Jacques Li, Cambridge Judge MBA Class of 2019
Age: 28
Hometown: Paris
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Paris Est, Doctor of Medicine
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry
Why business school? Why now?
After acquiring the technical skills and knowledge that are part of my medical education, I decided to embark on the Cambridge MBA to hone my leadership skills. Prior to my MBA, I was in a 4-year rotational programme which ended in late August. I had to figure out what to do next; the MBA was on top of my list.
Why Judge? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
A lot of things weighed in on my decision! I only applied to a few schools which I would genuinely be excited to attend. After receiving the admission offers, 3 majors factors tipped the balance. First, Judge is a business school embedded in one of the best universities in the world with a unique collegiate system allowing unlimited interaction with other departments of the University of Cambridge.
Second, there is a truly collaborative spirit in Cambridge. Of all the schools I researched, Cambridge was the one with the friendliest alumni, students, and staff. The sense of community is extremely strong here. Finally, I had a very positive feeling during my interview weekend. I could easily project myself living in this city.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
I am extremely flexible. I can work with people of any nationality or background, hence I believe I can enhance team cohesion.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I sent an email to the sitting French Minister of Health asking her to be part of the jury that was going to assess my M.D. thesis. She replied with a hand-written letter apologizing for declining my offer because of her tight schedule.
Post-MBA career interests?
In the short term, I would like to transition to either business development for a biotech company or strategy consulting for a few years. Then, I would like to move into VC or a middle or senior management position in a biotech depending on the opportunities offered to me.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Applying early. In Cambridge, every student has to apply to one of the 31 Colleges. Some Colleges are in very high demand, as a result, later-round applicants are sometimes unable to secure a spot in the first choice.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Being more prepared for my interview. Some of the questions caught me off guard. My interviewer thoroughly read my application file and dug quite deep in my past experiences and my motivations. I strongly advise applicants invited for the interview to review their application essays prior to the interview and to be prepared to constructively argue their opinion.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The application process was overall very pleasant. It makes you reflect on yourself in a positive way.
What is your initial impression of Judge’s students/culture/community?
Again, it is a very collaborative community. This confirms my previous feelings about the JBS.
One thing you have learned about Judge that has surprised you?
We can eat and sleep in our library 24/7.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The Cambridge MBA is a compact one-year programme. I am pretty sure that I will not be able to do everything that is on my bucket list. Being a Cambridge MBA gives you more exposure you can handle. Having a good night of sleep or going to one of the 3 cool events that are concurrently happening on the Campus or in the Colleges is a choice we often have to face.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Getting to know everybody in my class! The Cambridge cohort is brilliant by its diversity, not only in terms of citizenship or industry but also in terms of personality, passion, age, religion… everybody has a great story to tell.
Clear Admit Resources
As you work on your Judge MBA essays and application, we encourage you to consider all of Clear Admit’s offerings:
- Cambridge / Judge Profile on the Clear Admit website: up-to-date advice and admissions information
- Clear Admit LiveWire: admissions updates submitted in real time by applicants to Judge
- Clear Admit DecisionWire: school selections in real-time by admits to Judge
