Wharton MBA for Executives

Ok, if you’re in class 35, here’s my recommended list of stuff to buy. Most (if not all) of it is optional so make your own judgement. There’s probably no reason to buy EVERYTHING on this list so just pick and choose. I hope you like shopping…

My old friend Chairman P had his list here for class 33 and most of it is still relevant: http://execmbajourney.blogspot.com/2007/04/advice-to-class-33-stuff-to-buy.html

First, let’s start with stuff that you DON’T need to buy:

1) Laptop bag. Wharton will probably give you a bag (they gave us one) when you start the program. It’s actually a pretty nice bag with a lot of pockets and a place for your laptop. I would say that 90% of the class uses this bag so it’s good.

2) USB memory key. We got a Wharton USB memory key. It’s 2GB and it’s convenient to use whenever you want to transfer files. However, it is a bit slow so I think it’s a USB 1.1 key so it does take awhile to transfer very large files. However, for the most part in school we never have to transfer big files…usually just word / excel docs and stuff like that.

3) Wharton canvas satchel-type bag. I didn’t get one because my books are shipped to me. However, the locals did get a bag with their first set of books to carry their books home.

Now here’s the stuff to buy:

1) Laptop. Some Professors (like Smetters) don’t want you to have your laptop open during class anyway. But you will use it in other classes (like Statistics, Marketing, OPIM, etc.) and you will use it in your study rooms to view random stuff from webcafe, etc. Whatever you currently use for work will suffice but if you really want to get a small, light, laptop I would recommend the
Samsung NC10-14GW 10.2-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, 6 Cell Battery, XP Home) White. It’s a small netbook that will easily fit in any backpack or even large purse. The battery life is good and it comes in various colors like white, pink, blue, etc. We always seem to carry around a lot of books and binders so a small and light laptop is convenient. Please note that because of the small screen size, this laptop is probably best served as a second laptop rather than a primary laptop.

Personally, I use a Lenovo Thinkpad X61T. I like the tablet feature because it makes it convenient for me to write notes (draw diagrams, add more space between notes as I write them, etc.). It’s small as far as laptops go but it’s a bit more heavier and expensive than the NC10.

There are a few students who use Macs (like the Air) and larger laptops like the Lenovo X300. Those are all great machines that can be used as your primary laptop as well.

2) Voice Recorder. This isn’t really that necessary because the reality is that most students never actually go back and listen to the recorded lectures. However, if there was a particular concept that was a bit fuzzy or if you (heaven forbid) doze off a bit during class, it could be useful. My favorite voice recorder is the Olympus WS-331M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player. I like this unit because it has plenty of memory (2GB) and it can also be used as a small MP3 player. I usually listen to music while I’m on the plane and BART going to school and then use it as a voice recorder during class. It’s also very easy to transfer your voice recordings to your computer since it also functions as a USB memory card (no need for additional cables, etc.). Please note that the battery life on all of these voice recorders aren’t great so I would recommend some AAA rechargeable batteries as well. The Sanyo Eneloop is a great rechargeable battery. The link just has a bunch of difference configurations in case you want to also buy AA or C or D batteries as well as a group. But for this recorder, it only uses 1 AAA battery so you can get buy with just a pack of 2 AAA batteries and a charger (if you don’t already have a battery charger). Sanyo Eneloop is great because the batteries don’t lose as much power when not in use so you can just keep extras in your bag and use them whenever you need them (instead of constantly recharging when not in use).

3) Duffel bag. The hotel allows each student to store a bag at the hotel in their long term storage area. A small duffel bag is great for this. I generally have some workout clothes, sneakers, extra socks, toothpaste, shampoo, extra cell phone charger, etc. It’s nice not having to lug around that stuff each class session.

4) Roller bag. I would say that the majority of the class has a roller bag. I won’t recommend any specific brand or type since they are all pretty similar. I am a bit of a bag snob and I personally get really annoyed at luggage and bags that don’t perform (e.g. sticky wheels, zippers that get caught, stain resistance, looks, etc.) so I got a Tumi laptop roller bag which is great. But many others have the swiss army one from Costco, Samsonite, etc. These roller bags are annoying at airports because people constantly trip over them, etc. so please be careful and responsible with your roller bag. Pull it close to your body behind you so that others don’t trip all over you. If you travel to school by plane, I would actually NOT recommend the Tumi or most of these bags that you see because they don’t roll sideways. The middle walkway in an airplane is too narrow for these bags so you need a bag that has wheels that will roll sideways. Otherwise, you’re basically lifting and carrying your bag down the aisle (which is what I do). It’s not so much fun when it’s full of 3+ textbooks, laptop, clothes, etc.

5) Calculator. If you already have a financial calculator that can calculate PV, FV, etc. you are probably fine. If you are buying a calculator, you can get the HP 12C Platinum Financial Calculator if you are used to RPN (reverse polish notation). I love this calculator and really can’t use anything else. In fact, I like it so much that I think I’m going to buy another one just to have two around. However, if you’re not familiar with RPN and don’t want to learn, the standard HP 17BII+ Financial Calculator is also fine.

6) iPhone / Blackberry. Fridays are the worst because we’re in class all day and usually (at least for me), there is major chaos at work. As a result, I get people calling me all day long with questions and issues and major fires that I need to put out. Saturdays are nice because the office is closed so usually I don’t get bothered so much. I would not be able to survive on Friday if it were not for my Blackberry. I have instructed all of my people at work to send me SMS messages or IM if they need to reach me on Friday. I generally respond within a few minutes or so even during class. I sit in the back and quietly respond to messages as them come in. Otherwise, I would be constantly excusing myself to get on the phone and that just doesn’t work. I had an iPhone for awhile but found that the keyboard (or lack of a real keyboard) made it a pain to send email and text messages so I switched to the Blackberry Bold. I highly recommend that you be polite and be stealth or a Professor will probably get mad at you. Just pretend you’re a spy or something…

7) School supplies. Buy a few binders, mechanical pencils, erasers, notebooks, 3 hole puncher, post it tabs (to tab your textbooks), etc. I think when I went shopping for school supplies is when it really hit me that I’m back in school again. Just don’t walk in with a Trapper Keeper…

8) If you travel to school via plane, get some stuff that will help kill time while you travel. I spend about half of my trips studying since I’m usually behind in reading a case, etc. But on my flight back and the other half of my travels, I get a bit bored. An MP3 player / iPod is obviously good to kill some time. But in addition, you can get a good set of noise canceling headphones (I use Bose noise canceling headphones - It’s expensive but I think it’s worth it). If you have an iPod Video or an iPhone you can also watch videos or if you want to be really cool, use a My Vu. I don’t have one of these (haven’t been able to justify the cost) so if you do get one, let me know if it’s any good. Instead of the My Vu, I ended up getting an Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation) which has been pretty cool so far. I’ve only had it a few weeks though so time will tell if I really use it a lot.

That’s all I can think of for now. If I think of more stuff, I’ll add it to this post later.