Giving serious thought to Hariot Watt

I'm pretty sure it was a blend.

 

Yes, 'tis a blend. We still have a bit left.

Amusing Heriot-Watt fact #17.

We had a fair number of students or potential students who asked about famous graduates of the university. We put the question to the alumni office, which said that their were the usual number of distinguished (but not famous) people: heads of some major corporations, a former vice chancellor of MIT, the crown prince of Norway, etc. Then the chap smiled and said, "But alas our most famous graduate doesn't really exist." Turns out that somewhere in the Ian Fleming oeuvre, it is revealed that James Bond went to Heriot-Watt -- just the thing you'd expect of a high-tech Scottish spy.

 

Another Amusing fact (As told by the head of the university during our graduation ceremony.)

"No matter where you are in the world, if you find that you are in need of some assistance, go to the nearest brewery or distillery. There are Heriot-Watt graduates working at every major brewery and distillery in the world."

 

We used to be friendly with the Heriot-Watt alumnus who was the manager of the Crabby's Green Ginger Wine distillery in Edinburgh. We still have the bottle he gave us 10 years ago, with about 3 swallows used up. Some of the strangest-tasting stuff I've ever put willingly into my mouth.

Another thing for which Heriot-Watt is very well known (in a very narrow field) is horizontal well drilling. They developed and refined the technology that can drill extremely long horizontal wells. This was often utilized by Red Adair and other specialists in putting out oil rig fires.

 

After mulling it over for a couple of weeks and investigating numerous other programs, I think I'm going to dive in (or bite the bullet, whichever is most appropriate) and order the MSc in Marketing courses from EBS.

The courses in this program apply most to what I do for a living. I looked at other corporate communications and public relations programs, but they basically deal more with media communications theory, communications law and quantitative research methods than they do with marketing, sales, customer relations and marketing communications, which are my main areas of interest. The EBS program should meet my needs quite well.

My plan is to finish the current semester at Penn Foster College (I'm in the second semester), apply to both TESC and Excelsior and see which gives me the most transfer credit (I have about 90 credits worth of media and journalism courses under my belt) and finish my general education requirements through CLEP. I should be able to wrap up my BA requirements in a couple of months through testing. After that, I will begin purchasing the EBS courses. I could just order the EBS courses now, but I'd like to have the BA (in Communications) anyway. I plan to take about two years to finish the EBS courses, and there is a testing center within a short drive of my home.

I know the exams from EBS are notoriously tough, but I'm actually looking forward to the challenge.

 

I think you will enjoy the graduation ceremony in Edinburgh. Are you in Florida? EBS Americas sometimes has information sessions and alumni receptions in Miami.

 

No, I'm in Oklahoma. Do I understand correctly that attending the graduation ceremony in Edinburgh is mandatory in order to be conferred a degree?

 

If it is mandatory...what an enjoyable experience it would be! Start saving now

 

During the time of my involvement, at least, the names of all graduands were called out during the ceremony, but if they did not respond, the degree was awarded in absentia.

The winter graduation was a more formal one, at the auld downtown buildings; the summer one more informal, on the lawns, with strolling violins, and strawberries and cream.

 

No, it is not mandatory, but it is a fun time!

 

I would probably go anyway. I've always wanted to visit the U.K. It's one of the few European countries I have never visited. A return to Italy is also on my "to do" list.

 

Did you ever make a decision to choose Heriot? I have been considering attempting one of their courses while finishing up my BS but after weighing the good, the bad, and the ugly I just can't seem to decide. My main concern is how US employers view this in comparison to domestic MBA's. I read Mr. Bear's posts but I am just concerned that the acceptance level would be lower than domestic MBA's.

 

I haven't decided yet, mainly because I'm still working on my BA, so I have time. I'm still considering Heriot-Watt, but I'm also thinking of attending a part-time B&M program in my own backyard which has a great sticker price. I also haven't decided if I will try for an MBA, or an MA in Communications or Public Relations instead. Right now I'm leaning toward MBA because the PR programs are all so expensive.