And you thought the last one was expensive ...

This is the second chronicle in my journey to business school, the promised sequel to Drapier vs. GMAT.

No longer am I climbing the mountain simply because it's there. This time I'm trying to gain admission to some of the most selective business schools in the world- and in so doing, change the course of my career.

As you might expect, I'll use this blog to churn through my thoughts about applying. But to make this a truly meaningful journal, I'll first have to justify my quest.

It's the first logical question, after all ... why risk a thousand-plus dollars in application fees (which can run as high as $245 per school), months of my life, decades of reference capital, the ire of my current employer, and untold trauma to my ego and psyche? Beyond that, why spend nearly six figures on tuition, fees, and living expenses and forgo 22 months of income? If I can't answer these questions with astoundingly sane answers, I'll leap off this crazy train and save myself from making a very very expensive mistake.

Assuming I hammer out rock solid reasons, I'll likely post information on some schools, including which schools I hope to attend (and why), my thoughts on each school's process, and (if I have the chance) my experience visiting these schools. If I'm lucky enough to get an acceptance letter from more than one of my targets, I imagine I'll also share my thoughts on choosing between (or, hope-against-hope, among) my options.

I'll also share my tentative plans for the months before matriculation (Here's a hint: it involves an expensive plane ticket and several months away from home.)

Beyond those goals, I'll let this blog evolve into whatever I need it to be. Be prepared for anything from crushing rejection letters and expense-induced hyperventilation to unbridled elation and spontaneous break dancing. As always, feel free to post your thoughts.

I've set my sights on an August '08 start date. I have five months before my first applications are due ... game on.