Jorge Colindres, Tuck MBA Class of 2020
Age: 28
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Boston University, Political Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 6 years in tech
Why business school? Why now?
I’ve spent my entire professional career working in the same industry and in the same capacity (engineering). At the same time, I’ve always felt an entrepreneurial fire burning within and have long known that I want to start my own company at some point. I felt that I had drawn everything I could from my current career and that it was time to take the next step toward running a business. An MBA provides not only a platform for change, but an also opportunity to learn business fundamentals and develop important relationships that I could leverage in the future, both personally and professionally.
Why Tuck? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Tuck was always toward the top of my list, even before I started applications. I knew that I wanted to go to a school that emphasized community and togetherness. That’s what initially drew me to Tuck. After learning more, however, I discovered how balanced Tuck is in so many ways. The class is made up of people from all industries, has the best gender equity of top U.S. MBA programs, and substantial minority and international representation. Coming from a fairly homogeneous industry, I wanted to be exposed to different points of view and backgrounds, and I wanted to do so while having the opportunity to really connect with people. Of all the schools I had the fortune to consider upon acceptance, Tuck was unambiguously the best match. I sincerely felt that from within.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
I’ve worked at very early-stage companies and have been a part of bootstrapping teams and projects from inception. That small-scale, high-impact experience is the most valuable thing I’ll bring with me to Tuck.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I once successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on my younger sister.
Post-MBA career interests?
Technology and entrepreneurship.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talking to current students was the absolute best way for me to get a genuine understanding of each MBA program’s culture. Through that process, I was able to identify which programs were going to allow me to go through my MBA experience with a group of individuals that would best challenge and support me along the way.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Because Tuck was always high on my list, I prioritized visiting the Tuck campus before applying. My time in Hanover was a major influence on my decision to ultimately enroll at Tuck. I didn’t, however, get a chance to visit many other schools.
If I had the opportunity to go back one year, I would’ve visited more schools. I believe I would’ve arrived at the same conclusion, that Tuck is right for me, but it would’ve been a more enjoyable and clearer process throughout. I think visiting more schools would’ve helped me to narrow down my initial application list and ease my enrollment decision.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Not surprising, I absolutely would have skipped studying for the GMAT/GRE if I could have. In general, the material isn’t overly difficult, but I found that in order to obtain the score I wanted I had to spend a lot of time practicing test-taking, a skill that I don’t rate highly and a practice that isn’t even remotely stimulating.
What is your initial impression of Tuck’s students/culture/community?
The Tuck community is incredibly welcoming. Faculty and staff are exceedingly supportive and eager to make sure my experience, as well as that of my classmates, is the best it can be. Furthermore, it’s quite often that I find myself talking to people who are so happy to be here. Coming to Tuck is self-selecting, so when you get here you’ll find a lot of school pride and an immediate bond over the decision to spend two years in the woods together.
One thing you have learned about Tuck that has surprised you?
I’ve found that the number of students that come to Tuck with entrepreneurship in mind for careers immediately post-MBA isn’t large, but that those who do are very serious and committed to it. Moreover, I would say that as an individual interested in entrepreneurship here, you end up with more support from faculty and staff and with better access to resources than what you might expect.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Balancing the number of things that get thrown your way. Though it’s early days, it seems to be true – there’s so much you can do at Tuck. It’ll be important to strike the right balance between academic, social, and recruiting events, along with personal matters outside of Tuck.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m really looking forward to working on my First-Year Project and getting involved in club leadership.
