Erin Robert Frey, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2023
Age: 28
Hometown: Harwood, Maryland
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Dartmouth College, Neuroscience
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Six years, Entrepreneurship (Forbes 30 Under 30 Founder of a Y Combinator backed CPG D2C Ecommerce company)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After six years building a company (Frey.com) from the ground up with my brother, I wanted to try something different and potentially more related to what I had studied in college. I wanted to be exposed to new ideas and potentially co-founders, while building foundational knowledge to solidify the infrastructure on which to build future companies to new heights.
Why did you choose LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Since I’m striving to brainstorm new ideas, I wanted to be in an environment where I could be immersed in new perspectives from around the world. For this, London Business School stands out compared to U.S. schools since, in addition to having a class representing about 70 countries, about 92% of students are international. Compared to U.S. schools, this is extraordinary. Additionally, by attending one of the best non-U.S. schools in the world, it will help expand my network internationally, which I hope to leverage for either my current or future companies.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
I believe that I have more entrepreneurship experience than the vast majority of people and I know what it takes to build a company from the ground up. I spent three years building my company by hand with my brother on a bootstrapped budget (starting in our basement) before we eventually were accepted to Y Combinator, raised money to expand and eventually made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I once had an investor put me on Facetime video with Shaquille O’Neal.
Post-MBA career interests:
I want to launch another company, potentially more related to my other interests. Biotech, health tech, mental health and general innovation all are fascinating to me.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would talk to students who had been to LBS before. It really opened my eyes to how international the school is, both in terms of student diversity as well as the ability to travel to other places.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I consider LBS a success, so I don’t know how much, if anything, I would change, but I do think that getting a full admissions consulting package would probably have made the application process easier.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped out on waiting to hear back about whether I got an interview or not. There is no point worrying if you put your best foot forward.
What is your initial impression of LBS’ students/culture/community?
Everyone is incredibly welcoming and accepting. No matter your interests, it seems you can find a community of people to engage in them together. It seems like a place where people can thrive.
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
Within LBS clubs, there is more interaction with people outside of the MBA programme (e.g. MiMs and MiFs).
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
I was very uncertain if I wanted to go to business school at this point in time. However, I am glad that upon arriving here, after quarantining, there are few limitations on group activities aside from basic protocols such as wearing masks in classrooms.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I have a background that is quite different from other people here, so I was uncertain how challenging some of the classes would be for me compared to people from other backgrounds. So far though, I have not seen evidence that my anxiety is necessary.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I love being exposed to new ideas and perspectives, so I look forward to brainstorming future entrepreneurial endeavors and opportunities with people.
