Cristian Amaechi Morton, OSU Fisher’s MBA Class of 2023
Age: 31
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Stanford University – B.A. Science, Technology, and Society & B.A. Iberian and Latin American Cultures
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 8 Years, Professional Track and Field Athlete
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to go to business school because I was ready for a career switch. I knew retirement from my sport was right around the corner and wanted to make a switch into brand marketing or consulting, but lacked the general experience. I felt business school was/is the best way to increase my business acumen and truly prepare me and catapult me to be successful in the business world. Also it is a way for me to increase my network and just become an overall better person/professional. In addition, it is the opportunity to leverage my past experiences as a professional athlete and connect it with whatever field I decide to pursue.
Why did you choose OSU Fisher? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose OSU for a few reasons:
1. The opportunity to personalize my degree. As I have so many interests I didn’t want to be pigeonholed and want the opportunity to further explore those interest.
2. I wanted to be at a school with a huge athletic department and OSU has one of the biggest in the NCAA. This was because of the opportunity to work and gain experience within the athletic department was very attractive.
3. The small class size really attracted me.
4. Financial Aid
The factors that were most prominent to my decision were financial aid, location, and employment stats.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
I believe I bring a unique perspective due to my background as a professional athlete. We are immersed into the performance and administration side of things. In addition, my ability to connect, aspire, and inspire.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am interested in Brand Management and Consulting, with a focus in the world of sports
What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I loved the interviewing process. I feel like it gave me a better opportunity to prove why I am a great candidate. People say it is stressful, but to me it was quite entertaining.
What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would definitely start the process a little sooner. I applied to 6 schools through the Consortium and a few others outside of the Consortium. I was not aware of how much work goes into just one application.
What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I could definitely skip the GRE. I do not feel it is a true indicator of how successful I can be as a student. Keeping my eyes on the prize got me through it. I only took it once and I did not receive the score I was aiming for, but I told myself I CANNOT sit through the exam again, Once I decided that, I was really able to focus on my overall candidacy. As I always tell my friends, “lo que está pa ti, nadie te lo quita” which translates to “whatever is for you, no one can take that away”, not even the GRE.
What is your initial impression of the OSU Fisher students/culture/community?
I honestly feel that people here at Fisher (students and staff) are super friendly and genuinely want the best for you. I was impressed by the friendliness. It truly is a collaborative and comfortable environment.
What is one thing you have learned about OSU Fisher that has surprised you?
I cant think of anything off the top of my head.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
COVID did not really affect my admissions process.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am most anxious to start choosing my elective courses.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to see how much I have learned at the end of the year. I am also excited to see where I and my colleagues end up for our summer internships.
