Scott Steever, UVA Darden MBA Class of 2020
Age: 25
Hometown: Medfield, MA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Miami, biomedical engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 3.5 years, medical devices (sales)
Why business school? Why now? After school, I fell in love with the business side of healthcare and medical devices, although felt that my scope was somewhat limited. As a device sales rep, I loved the strategy side of creating business plans, both for my team and for my surgeon clients. However, I wanted to take a larger role, and saw first-hand the impending changes to the healthcare system that would affect all parties (payor/provider/tech).
So, I saw it as the perfect time to springboard back into school to refine my analytical toolkit, the piece of the puzzle that was missing. Additionally, what better place to learn from other backgrounds, industries, and cultures, than at a place that values them like Darden does, and brings it out through the curriculum.
Why Darden? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? Darden was an easy choice for me. I viewed business school as more than just a step to the next level, but as a place to go and transform your way of thinking, and Darden was the school that best prepares any student to do this. Darden pushes every student to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and taking an informed stance on issues you are not 100 percent sure of. It is a clear differentiator of what truly makes tomorrow’s leaders effective in a world of surrounded by noise—and a place where I am reaffirmed in my decision every day I walk to school.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020? I like to think I make an effort to make sure every voice and every perspective gets heard. In a classroom like Darden’s where the intensity is ramped up to 100 percent, and hard stances are taken every class, it can be easy to run with a single thought. But something that I love about our class, is that with the various impressive backgrounds and talent brought in everyday, you will learn something you never expected to from your classmates who approached a problem from a completely different angle.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I am no longer the genius I claimed to be investing in Bitcoin when I submitted my application last September.
Post-MBA career interests? Management consulting with a long-term focus on venture capital. Really looking to help change the face of tomorrow through the intersection of business and expanding technology and healthcare across the globe.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Absolutely would reach out to alumni of the school, maybe with similar backgrounds or similar industry experience. Also don’t be afraid to ask completely candid questions. If they are unwilling to respond or are turned off by candor, it may be signs of an issue with fit at that school. But in more cases than not, the alumni will be willing to fill you in with any missing blanks of the school you might have.
–One thing you would change or do differently? I can’t stress this enough. Visit schools and try to experience a real day-in-the-life before you decide on choosing where you want to apply, then visit again and do the whole process over again. Fit is everything, and will make your interviewing and essays a whole lot easier when you know exactly why you want to go to a school and can provide concrete examples.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The waiting for interview releases/decision releases. This is the most stressful time of any application process. Shut down your computer, silence your phone, and focus on whatever it is you’re doing that day. Set a time when you will look, schools are not going to rescind offers because you didn’t pick up the phone. You will save sanity and maybe even manage to be productive.
–What is your initial impression of Darden’s students/culture/community? The Darden community is an unbelievable thing. It really becomes a way of life around here. Teachers, students, and C’ville natives alike are all on the same page of trying to help you be your best self. That’s not to say the Darden community isn’t rigorous by any reason. The curriculum is challenging, and will put your feet to the fire, but not a single person I know hasn’t thrived in the setting. It’s meant to put every student in the best chance to lead in an uncertain world.
One thing you have learned about Darden that has surprised you? The integration of professors into the student social scene. Never in my undergraduate experience would I see professors out on the basketball court or soccer field being more aggressive than the students. It just goes to show how natural the whole process is here—everything just feels normal until you tell someone outside of Darden about it.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? Recruiting, hands down. Lots of question marks and a lot of groupthink. It’s important to stick to your guns and know who you are and why you are recruiting for what you are, when there is a lot of noise around you from your classmates recruiting different positions and hearing back on different timelines.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year? Winning Darden Cup. Every year each section puts forth an effort to beat out the others in various athletic and fun events to take home bragging rights and the Darden Cup. Rumor has it Section A is bringing home the bacon, yet again.
