Chess Pundit

I can identify. I got back into chess briefly in 1996 - 1997. Then, in 1998, I started my MBA program and that fully monopolized my time until 2000. However, once I finished, the hunger for chess returned. A difficult job situation in 2002 put chess on the backburner yet again, but since 2004 I've been fully back into it.
 

Oh, and I forgot! Good luck in your school search. Do you have it narrowed down to a few schools. Have you taken the GMAT? I scored a 640 on it, but I have a cousin who scored like a 680 or something.
 

I scored the same as you. (Great minds think alike). I've already been accept to University of Texas and start in August. Where did you go to school and what do you do now?

Another thing I didn't mention was the nice weather. It's tough to play chess inside a hotel with gorgeous weather outside. I noticed my peak ratings for 2005 & 2006 (so far) have been in/around late March.

I will try to study up and play hard, but if I loose/draw too many games to be in contention, I'll withdraw and enjoy the remainder of my long weekend. (It's a 7 round tournament!).
 

I worked full time when I got my MBA, so I stayed local and went to Illinois State University. Not the most prestigious or demanding school, so I had to enforce some extra rigor on myself to get full benefit. Anyhoo, I work as a financial analyst in the corporate world.