Santiago Gamboa Peralta, Kelley MBA Class of 2022
Age: 30
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administracion – CESA. Bachelor of business administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 6 years, Investment banking and financial consulting
Why business school? Why now?
I have always been extremely fond of medicine and healthcare, to the point that I attended med school for six semesters before realizing that treating patients was not something I was up to for the rest of my life. Nonetheless, that passion for the sector never abandoned me while I pursued undergraduate studies in business administration, and today, after almost six years in financial consulting, I envision myself returning to that passion from the business perspective. This is what led me to pursue an MBA at this point in my career, the will to transition industry as well as advance into a position with more seniority and client exposure.
Why Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There were many factors included in the decision, some were objective, and others were from the gut. During my campus visit, I felt an immediate connection with Kelley, a charming feeling of contrasts, seriousness, and warmth from students, faculty, and staff. The collaborative environment is felt as soon as you step on campus, and the program offers two unique features: the Me, Inc program, a unique leadership program with its focus on self-knowledge will allow me to align my personal and professional goals. The Plus Life Sciences program, which aligns with my objective of pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. I also loved the possibility of exploring fields I am not too familiar with, for example, capital markets, entrepreneurship, and supply chain and operations.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
Truth be told, I don’t know. Every single one of us brings a different perspective and experience. I think in that sense I bring a different perspective being one of the two Latin-Americans joining this year’s cohort.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I consider myself an amateur historian with a specific interest in the two world wars.
Post-MBA career interests?
Healthcare or healthcare consulting
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Visit the universities, get a sense of the culture. Whether it would be a good fit for you and if you see yourself living two years in the town where the university is located.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started studying earlier for the GMAT
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT, my sister helped me through it by being supportive and pushy she was looking for a career in consulting at the time so we studied together.
What is your initial impression of Kelley’s students/culture/community?
Ever since I arrived I knew that I had done the right decision. Every one of my classmates gives something different to the class, the different backgrounds, and life experiences as well as working together have made this experience special. Kelley’s culture is that of collaboration and help, a lot of schools will tell you that but I sensed it here since my first encounter with the recruiters back at home, it was reinforced during my visit to campus and I am now experiencing it first-hand every-single day as we as classmates and the broader MBA community navigate these bizarre times in order to get out as much as we can from this experience in these unprecedented times.
One thing you have learned about Kelley that has surprised you?
The thing that has surprised me the most is the cohesion that we have been able to create as a class even under these circumstances. The admissions team does a great job of making sure that we are all good representatives of Kelley and the Kelley Culture. I knew that the school was known for its collaborative environment and “help among peers” environment, however, after meeting both my classmates and the second years my expectations have been surpassed.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The uncertainty related to COVID in general. At first, it did not seem that I was going to be able to arrive in the country on time and live the experience as much as I wanted to. I was fortunate enough to arrive before the classes actually started which was almost unbelievable. Then there was the fear of getting shut down and going completely virtual.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The opportunity of meeting new people, making new friends, learning on a daily basis, and having the opportunity of living, studying, and working abroad.
