MBA programs/ VEEP program in the US

[AnHai Doan <anhai@cs.washington.edu>]

This info may be useful for those who want to come to the US
to study.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: AnHai Doan <anhai@peony.cs.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: I need some help.


Hi XXX, sorry I have neglected answering your mail so far. I saved your 
mail and all US-study-related mails into a separate folder and plan to 
answer all the mails at a later time, all at once because many mails ask 
the same question. However, my schedule now starts to be a bit more 
flexible, and so I will try to go thru this mail. If there is anything left 
unanswered, pls let me know.

> I consider applying to the MBA program at the University of Washington.
> So, as a CS student of UW, you may be in a better position (I hope) to 
> give me some insight of the school. E.g. How much does a typical 
> financial aid recipients (int'l student) get on average. How many 
> percent of the first year student receive F.A. 

I'm sorry to say that in this aspect, I am as uninformed as you. I know 
no one at the Business School. I checked out its webpage, and tried to 
call someone there to see if I can get the relevant information for you,
but found no phone number. The e-mail address for writing to ask questions
ia mba@u.washington.edu . So I would suggest you write to this e-mail
address with your questions.

On the webpage, I don't see anything hinting at int' students getting aid.
And I'm not even sure that MBA programs give financial aid to int' 
students.

> BTW, do you think it's a good idea to apply via Mrs. Ladinsky's VEEP 
> program (as I once read in VNSA). 

Yes, I think it is definitely a good idea. Her program possibly knows 
such sources where several MBA scholarships are put aside every year for 
Vietnamese students (I'm not 100% sure in this, but this is my conjecture 
based on what I saw). So it is definitely worth applying to her program. 
The prerequisite is that you need a toefl score of around 600.
I have no doubt that you have no problem getting 600+ toefl. Your 
written English is excellent.

> I have some questions about VEEP : 

I will do my best. However, pls keep in mind that I am not a spokeman for 
the VEEP program. I can tell you only my best guesses based on what I 
hear or know about VEEP. The best way to find out more about the VEEP
program is to contact the program directly via
JLLADINS@FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU .

> 1. If I am already in the US, am I eligible to apply via VEEP ?

Depending on why you are here, in what program, for what purpose.
VEEP is open only for VNese with VNese passport. I think it places first 
priority on those who are in Vietnam, because their opportunities are 
more severely restricted than the opportunities of those outside Vietnam.
This question can only be answered decisively by contacting the VEEP
program.

> 2. Once the VEEP undertakes the application process for me, can I still 
> apply to other schools on my own ? How can I make sure there's no 
> overlapping ? 

As far as I know, VEEP works more or less by sending your applications to
a number of contact persons at certain universities. These persons will 
forward further your applications to those they know would be interested.

For example, in Computer Science, VEEP would probably forward all 
applications to Prof. Peter Haddawy, who is responsible for the
Computer Science part of the VEEP program. Prof. Haddawy will further 
distribute these applications among those he knows or those he thinks 
will be interested. If Prof. Haddawy knows, say, a professor at the 
university X who are at the moment looking for a student, then he can 
forward X several applications so that X can take a look.

If the same process is used for the MBA program, then it will be 
difficult to figure out which universities your application reaches.
My suggestion is that (1) you ask this directly from the VEEP program,
(2) Definitely you should apply on your own if you can afford to do that, 
and (3) As far as I know, the MBA reach of the 
VEEP program doesn't cover the entire US, so you should just apply to 
all universities you are interested in. If you are in VEEP, however, you 
probably don't want to apply to U-Wisconsin-Madison.

> 3. Is there any commitment imposed on my part once the VEEP succeeds in 
> securing, say, a TA for me ? What happens if I don't find that TA 
> attractive financially or academically ? (don't think I am demanding. 
> But if the TA covers only half the expenses, for instance, I am truly 
> not able to afford it).

No. I haven't ever heard of any requirement from the VEEP, other than the 
moral commitment of returning to Vietnam after your studies to help the 
country. 

You could simply decline accepting the TA or RA found by VEEP. We are in 
America; in general the Americans don't take such things seriously. They 
acknowledge your rights to accept or refuse.

> I heard that VEEP is
> always flooded with piles of applications.
> I'm afraid I don't have much chance at VEEP

That VEEP is flooded with applications is probably true. VEEP is a popular
and great program, and has helped many Vietnamese students. But it is also
true that an application is ultimately considered by the professors at the
involved universities, not by VEEP personnel. So what matters is not the
number of applications, but the quality of YOUR application. I know this well
because I actually helped a Chinese professor in Electrical Engineering at my
old department pick a Vietnamese student among about ten Vietnamese
applications sent to him by the VEEP program. If the MBA process works as I
said earlier, then you have nothing to fear from the vast number of
applications. 

THE BOTTOM LINE: You need to fight for yourself. No one will fight the 
battle for you. But you need to be given a chance to fight. And VEEP 
gives you that chance. Without VEEP your application may never reach the 
right professor at the right university. VEEP helps you in this aspect, 
but once your application is there at the university, then it should fight
for itself.

And you need all the opportunities you can get.

So I would recommend considering the VEEP program if you are qualified.

Cheers, Hai.

PS. I am treating this as a private e-mail between you and me. However, since
I get many similar questions, and I also want to help as many persons as
possible, I would like to edit out ALL information I think is private or
sensitive, and post ONLY the parts related to MBA and VEEP program on 
vnsa. I hope you will allow me to do this. Thanks. 

[Hai: I got the permission.]
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