon movie race on same channel with Vin Diesel in action. Watched all these movies in a row (Pitch Black, A Man Apart, The Fast and Furious, xXx, The Pacifier)...phew long day with Vin Diesel. Action roles suit this hunk who has a deep voice and body to show. Never ever in my life i have seen so many movies in a row with the SAME ACTOR portraying in it ;)

I graduate from USC (16th May 2008)

Remember this date......16th May 2008 Spring.....am done with Graduation.....MS in Computer Science from USC (University of Southern California, Los Angeles) under my belt.....whats next.....Start working full time at Goldman Sachs in New Jersey.....MBA after 4-5 years

The GMAT Experience

Hi Everyone,
Am finally done with GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). My exam was on 15th May 2008. I know all of you are pretty interested in knowing my score. I did not do very well, just scored 600/800. My score in Maths and Verbal section were 44 and 28 respectively. Well after 4 months of on and off preparation, this is all i could achieve. I worked very hard and would say that i finished all books and softwares (Princeton, Kaplan, Manhattan etc). In my exams, i made improvement in my scores after going online on scorechase.com. My highest score before visiting this site was 580 and after 1.5 months on scorechase i was getting 650. Honestly, i have to admit that i am not very disappointed because i never scored more than 650 in practice exams. In Manhattan i scored 650, in Kaplan i scored 630, in GMAT prep i scored 620 and 560. I was confident that i would get above 600. My SC improved drastically along with DS but my CR always sucked. I just couldn't do it because i always would land up with 2 options to chose. I completed 10 pages from DS and SC, 7 pages from CR and 2 pages from PS in scorechase. I completed ALL books for maths, verbal etc. I cant answer why my score never went to 700 in practice exams, may be this was it.

Each one of us aims to get more than 700 to get into the top 10 business schools. These exams are so well made that they can actually test your "real-life" potential. I was kind of frustrated and jaded studying for GMAT after 4 months. It starts showing into you and thats when i decided to take my date on 15th, a day before my commencement at USC (University of Southern California). I just completed my masters in Computer Science. I remember Guardian told me that people can wait upto 6 months to get the score they want to achieve and the school they want to get in. GMAT will definitely give you an assessment of yourself. I used to on average spend 5-6 hrs everyday but still couldn't pass through 700. I think i was mentally prepared that i am not going to get a good one because i am among those 2% population who still thinks can make it to Stanford with 600. This is the ONLY college i want to apply and even if it takes me 10 attempts, i will continue to do so. I observed that people like L.Doit who have joined in Jan 2007 recently gave their GMAT scoring 760. People like him certainly have lot of patience, perseverance and confidence. I personally do not think that GMAT is the most significant criteria for gaining admission in top business schools. Schools like Stanford do not think so and hence even accept GRE score. I had much better score in GRE (1350/1600). I will apply with this score first.

I was expecting to score higher on the GMAT. I felt my exam was going good but there certainly are lot of factors which can or may affect your score but not drastically. I wish i could know my detailed section scores. What is important is how much you score on the "D-day". First of all, i could not sleep even for an hour the night before my exam due to anxiety and high fever. My exam was at 8 pm in Gardena, California. In India i gave my GRE in Delhi at 9 am, over here in US when the day starts an hour early it was 8. I chose this time as then you would have the whole day either to weep or enjoy. As i was a college student, i used to sleep late in the morning. A day before D day i was not in routine and in the morning it was terrible for me. Even my neck was stiff and hard when i woke up. I could not look up and down repeatedly. It was hard to concentrate looking at the screen and then writing on paper solving maths q's. I was panicking in the morning as the route we took was closed due to construction. As i never had driven a lot in US, it was very tough for me to find alternate routes and reach the centre. I somehow managed it but was nervous. At the test center, i mostly saw aged people with gloomy faces unlike youngsters. Who would want to get up at 6 in the morning, very few. The test itself soaks you for 4 hrs. I finished at 11.30 and i was DONE !!!! I was constantly praying i get a good score but i was taken aback with 600. Now whatever happened has happened and i am surely not going to repeat GMAT. Its a fun score which is low but i gave my best shot. I tried guys.

The following would be my profile:
BTech (Computer Science) in India
3 yrs IT work experience in India
MS (Computer Science) from USC, LA
Am moving to Goldman Sachs in NY , will work there for 4-5 yrs and apply till i get through.


Last but not least, i will have to thank first of all to my brother who recommended me scorechase website. He used it for his GMAT preparation. All other users of ScoreChase - Hagrid, Guardian, L.Doit, Zing, thank you so much. People whose comments i read but never interacted with them - Sneha, manish, mavericksailor, whoishemu, T-bag, ChetanChanna, NickNish, Shivaqif, Gopi, recordbreaker, Dr MBA - Thank you so much. People whose names i am forgetting even though i checked scorechase website, all those people who come in my 10 page forum list - my apologies for not remembering your names but Thank you very much.

You guys provided me lot of support, cooperation, self-confidence and motive to do better and better with immense guidance. I dedicate this to you guys, sadly even though itslow.

That was from me guys. See you all and Good luck to others giving GMAT soon. Its just a test, Fight on.....

Signing off,

Rgds,
Sidharth Kumar

Rate my Argument - 3 (out of 6)

The author concludes that the rise in the number of immigrant workers has led to a downfall in the average wage of unskilled labor. He supports his argument based on data collected over the past 5 years. However, the author uses his conclusion based on certain assumptions for which there may not be enough evidence.
Firstly, the author is correlating the number of immigrant workers coming into his community with the decline in wages. He fails to establish there could be several other reasons for this downfall. There may be other reasons for this to happen. For example, the industries in which the labors were working may have shut their businesses down or in other words, manufacturing less goods and products for the market. Hence, thereby not making enough revenue to increase the wages. The argument would be strengthened if the write used concrete examples to assert that the inflow of new workers was causing decline in wages.
Secondly, the author cites 10% decline in wages over past years. The authenticity of this source needs to be verified as he mentions the decline in the city as whole and not within the community. The statistical data pertaining to city might not be synchronous with the results in community. May be the workers are getting paid more in local communities and not cities. The argument would considerably be strengthened in view of various environmental factors such as geographical location of industries and well being of workers working there.
Finally, the author also doesnt mention the nature of job of immigrant workers. He has not categorised them as skilled or unskilled. We need to know the percentage figure inflow of workers coming into his community and their categorisation details. This is important as it may turn out that skilled labor is more adept in their work and hence making more wages in the community (assuming there is also more demand for them) than unskilled labor. Only if the author provides evidence about the demand and supply scale of the workers and corresponding wages along with factors affecting each class, will then the the evidence be strong and argument hold.

Rate my Issue - 3 (out of 6)

Companies these days seem to give lot of emphasis on the privacy of their employees. There are always certain ethical and decorum issues which need to be considered before some one interferes in other person's life. I assert that privacy is certainly an important issue while at home or office and everyone needs to respect that. The above issue is a debatable one and we also cannot overlook the other viewpoint.
While on a job, an employee is supposed to put his heart and soul trying the grow the employers company. He does that faithfully and earnestly fulfilling his duties, in return of which if he relaxes to a certain degree by engaging in a private conversation or email i feel his or her privacy needs to be respected. Employers have certainly bought the time of their employees but not their life. As an individual, it is our duty to honor the private life of a peer or colleague. Privacy should not be threatened for the purpose of extracting information of an individual's life. Some details are family or personal related being confidential in nature and not subject to disclosure. A manager spying on his team members emails by hacking into his account for personal reasons is absolutely not justified. As long as an employee sincerely commits to his work and produces result, a company or organisation should not care to invade his life. Nevertheless, it becomes necessary in certain situations where the employee is not seeming interested in his or her work and this is hampering the growth of team or the firm's.
Financial companies, for example are very particular about every detail their employees mail or speak to each other as any piece of small and confidential information leaked can cause blunder on the wall street. Hence in these situations where it a matter of company's reputation it becomes very important that emails of employees be checked or scanned throughly. Phones may be tapped to hear someone not transmitting information outside the company walls. When i was interning at Goldman Sachs, every fax i made outside the company was there a copy being sent to the inspection and monitoring team. People found guilty could be fired for not adhering to company rules, regulations and code of conduct. Nowdays, lot of young generation families have started staying themselves alone because they demand privacy as some activities can be accomplished only with one's own peace of mind and freedom.
To conclude, privacy is definetely important in one's life whether at home or office. While arguments have to be made for both sides, its clear that no one enjoys a stranger invading their personal lives as long as that person is not a threat to that stranger. Circumstances will necessitate dealing with an individual's life. Respect for ones life is a good virtue and as good citizens we must honor it.

Rate my Argument - 2 (out of 6)

The author concludes that the job of a forecaster is easy to perform. Thats because he gets to take credit in all situations whether if its a dismal future been avoided or his negativity well founded. Both ways he comes in limelight and makes his way to making us believe that his job is an easy one. However, the author concludes his base on few assumptions for which there is no evidence.

Firstly, the author needs to do more research on various occupations available around us today. This assumption that the job of a forecaster is an easy has got no evidence to claim that other jobs are not that easy as it. Lets take an example of job such as Human Resources. I feel that this job is the most easist because all one does it hiring and firing. You feel the authroity in this job as you have the power to open or clsoe the gates for any candidate or worker. If a company stumbles like in a financial market, these people are still retained and eventually look for new prospective candidates when situation stabilises. The argument would have been strengthened if the author cited comparions between several jobs available today and made the distinction clear.

Secondly, the author needs to provide more options in his argument as evidence to make us believe that one should go for this kind of job. He fails to mention the salary aspects, the growth in this industry, recognition in workplace, job opportunities in the forecasting industy. Today the world has become very competitive and everyone will pick a job not only on the basis of his or her interest but also based on above factors mentioned. If the salary is not lucrative enough, no one may want to join the forecasting industry even though it may be easy. The argument would be considerably strengthened has the author based his argument with more concrete factors and examples. Someone may not want to work in areas which are certain of tornadoes everyday.

Finally, the writer assumes that it is as easy to pick someone from a pool of candidates as the nature of job is because whatever action you take here will always route you to the way to gold. The author seems very optimistic about the nature of this job. Only if the author provides evidence such as the age limit of candidates, their qualification, location of forecasting industry etc to support his facts, will then change the perspective of readers and hold the validity of argument.

Rate my Issue - 2 (out of 6)

Issue in Attached file:

The idea behind spoiling the image of a company can be done with the help of "whistle-blowers". They are part of company responsible for their own acts and trying to tarnish the image of the firm for their own personal reasons. In my opinion, whistle-blowing seems to have a negative impact on a company's image. However, we cannot overlook other viewpoint as well.

Whistle-blowing is a tactic used by an informant who wants to expose all the ill-doing within a company in order to stop it. I see this as one's own selfish interests motivated through external factors. There is lot of competition in the market for any kind of goods or products. When "Whistle-Blowers" are bought, they try to make another competitive company at an advantageous position by undermining the position of company in which they actually serve. A company may have their own secrets and reasons for their functions and jeopardizing all this can ruin the company and its health. Workers can lose confidence in the company, lose their jobs eventually and come on roads. All happening within the company should be restricted only within the walls of that company. The company may use this as a way to be publicly famous in the market and showcast its new set of products. A cheap publicity gimmick for extra gains for a company can be a prime motive a whistle blower is used for.

While on other hand, Whistle-Blowing can reveal the bad elements of a company who may be exploiting its workers day and night for their own personal motives. Its a technique that can make the world and media aware about the wrong doings and probabably save an individual's life. If the workers union feel that adequate safety measures are not provided in the place they work, this needs to be brought top everyones attention. Be on strike or jobless than always living in the fear of death arriving any moment. It can help an individual who is afraid of coming in front exposing the wrong doings in a company. In todays ideal world, people will do anything for selfish means on a favour of few bucks which should be condemned. Hard work always pays off. Shortcuts to success can be challenged through whistle-blowing.

To conclude, i would say that we need to curb Whistle-Blowing if it is for wrong intention. Practises should be followed within limits making sure its for the betterment of the people and society in which they live. Any time whistle-blowers are around, its time we get prepared to listen to them and make prudent decisions.

Rate my Issue -1 (out of 6)

"The invention of the internet has created more problems than it has solved. Most people would have a higher quality of life had the Internet never been invented"

Today, internet had made its way through millions of houses across globe. It seems to be be now an important facet of one's life now. Users all over the world are in touch with each other through Internet and I assert with the statement that Internet has proved to be a boon for us. However, we also cannot overlook other contrasting viewpoints of Internet.
Internet when started in mid 90's was known to very few especially in developing nations. Sooner, this invention started becoming a trend as every household would like to be associated with it. Computers were bought mainly because someone could see the fancy side of internet and its numerous uses. It not only has bridged the gap on a global level but also leveraged our life tremendously. Life has been influenced as person nows goes online and fetches rich and current information from millions websites and pages. One can determine his way to his destination by surfing on Google maps which also will tell him the best shortest paths and fuel mileage. If it would take weeks for a mail to reach from India to US, now just at the click of a button email can be received instantly in any part of the world. Communication has fostered because of Internet as people chat and talk over internet protocols. Offices, Schools, Institutions, Industries all rely on high speed Internet connection for their daily work such as finding resources on the web etc from which they have benefited greatly. Real time applications would fail if there was no internet. People have become friends with distant people through messengers which in the past could only be a dream. Satellite images with the help of Internet can predict the presence of water in an area and may rescue someone's life. Applying for jobs and sending applications online has made our systems efficient and more productive as we don't have students waiting in line and no paperwork.
However, Internet has entered our life with such a force that we seem to be very dependent on it now. Our social life has been affected as we spend more time chatting than actually interacting with someone in person outside our homes. We could have devoted more time catering basic needs of house than wasting precious time on checking mails and surfing. Internet can also pose security issues. For example, someone can hack your credit card number online which you may not be aware of until you see your bank statements. Identities can be morphed by people having malicious intents destroying your life. Also, the Google earth software was not very successful as one could easily spot the prime locations of a country through satellite and be targeted by terrorists. People have started to report more health ailments such as pain in eyes, back and hands resulting from continuous work on a computer. This can make an individual stressful and more fatigue. We rely on Internet Information more than anything gained through word of mouth. children have lost interest in Physical games as these can be played online now with more fun and challenge.
To conclude, it seems life would not be feasible without Internet. Though internet has its implications, a common man's reliance on computers has and will continue to grow in future. He will always need to do better and Internet will be there to support him.

Rate my Argument - 1 (out of 6)

"Over 75% of the households in the town of Parksboro have Jacuzzi bathtubs. In addition, the average family income in parksboro is 50% higher than the national avaerage, and a local store reports record-high sales of the most costly brands of hair and body care products. With so much being spent on the personal care, parksboro will be a profitable location for a new luxe spa- a salon that offers premium services at prices that are above average."

The author concludes with the statement that opening a new luxury spa will be very profitable in Parksboro in view of the current statistics. However, he relies on certian assumptions for which there is no evidence.
Firstly, he tries to correlate the increase in the number of households having Jacuzzi bathtubs with the average income of these families. The evidence that the average family income in Parkboro is 50% higher does not necessarily imply that most of these households have bought the luxury bathtubs. Nevertheless, there also seems no evidence as to whether these households have been owned by people staying there for years or if new prople have shifted to Parksboro. The argument would be strengthened if the author had provided elements stating the fact that the families whose incomes have rised have started to buy new Jacuzzi bathtubs.
Secondly, the author mentions record high sales of the local store. There is no number mentioned to express the impact of the figure. The authenticity of the source providing this crucial information needs to be verified. Its not clear as to which class of people are buying the costly hair products. Are these products being bought by neighboring town who do not have access to any personal care store in their own vicinity? The argument would be strengthened in the light of facts that could uncover the truth
Finally, the author doesnt mention as which products and in which range are maximum sales occurring. The new luxury spa aimed at opening a new store may be targeting all items for kids which may prove a loss if most of the residents staying nearby the salon where unmarried. The argument would need to seek more information on the location aspects and class of people being targeted for its maximum sales. Only if the writer provides substantial clues to support his point that maximum sales will happen in area with household having higher income than average and that their interests matching those for costly hair products, will the argument hold.