Acceptance Paperwork

Upon my acceptance, I was sent a link from the Admissions Department at Tech providing me information on the steps to accepting the offer. It was all around pretty easy. There was a survey for what they called their most “exceptional applicants”, and a follow up link for submitting the $500 fee for orientation and the one time lifetime membership fee to GEMS (Graduate Evening Management Students).

I received the Health Packet as part of the link with the required immunizations (more on that later) and a time line through the start of class.

I also called and asked how I would get a Ga Tech MBA t-shirt to wear around. They told me they would mail me one, but they only have XL and no L. They let me come pick it up instead. Now I have a very large MBA shirt to wear around.

I know the days are getting closer, and with each one that passes, I am more excited about starting this step in my life.

Quick and Dirty Version of How I Met LM

My Version:

I decided to work out in the morning in the Fall of 2008 because I wanted to spend as much time with my puppy, Murphree, as possible (but ultimately more on him later).

I don’t think anyone is at his or her best during a morning workout. But while working out for a week and a half or so, one lady in the gym always caught my eye. She was in there about as much as I was, which at the time was six or seven days a week. One day while she was on the leg press machine we made eye contact and a smile (and my infatuation was born).

I always have a hard time asking someone out, it is uncomfortable, no easy way to finish the conversation or walk away when the convo is over. Anyway, I just walked up to her while she was on the elliptical and introduced myself to her. Another week of “good mornings” passed and I mustered the courage to ask her out. We went to Two Urban Licks (more on that later) and had the best first date I have ever been on. Ever since that date I have wanted to be around her as much as she could stand being around me.

You know you are with the right person when they support and surprise you all the time. So, the reason for the quick introduction is… When I called her and told her I got into Tech she was more thrilled for me that I was for myself. She sneaked out of work and bought me my first piece of Georgia Tech garb, a t-shirt. My favorite new shirt!

If only I would have known on that first date that that this is the woman of my dreams, I would have popped some champagne when I got home.

Letter of Regret to GSU

Thank you for offering me admission to your prestigious program. As you know this has been a very trying time weighing the options for my Masters. After careful consideration, much thought, and consulting with my family and loved ones, I have concluded that Georgia Tech’s Evening MBA program is a better fit, at this point in my professional development, for my educational needs

It was a very difficult decision for me as Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business is a magnificent and highly ranked school. The internal debate between Georgia States PMBA specifically and any other program was difficult as I am sure it is for many applicants. I am confident with my decision and look forward to the upcoming challenges.

Again, thank you for your offer of admissions, I am regretful that I will be unable to learn and contribute to the PMBA cohort at the Peachtree-Dunwoody Campus.

Best,

@onetallean

Thank you for the Interview Georgia State University

It was a pleasure to speak with you today about the PMBA program. The curriculum and environment seem to be an excellent match for my skills and interests. The structured evening approach to the MBA offered by Georgia State University we discussed only confirmed my desire to be a contributing addition to the program.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the program strong work experience, assertiveness, and the ability to encourage others while participating in peer groups and course discussions.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am extremely interested in contributing to this stellar program and look forward to hearing from you regarding the decision.

Sincerely,

@onetallsean

Thank You for the Interview Georgia Tech

It was a pleasure to speak with you yesterday about the Evening MBA program. The curriculum and educational environment seem to be an excellent match for my skills and interests. The flexible evening approach to the MBA offered by Georgia Technical Institute we discussed only confirmed my desire to be a contributing addition to the program. I am confident combining my detail oriented task management style and the flexible Evening MBA will result in a perfect match.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the program strong work experience, assertiveness, and the ability to encourage others while participating in peer groups and course discussions.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am extremely interested in contributing to this stellar program and look forward to hearing from you regarding the decision.

Sincerely,

@onetallsean

Affordability

Affordability

The idea of the MBA is the anticipation that completion of the program will result in a pay increase likely justifying the education over the five years post graduation. Though it is hard to look over the short term financial set back.

Tuition
The cost of attending a graduate program is important in the decision. Both school options are State Schools which is a real cost benefit. I have been living in Atlanta for 18 months currently and when school starts it will be 21 months. I have broken down the cost of tuition for each school.

Georgia Tech:
Tuition: $727 per semester hour Fees: $718 per semester Georgia Tech's program is 54 credit hours (Tution expense = $39,258) and nine semesters as discussed in this post on Curriculum. That brings the total for Fee's across all nine semesters ($6,462) and tuition to a total of $45,720. If you add the costs of books, notes, and additional materials estimated at a cost of about $250 per class (18); additional costs would be about $4,500. My total cost of education at Georgia Tech would be roughly: $50,220.

Georgia State University
Tuition: $40,000 total all inclusive cost Georgia State's cost of tuition is $6667.00 per semester for six semesters. The cost of books and materials is included in tuition. The total cost of attending Georgia State will be roughly: $40,000 That is if I complete the entire program in only two years. The remainder would be added expense.

Computer
The computer cost is a wash, I plan on buying a new computer (more on that later) prior to beginning regardless. Total: $1,500.00

Transportation
I work every day in Buckhead (North Atlanta). I would have to drive up to the perimeter each day of courses at the Peachtree-Dunwoody campus of Georgia State. Georgia Tech's campus is in Mid Town, which just so happens to be on my way home.

Curriculum Comparison

Time Per Week in Classes

Georgia State meets every Tuesday and every other Thursday from 5:30 PM to 9:45 PM during the spring and fall semesters, and both Tuesday and Thursday during the summer.

Georgia Tech meets three hours a week for every class you are enrolled. I would estimate I would be taking six credit hours a week.

The main difference is Georgia State’s lockstep program demands three courses per semester in Fall and Spring (only two in the summer), which is a bit more rigorous than Tech’s more flexible approach.

Core Courses Comparison:

Georgia State University
3 Hours Managing in the Global Economy
3 Hours Strategic Business Communications
3 Hours Financial Statement Analysis
3 Hours Legal Environment: Ethics & Corporate Governance
3 Hours Competing on Analytics & Organizational Knowledge
3 Hours Managerial Control and Costing Systems
3 Hours Corporate Finance
3 Hours Marketing Management
3 Hours Operations Management
3 Hours Organizational Behavior
3 Hours Negotiations
3 Hours Global Competitive Strategy
36 Hours Total

Georgia Tech Curriculum
3 Hours Analytical Tools for Decision Support
1 Hours Business Communications
1 Hours Business Ethics
1.5 Hours Financial Accounting
3 Hours Financial Management
2 Hours Information Technology Management
1 Hours Integrative Management Experience
3 Hours Leadership and Organizational Behavior
2 Hours Legal Environment of Business
1.5 Hours Macroeconomic Environment of Business
1.5 Hours Managerial Accounting
1.5 Hours Managerial Economics
3 Hours Marketing Management
3 Hours Operations Management
2 Hours Strategic Management
30 Hours Total

Electives

While neither of the programs offers a “concentration”, both give students the opportunity to take the electives they choose.

State’s classes at the satellite locations, vote for the next semester electives, majority wins. If your preferred elective is not offered at your primary location you have the option of taking the classes at a different location. This helps you gear the degree toward your interests.

Georgia Tech is a part time program, all the courses offered in the day are offered at night as well. If it doesn’t fit in your schedule, the option is available to take a couple classes at different times, i.e. during the day, to meet your needs.

GSU offers 12 hours of electives of the total 48 hours of courses. Tech offers 24 hours of electives (three must be an International Business Elective) of the total 54 hours of courses.

Review

State’s program is essentially a 3:3:2 program (9 hours: 9 hours: 6 hours) and Tech is 2:2:2 (6 hours: 6 hours: 6 hours). Doing the basic math of 24 credits a year for State and 18 credits a year for Tech. State would finish in two years and Tech in three years.

Although based on the interview I had, it seems most finish the Professional MBA in seven or eight semesters. At the information session for Tech, because of flexibility in scheduling (take three classes in a semester occasionally if needed or desired), most students finish right at the three-year mark.

So Tech’s program is a little longer than State. State’s Professional MBA is ranked #7 for part time programs. Tech’s overall MBA is ranked #29 and #7 in innovative curriculum. State has an excellent regional network and reputation. Tech on the other hand is well known worldwide.

Accepted to Georgia Tech

Accepted to Georgia Tech:

I am very pleased to report that I have been accepted to Georgia Technical Institute’s Evening MBA program for the Spring Semester of 2010. I am beyond excited. This entire process has very much reminded me of undergraduate admissions.

Finally, I have a choice between two very reputable MBA programs. I get to choose my destiny. There is something very rewarding about only applying to two programs and getting into both.

Curious about the length of time between application submission and notification of admission?

I submitted my application electronically on September 13, 2009. Tech received my GMAT scores on September 17, 2009. I was invited to an interview on October 5, 2009. I was notified of my acceptance on October 6, 2009. The entire process for Georgia Tech took 19 days (six of which were weekend days). Tech, just like GSU, is very efficient in the application process. It is possible I would have been notified earlier of the decision, if my work schedule had accommodated an early time slot for my interview. Alas, it didn’t, but it is still very nice to know, I now have a choice for my MBA institution.

Now, I have a decision to make. I have to look at curriculum and affordability to choose the program that is the best fit for me.

Whom Did I Select For My Letters of Recommendation?

Whom Did I Select For My Letters of Recommendation? I am four years removed from undergraduate coursework. I find it to be very difficult to find solid recommendations for applications. I didn't want to use a current coworker for a couple reasons. 1. We are a pretty small firm. I really like my job, my boss, and my coworkers. I do not want to leave the business. Worrying others about my choice to pursue an MBA doesn't seem like a wise choice. Again, since I do not want to leave my job 2. It is my personal time used to get an advance degree, I am earning for myself. 3. I like my job. I don't want added pressure during an already stressful time. This is the place I intend to work for the next 3 – 5 years. I worked for Hilton Hotels Corporation for two and a half years after college, that time was only interrupted by a five-month stint with a LongHorn Restaurant in Ocala, Florida. The work history story goes like this:

I was hired by the Director of Sales, and worked two years with him in Gainesville, Florida. Mass Mutual of Omaha owned the physical building in Gainesville and the Management Contract for employees was with Hilton Hotel Corporation (HHC). The General Manager did such a great job; the owners were able to sell the building and assets for a very large profit only seven years after it was built. Mass Mutual sold to the highest bidder, a company called Benchmark Hospitality. Benchmark is an Asset Holding and Management Company. The Hilton Management contract was not a condition of the sale and was no longer required.* HHC wanted to retain some of its top performing employees; they offered jobs to the Director of Sales, the General Manager, the Revenue Manager, and two Catering Managers. I was left behind, as there were no additional vacancies in the Sales Team at the new property in Atlanta.

I gave my resignation notice to the cancerous coworker who was promoted from within the Sales Team in Gainesville, and took a job with LongHorn (ironically an Atlanta based restaurant in Ocala, Florida). Rare Hospitality (LongHorn Steakhouse and Capital Grill) was ironically going through a similar sale agreement and would soon after become a part of a much larger Orlando based Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden).
When a position opened in Atlanta my former Director called and offered me the job. I left the Restaurant and started again at Hilton, with time bridged from my previous stint of employment. Recommendation #1:

The General Manager of the new property was unfortunately let go prior to my my career change to the Financial Industry (a testament to poor planning by HHC). She liked my work and was willing to write me a Letter of Recommendation. She rehired me without reservation as a testament to my work ethic. I thought she would be the perfect choice.
As an aside: The General Manager is very busy in her current roll at another property. It took some time for her to complete the letter. I noticed I was offered admissions to Georgia State prior to her submitting my Recommendation. I found this fact strange. It can be interpreted that the LOR's are really not too valuable to the selection of candidates for this program.

Recommendation #2:

The Revenue Manager is a good friend and someone I worked very closely with at both properties to produce the most amount of profit for the Hotels. She was willing to write a glowing review for me personally and professionally. State only required two letters. The above two were chosen for both programs. Recommendation #3:

For the additional recommendation required for Tech, I choose the head of the Sales Team at the Atlanta property. Since I took the next step in my career, he and I have become close friends. I know that I could trust him to help.
Notice, I choose all professional references. Taking business courses at the University of Florida is no easy task. All the core courses are offered once per day for 2500 students to attend, if they can't make it they can watch it during a TV replay later that day or via the Internet. There isn't much opportunity to really get to know the professors in such a way they could write glowing recommendations.
* Hotel Management: Hilton Hotels Corporation, based out of Beverly Hills, Ca, is both a Management Company and an Asset Company. They sold most of the Hotels they owned in order to gain enough liquid assets to purchase Hilton International (yes, Hilton International was a separate company from Hilton Domestic). As a condition of the sale of the properties they owned, they required the Management contract to remain with HHC. At the time of my employment at Hilton Atlanta Airport, Hilton owned only 17 properties. Every property Hilton owns is managed by HHC.

If you bought a hotel building today, you would have a couple different options. 1. You could pay to have HHC manage your property. In doing so, you are asking Hilton Management to make your property function the way Conrad Hilton intended. 2. You could try and manage the property yourself. With this option, you pay Hilton Hotels Corp to have the right to call your property a Hilton. All Hilton Franchises are required to have certain characteristics to keep the flag, you must have these core competencies in place. 3. You could pay another, third party, to manage the property. They also have to adhere to the policies of Hilton to keep the flag, but usually they are cheaper than having Hilton Hotels Corp Manage the property.

These third party companies, like Benchmark, are usually Asset holding companies, and similar to Hilton owning the building and using its own Management teams, the third Party company could purchase the building as it is sold and institute it's own management team. If you work for a third party management company, although you work at a Hilton, you are not a Hilton Employee. You are a Benchmark employee. When the management contract is sold, in theory so is your career.

Phew... the quick and dirty hotel story.

Awarded Interview with Georgia State

Awarded Interview with Georgia State

I was invited for and scheduled an interview via email with Georgia State University. Showed up perfectly on time sporting a charcoal suit with a French cuff shirt. We discussed the program: GSU offers a “lockstep” program, which is very good for the anal retentive, extremely organized personality like myself. It means that you take all the core courses on a designated time schedule, which guarantees completion of the program in about two years. Then your class votes on electives offered the following term. You can take those electives or go to a different location and take courses that are better suited for my career goals. Seems like they have this pretty well figured out.

Next my work experience: What I do for a living: I spoke about how I have knowledge of a specific niche in the financial industry (more on that later). How I can contribute to class discussions. The interviewer told me I had a strong resume. I will take that as a completely positive statement.

What I expect of the program. The interviewer pointed out that I would be on the young side in terms of the other students, which I expected for a program that averages six years of work experience and I have only four. When he spoke of the next steps in the process his tone, led me to believe I was a strong candidate for acceptance.

Due to the rolling admissions, the interviewer told me that the admissions committee would be meeting the following day to make a decision on my status, and I would most likely hear something once they adjourn.

We walked through a checklist for topics covered. Checked everything off. All in all it was a roughly thirty minute interview, and I left fairly confident, and happy a decision would be coming my way soon.

I could definitely see myself in this program.

Essay Thought Process

Essay Thought Process

I applied to Georgia State University’s Professional MBA and Georgia Tech’s Evening MBA as discussed in a previous post. I applied for these programs, because I wanted to start right away. Both have a similar deadline October 1 and October 2 respectfully, both start in the spring, and I can use essentially the same essays for both.

Now, don’t scoff at the last reason, I think it is perhaps the most important. It is very hard to have a life, write essays, and work full time. I used my commute to jot notes, and got to work early to put to the notes to work in drafts of the essays. Probably took me a solid week to write esach and another to edit them for use. Is this the “perfect path” to writing essays? Of course not, preferably, I would have three months of preparation and four versions of the essays with different approaches and directions. Instead, I will tell you my thought process.

Georgia Tech Essay Question One Creative Writing:
If you could host a dinner party and invite any four people, either living or dead, whom would you invite and what would the five of you discuss together? There is no right answer concerning dinner guests; rather, we want you to be creative and thoughtful in your response.

My beautiful girlfriend (LM) is a huge music nut. She has really introduced me to music. My car radio is always on 680TheFan, a local sports talk radio channel here in Atlanta. She suggested John Lennon, a very good fit as my first guest. I went to my good friends Steve and Sam’s condo, to watch the Florida State Miami game and Steve suggested Arnold Schwarzenegger (which I now know how to spell) because of my love for weightlifting and fitness. Arnold doubled as a Conservative to counter Lennon’s "Liberalness". And from there I got Muhammad Ali (my poetic athlete) and Sam and LM collaborated on J.K. Rowling, a modern day writer.

Once I had my four guests, I was able to come up with topics and how each would react… Took me a few days…

Due to my duffus move of incorrectly reading the word limit of 4000 as 400, I was able to write an inadvertently brief, albeit content packed essay.

Georgia Tech Essay Question Two Traditional Question:
Describe how your experience, both professional and personal, has led you to the decision to pursue an MBA at Georgia Tech. How does this decision relate to your future career goals?

A very traditional essay topic, I decided to go in a different direction; putting myself into the future.

Georgia Tech Optional Essay:
(Optional) The admissions Committee believes that the required essays address issues that are important in learning about you and in understanding your candidacy for the MBA program. However, you may provide us with any information pertinent to your admission that has not been covered in the rest of the application. Feel free to discuss any unique aspects of your candidacy or any perceived weakness.

Aha, as discussed in a previous post my GPA in undergrad was average at best. Here is the time when I would try and describe my life, my interests, and my inadequate GPA, all in my self-created 400-word limit.

Once the essays were written, I knew I could apply to the two schools on the top of my list, since Georgia States only essay required was the same as Georgia Tech’s essay about expectations and also had an optional essay. Copy and Paste! Be sure to change Georgia Tech to Georgia State… And presto! Two applications finished.

That’s it for now. With rolling admissions, I should be able to postpone any more applications until I hear back from my first two school options.

Essay 3 - Georgia Tech Optional Essay

(Optional) The admissions Committee believes that the required essays address issues that are important in learning about you and in understanding your candidacy for the MBA program. However, you may provide us with any information pertinent to your admission that has not been covered in the rest of the application. Feel free to discuss any unique aspects of your candidacy or any perceived weakness.

I find myself staring forward for a split second, focusing on form, trying not to think about the weight. Spotters on both sides of the barbell, ready to intervene if needed. After a quick meditation, using my thumbs I grip the barbell, a familiar routine. As I stare at the ceiling I think, "A big day for me." I count aloud, letting the spotters know when to lift. Three, two...ONE.

There I was with 500 pounds held only by my outstretched arms. The bar bends due to the stress of the weight.

I entered college with little insight about my future; the only certainty I believed was that I was going to be an engineer. Yet, I have always struggled with the sciences. I believed myself capable of working through these limitations, striving one day to be passionate about my career. Knowing the ideals of business to be useful, I adopted it as a minor.

With a slow controlled motion, I slowly start lowering the barbell.

The start of my sophomore year, I hit a roadblock: chemistry. My grades suffered and I dreaded attending class. My minor, however, helped me realized how intuitive business classes were for me. After a couple mediocre grades, I changed my major to business. My grades returned to a respectable level.

As the barbell gently touched my chest, the real struggles begin.

Anyone can hold heavy weight at bay for a short period of time, once it's resting on your chest you have to push it away. So much goes through your mind, the physiology of the human body, the chemistry of the muscle pump, the biology of the way the muscle reacts and the way it repairs after.

I began studying bodybuilding. For the first time in my life, I had a passion. I was good at it; I could explain it to everyone whether they wanted to hear it or not. I began questioning my business path. I saw my challenges in the sciences like I saw the weight I was lifting, seemingly impossible, yet with focus achievable.

A couple inches above my chest is my plateau; I pushed right through, this repetition was different.

I could take the science courses needed to get into chiropractic school, complete my business degree and work in healthcare. After a year more of sciences, I realized I enjoy lifting weights and training, however I still dreaded the classes; finally, my epiphany.

My arms locked out and the spotters took the barbell back to the rack.

As I sat on the bench, I realized, I would make my mark in business. Ever since, I have enjoyed the world of business and continued my passion for weight lifting. My GMAT score of 610 combined with my experiences in Sales, Finance and Management have helped to prepare me for the next challenge; repetition number two, a MBA from Georgia Technical Institute.

Essay 2 - Georgia Tech Expectations Essay

Describe how your experience, both professional and personal, has led you to the decision to pursue an MBA at Georgia Tech. How does this decision relate to your future career goals?

8:45 PM EST: "Final boarding call for London- Heathrow departing at 9:15," blares over the loud speaker. I place away my Mac and walk to my seat. Hartsfield Jackson is always so busy, but with focus, I can attend to my work.

10:15 AM EST: "Electronics can now be used in the cabin", such words of comfort. I have a sales pitch for our newest product line. I am meeting with executives for the World Sports Corp to discuss advertising space on their affiliate networks at ten this morning. I email my team, as a few finishing touches need clarification. The person who added wi-fi on airplanes is my hero.

9:20 AM BST: "Put away all electronic equipment", franticly finishing the presentation slide, I pack the Mac.

10:20 AM BST: I exit the plane and hail a cab. Now the real fun begins.

I know within five years of receiving my MBA from Georgia Tech, the above scenario will be a reality.

I have reached a plateau in developing the analytical and management skills necessary to achieve my ultimate career goal of Marketing Director for a Fortune 100. As an actuarial analyst my focus is numbers. I confirm census data and work in computer systems like ProVal and Relius on a daily basis. This is my second career. My first was a Sales Manager with Hilton Hotels Corporation. After three years with Hilton, I felt like it was time to take my career in another direction, finance. After a year of analytical work in a consulting based third party administration firm, I find myself constrained, unable to delve into specifics of pension actuarial work. Due to this dilemma, I have been branching out of traditional analyst responsibilities, working to rebrand our company from a marketing perspective. This side bar to my full time job has fueled me to refocus my career goals.

I believe, based on the financial skill sets needed and regulation implementation from the government, the career of pension actuaries is becoming more limited on a yearly basis. Georgia Tech's MBA will supply me with the skills I need to get into a Marketing Manager position with a Fortune 100 company. No other program in the United States will be able to offer the diversity of international students and faculty that will prepare me for international business relationships.

In the past year as a Retirement Plan Consultant I have been working closely with financial wholesales and fund managers. I have a niche in the Defined Benefit plan market and have an understanding of what drives Financial Advisors. In my previous career, I worked directly in sales, as advisors do. I have managed small teams from the time I graduated college and my results have proven I can motivate team members to achieve set goals. I have gained a vast amount of experience in my professional work. I know I can contribute to your already stellar program. With a MBA from Georgia Technical Institute, within the next eight years, my assistant will be contacting London buyers on my behalf to schedule my international meetings.

Essay 1 - Georgia Tech Creative Essay

If you could host a dinner party and invite any four people, either living or dead, whom would you invite and what would the five of you discuss together? There is no right answer concerning dinner guests; rather, we want you to be creative and thoughtful in your response.

The four people I would invite to a dinner party would be John Lennon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Muhammad Ali and J.K. Rowling. There is much I would like to discuss with my guests. I will guide the conversation from the topics of peace and religion, to art and poetry, as well as politics and acting.

Lennon and Ali were from distinctly different backgrounds but both stood for peace in a violent, war-driven world. Ali was the face of a violent sport, yet, when called upon by the government to fight, stood strongly in his convictions and was arrested for draft dodging. How was he able to withstand the persecution of the American public, as he stood alone? Lennon's music touched individuals spiritually inspiring the masses to protest the war. Lennon and Ali can talk about the influence of their anti-war rhetoric and their role in stimulating peace worldwide.

Lennon and Ali studied with religious mentors seeking peace and guidance. Lennon studied with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to gather a refreshing view of the world as a departure from organized religion. Ali, disgusted with Christianity, changed his religious beliefs, and consequently his name. I would like to understand Lennon's state of mind as he and his companions prepared to play in San Francisco after receiving death threats because of his statements about Christianity. Rowling has openly struggled with her religious beliefs, oft accused of believing in the magic she writes about. The five of us will discuss religious persecution, organized religion and alternate belief systems.

John released a book on poetry and his livelihood came from generating emotion in those who listened to him. Rowling also developed a unique style of writing. Ali, although brash, used the written word to articulate his emotions in a uniquely poetic way. Schwarzenegger was the first body builder to incorporate music into his routines, ever since all others have followed his lead. Rowling has inspired legions of children to begin reading; doing for writing what Arnold, Ali and Lennon had done for their respective mediums. I believe art invokes thought; how do my dinner guests define art?

As a teenager, I began to recognize Lennon's polarizing position as an activist. He worked to invoke change as political outsider. Arnold opted to run for Governor in an effort to change policy from the inside. How would they discuss their strikingly different political agendas? With the past 30 years as an example, how does Lennon, the only guest no longer alive, view the world today? Are we essentially in the same place? Does he feel like his generation was able to spark the change in politics intended?

Arnold's action movies brought a focus to science fiction, a genre Rowling has successfully exploited. How would their experiences in acting and writing compare to that of Lennon? I believe these four individuals, three of which are of foreign descent, have helped define the last 50 years of American culture. All four individuals have influenced art, sports and politics and their contributions are rivaled by few. After discussing the topics above, with a satisfied smile, I would return the focus to the meal.